Gods and goddesses may still exist in society today, always altering humans’ fate. Throughout The Odyssey, it is shown that Athena, a goddess, helps, while Poseidon, a god, hurts. One of the questions posed by The Odyssey is who has control over mortals lives. Homer argues that the gods do, for better or worse.
The relationship between Athena and Telemachus proves that having a god as one's friend helps. Throughout The Odyssey, Athena’s love for Odysseus affects his life for the better. Athena disguises herself multiple times to aid Odysseus, or his son, Telemachus. In the beginning of the epic, Athena first disguises herself as “ … Mentes, son of Anchialus…” (1. 194). She does this to give Telemachus confidence to get rid of the suitors. After …show more content…
Poseidon, the god of the sea, has disliked Odysseus since the beginning of the epic. Poseidon does not like Odysseus because he stabbed his son, Polyphemus, in the eye, blinding him. After Odysseus does this, Polyphemus prays to his father, asking that Odysseus may never return home, and if he does, that he will return only after losing his whole crew and after a long time. After hearing Polyphemus’ prayer, Poseidon makes Odysseus’ journey home lengthened and full of both sorrow and death. While Odysseus is leaving Calypso’s island, Poseidon “[gathers] the clouds, and gripping his trident He [stirs] the sea” (5. 292-294). Poseidon makes Odysseus’ journey home miserable, and one way he does this is by brewing a storm. This storm blows Odysseus off course from Ithaca and sends him towards the land of the Phaeacians. Later in the epic, Poseidon is angry at the Phaeacians for providing Odysseus with a passage home and wants to smash their ship “... so that they will stop this nonsense Once and for all, giving men safe passage! And I’ll hem their city in with a mountain” (13. 156-8). Poseidon is angry because the Phaeacians are being hospitable and make Odysseus’ journey home much quicker. Poseidon wanted more time to make Odysseus suffer and keep him at sea for longer. Poseidon’s actions are often irrational and are shown to hurt Odysseus in his journey
The relationship between Athena and Telemachus proves that having a god as one's friend helps. Throughout The Odyssey, Athena’s love for Odysseus affects his life for the better. Athena disguises herself multiple times to aid Odysseus, or his son, Telemachus. In the beginning of the epic, Athena first disguises herself as “ … Mentes, son of Anchialus…” (1. 194). She does this to give Telemachus confidence to get rid of the suitors. After …show more content…
Poseidon, the god of the sea, has disliked Odysseus since the beginning of the epic. Poseidon does not like Odysseus because he stabbed his son, Polyphemus, in the eye, blinding him. After Odysseus does this, Polyphemus prays to his father, asking that Odysseus may never return home, and if he does, that he will return only after losing his whole crew and after a long time. After hearing Polyphemus’ prayer, Poseidon makes Odysseus’ journey home lengthened and full of both sorrow and death. While Odysseus is leaving Calypso’s island, Poseidon “[gathers] the clouds, and gripping his trident He [stirs] the sea” (5. 292-294). Poseidon makes Odysseus’ journey home miserable, and one way he does this is by brewing a storm. This storm blows Odysseus off course from Ithaca and sends him towards the land of the Phaeacians. Later in the epic, Poseidon is angry at the Phaeacians for providing Odysseus with a passage home and wants to smash their ship “... so that they will stop this nonsense Once and for all, giving men safe passage! And I’ll hem their city in with a mountain” (13. 156-8). Poseidon is angry because the Phaeacians are being hospitable and make Odysseus’ journey home much quicker. Poseidon wanted more time to make Odysseus suffer and keep him at sea for longer. Poseidon’s actions are often irrational and are shown to hurt Odysseus in his journey