In Homer’s The Odyssey everything is in flux unless declared certain by Zeus. This would have been a great tool for kings to use as a justification for why their decrees out rule all other decrees in their kingdom. They could have pointed out that Zeus’ word was supreme over everyone else’s in Olympos because he was king, therefore their word was supreme in their kingdom because they were king. It also allowed for the king to have always had the final say in an argument, while still giving citizens a since of “free will”.
The foundation of this concept is humans, gods, and goddess seem to be free to make decisions and bare the consequences of these decisions. Odysseus is stuck on Kalypso’s island, because he angered Poseidon by killing Polyphemos. He was not up under anyone’s control when he made the decision and it was not ordained by Zeus for him to do so. Most actions, in the book, are not declared into existence by Zeus but instead people do what they wish out of their own accord. This concept would have appeled to …show more content…
Several times over in the epic when Athena wants something done and does not want it tampered with she begs her father, Zeus, to declare that it should happen. Once Zeus declares that it should happen no one argues against it; they even say that his will should not be disobeyed. Hermes said, “But it is not to be tought of and no use for any god to elude the will of Zeus.” (Homer 84). When he was answered by Kaylpso, despite her on opinion she said, “But now there’s no eluding Zeus’s will.” (Homer 85). In this example one sees that no matter what people believe on the subject they do as Zeus commands because of his supremacy. Kings could have easily translated this over into their situation. When necessary a king could have hushed argument against him by saying he is supreme as king and/or his words come from
The foundation of this concept is humans, gods, and goddess seem to be free to make decisions and bare the consequences of these decisions. Odysseus is stuck on Kalypso’s island, because he angered Poseidon by killing Polyphemos. He was not up under anyone’s control when he made the decision and it was not ordained by Zeus for him to do so. Most actions, in the book, are not declared into existence by Zeus but instead people do what they wish out of their own accord. This concept would have appeled to …show more content…
Several times over in the epic when Athena wants something done and does not want it tampered with she begs her father, Zeus, to declare that it should happen. Once Zeus declares that it should happen no one argues against it; they even say that his will should not be disobeyed. Hermes said, “But it is not to be tought of and no use for any god to elude the will of Zeus.” (Homer 84). When he was answered by Kaylpso, despite her on opinion she said, “But now there’s no eluding Zeus’s will.” (Homer 85). In this example one sees that no matter what people believe on the subject they do as Zeus commands because of his supremacy. Kings could have easily translated this over into their situation. When necessary a king could have hushed argument against him by saying he is supreme as king and/or his words come from