The divine presence and intervention of the gods from the Odyssey and Genesis not only serves as narrative techniques to produce a riveting story but also as an alternative lens when analyzing human nature. The relationship between the gods and humans can be summarized as a relationship between a parent and a child. Within these stories, the gods serve to deliver guidance and attempt to reinforce their teachings and beliefs through physical intervention just as a parent attempts to teach a child how to live by a certain set of morals. On the other hand, humans function as their children who are often time obliviously walking through life and through divine intervention do they learn from their parental figures. This relationship is portrayed
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From the beginning of the story, Athena addresses Telemachus as acting childish due to his inactivity to force change in his life to produce a happier outcome (Homer 10). From this point onwards, Athena asserts the role as the father that Telemachus never had in an attempt to not only find Odysseus, but also make Telemachus fill into the legacy of Odysseus. Following the chat with Mentes, Telemachus already shows the product of learning from his parent as he states that “[he is] the master of this house” while talking to his mother after Athena left their house (Homer 11). This quote displays the affect that Athena has made on Telemachus after a single conversation with him, transforming the once inactive, spiritless child into one that is control of his own destiny. The shift is seen through his tone and words as he immediately takes control as man of their house instead of just another person who resides there. Another instance of Athena teaching this lost child is when Telemachus finishes his speech to the suitors before leaving on his journey where he prays to Athena stating that “now the townspeople are blocking all [his decision to search for his father], especially the suitors” in which Athena replies reassuring him that it is the correct action to take (Homer 23). This example depicts Telemachus’ necessity for social acceptance, another common trait amongst children, in which Athena dissuades this desire stating that he is a greater man than those who judge him. This represents Athena’s parenting because this lesson is a common one given from parent to child and this is an act of reassuring a lost child. Whether the situation be Athena motivating Telemachus to go find his father or her teaching him to become a better orator, whenever Athena is assisting Telemachus, the parent-child relationship is displayed where
From the beginning of the story, Athena addresses Telemachus as acting childish due to his inactivity to force change in his life to produce a happier outcome (Homer 10). From this point onwards, Athena asserts the role as the father that Telemachus never had in an attempt to not only find Odysseus, but also make Telemachus fill into the legacy of Odysseus. Following the chat with Mentes, Telemachus already shows the product of learning from his parent as he states that “[he is] the master of this house” while talking to his mother after Athena left their house (Homer 11). This quote displays the affect that Athena has made on Telemachus after a single conversation with him, transforming the once inactive, spiritless child into one that is control of his own destiny. The shift is seen through his tone and words as he immediately takes control as man of their house instead of just another person who resides there. Another instance of Athena teaching this lost child is when Telemachus finishes his speech to the suitors before leaving on his journey where he prays to Athena stating that “now the townspeople are blocking all [his decision to search for his father], especially the suitors” in which Athena replies reassuring him that it is the correct action to take (Homer 23). This example depicts Telemachus’ necessity for social acceptance, another common trait amongst children, in which Athena dissuades this desire stating that he is a greater man than those who judge him. This represents Athena’s parenting because this lesson is a common one given from parent to child and this is an act of reassuring a lost child. Whether the situation be Athena motivating Telemachus to go find his father or her teaching him to become a better orator, whenever Athena is assisting Telemachus, the parent-child relationship is displayed where