Orestei Man's Relationship With The Gods

Throughout the works of Greek history and mythology, mankind’s relationship with the gods play a vital role in the understanding of civilization at that time, but what kind of relationship does mankind have with the gods? Before one can discuss how humans maintain a right relationship with the divine, the question arises: What is a right relationship in the first place? Secondly, how does one maintain a right relationship? Fundamentally, a relationship with a god should meet certain requirements. First there should be an established relationship; just like how a father and his child have a relationship, a god and his or her creations should have a similar connection. Secondly, there should be communication; mankind speaks to the gods through …show more content…
The relationship between Orestes and Apollo as well as Athena contains all aspects of a perfect relationship. Apollo tells Orestes “ I will not forsake you, I will protect you until the end, I will stand by your side even when I am far, far away” (The Furies 120, 64-65). He establishes a close bond with Orestes and vows to protect him. He withholds his claim and gets Athena on the same side as Orestes saving him from the trial and wrath of the Furies. The relationship between the two gods and Orestes includes close and direct communication just like with the gods in the Iliad and Genesis, in addition, Apollo looks out for Orestes much like how Thetis looks after son, and God takes care of Adam and Eve. Orestes believes and trusts in Apollo as well as respects Apollo and Athena in the trial. Prayer and praise is observed when Orestes prays to Athena after meeting with Apollo, trying to seek out help with the Furies, and Athena answers his prayer and proposes a trial. After observing each text and the relationships within them, though each one included some parts of a right relationship, not one was maintained, except for in the very last book where Orestes puts some trust in the gods and gets