The Role Of Zeus In The Odyssey

Hermes: A Kind, Strategic Thief Throughout multiple mythical stories, Hermes possesses several different characteristics. He is known primarily as the messenger of the gods; however, he appears in several stories performing different tasks. Throughout mythology, Hermes possesses both negative and positive personality traits; he is portrayed as a cunning thief, an intelligent, strategic god and a respectful, kind warrior during the Trojan War. Thieves often ask for Hermes’ guidance, as he was a thief from the first day he was born.

Two female characters are Penelope and Athena. Penelope is the beautiful wife of Odysseus. She hasn't seen her husband for twenty years and fears he is dead. She is pursued by many suitors who wish to take Odysseus' place. She weeps for Odysseus nightly. Some criticize that she doesn't kick the suitors out of her home because she likes attention. However, she has been without her husband for so long while he has been entertained by goddesses. If she wanted a little attention, then that would not be such a horrible thing. Nevertheless, she remains steadfast in her faithfulness to her husband. She even puts off the suitors using trickery that would make her husband proud, promising to remarry once she has finished weaving a shroud for Laertes,

He used his tact to sway delicate situations in his favor and flatter those who had him at their mercy. Using his resilience, he persevered on his journey until the very end, willing to suffer great cruelties simply to continue homeward. This resilience left him as the sole survivor of his crew after a series of tests put forth by the gods, and it allowed him to reunite with his family. Odysseus used his cunning to deceive enemies and friends alike, spinning an intricate web of lies and transforming himself at his will. These are the qualities that make Odysseus an epic hero, and they are the reason that Odysseus was able to live to see his family even after he watched his friends die off one by one.

“Odysseus, the godlike survivor, was glad, and he spoke in prayer: ‘Father Zeus, let Alcinous accomplish all that he says’”(Lombardo 105). Odysseus refers to Zeus, the god of lightning and men, as father for the reader to perceive Greeks think the Gods control everything that happens like fathers or father-figures take control of the household. Fathers are role models because they pre determine one’s reputation the moment they are born. Fathers represent respect and reputation itself.

In the Odyssey, there were many gods/goddess’ that affected Odysseus. Though there were some in particular that stood out. The Odyssey is a story about a hero named Odysseus, who must go through many challenges; just to get home to his wife. In this essay, it will talk about the three gods/goddess’ that affected Odysseus the most. Them being Hermes, Poseidon, and Athena.

In “The Odyssey” the gods have much power over the lives of mortals. Like puppet masters they play with the daily lives of mortals with their powerful fingers, that which can change a calm blue sea into a raging tempest in seconds. I believe that the gods play a strong role in the actions of mortals and their character traits are then shaped through the trials that they experience. God-like Odysseus has been through many intense trials on his trek to his homecoming that have tested his strength as a married man and leader, but finally the god Zeus calls upon his council of gods to “work out his homecoming and see to it that he returns.” (I,76-77) Here the extend of the gods ability to interfere with the lives of mortals is shown, and as told,

Greek mythology is a person favorite thing to research about because the things like goddesses,monsters, places.

Aristotle once said, “In mythology and legend, a man or woman, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for his or her bold exploits, and favored by the gods.”According to the Greeks, a hero in their perspective was thought to be born of royalty, liked by a lot of people, was braver, handsomer, taller, and stronger than all else.” This fits the characteristics of the demigod Perseus. Perseus was thought to be one of the greatest Greek heroes because he slayed the dreaded, snake-haired gorgon Medusa. He was also brave, handsome, and liked by a lot of people. Perseus should be inducted into the Greek Hero Hall of Fame because he did heroic deeds, he was born a royal, and he fought for his own honor.

Zeus is the deliver of fate throughout the play. When Hyllus declares everything that has happened is Zeus’s doing, he is silicifying the theme that Zeus acts as fate in the eyes of the characters (Women of Trachis 1278). Throughout the play, the characters turn to Zeus to explain why everything is happening. Greeks seem to be comforted by the idea the gods are controlling their lives because it takes blame off of humans for tragic

Ancient Greece is a place full of ,myths and legends. These myths and legends were created as an example for the people to live by. These myths and legends show the peoples cultures as well as their values. For example, Perseus was an important character in Greek mythology because he showed traits that were valued by the Greeks such as bravery and courage   The heroes in these stories had special births and were aided by supernatural beings in order to complete their quest.  In the ancient Greek myths Perseus was a demigod.

The relationships between the Greek gods and mortals have always been complicated. The gods can be generous and supportive, but also harsh and destructive towards the humans. They claim to be all powerful beings with unlimited power and influence, but in truth, they are far more human than they are perceived. They meddle with human lives, not because they are wise, but because of their own selfish reasons. In Homer’s

The belief system and the presence of God is one of the things many cultures and people have taken for granted. In Homer’s Odyssey, there is a presence of the gods which makes mortal to have the ability to talk to them, see them and even feel their presence around them. In this epic, what fascinated me is how the gods showed love towards odyssey throughout his journey. In the Greece empire, the power of the gods is the most constantly praised which

Athena and Telemachus’ relationship is important because if Athena was not there to help Telemachus, make tough decisions and help decide his fate, then The Odyssey would have had a very different

The Greek divinity is portrayed as a large influencing congregation that controls separate parts of daily life, nature, and future. Zeus is the overarching leader of all the gods and the god of the sky, Poseidon the god of the seas, Hades the god of the underworld, and Athena, daughter of Zeus and goddess of wisdom all contribute to the outcome of Odysseus’s travels. The Greek’s definition of gods, which is that of individual control of each element of Earth, evolved to that a singular god that does not have a daily influence, a god of one time creation. The Greek gods choose Odysseus from the beginning of his life and made the choices that caused the Odyssey and thus sparked the religious evolution to modern day Christianity and a distant god. Odysseus was a strong ruler who was influential and intelligent in all components of Ithaca life.

In Ancient Greek mythology, fate is the focal point of many plays and is significant in establishing the catharsis that Greek tragedies provide for the audience. The playwrights use the catharsis to allude to the general theme that people cannot escape their fate, and using symbolism is an effective way to emphasize the theme. Sophocles, the Ancient Greek playwright of Oedipus Rex, uses the symbolism of blindness to develop the play’s theme and teach the audience a lesson about fate. Sophocles uses blindness to symbolize to ability to see truth and accept fate.