Odysseus and Calypso (1616)
by Jan Brueghel the Elder
The Role of the Gods
How big of a role do the gods play in epics such as The Odyssey?
So far, in The Odyssey, we have seen that the gods are critical in human lives. We can especially see this in Odysseus’ life. Although Odysseus is the hero in this epic, he constantly seeks protection and help from the gods. The power and influence the gods have over Odysseus’ life throughout the story is evident.
In the beginning of The Odyssey we see that Odysseus is being held captive by Calypso, a beautiful goddess. Odysseus cannot continue his journey home because Calypso is selfish, and wants him to herself. It is only until Zeus sends Hermes to tell Calypso, to release Odysseus, that he can finally leave the island, and attempt to return home. Without Zeus’ help, Odysseus might have never been able to continue his journey. This interference, by Calypso and Zeus, represents the power the gods have in changing and influencing Odysseus’ life. We can also assume here, that the gods respect and honor each other. Calypso acknowledges Zeus’ immense power and threat, which is why she releases Odysseus.
Odysseus seeks Zeus’ help after leaving Calypso’s island, and later shows his gratitude. Quotes such as, “Ah, Zeus has let me see land I never hoped to see…” (Book 5, 411) and “Hear me, Riverlord, whoever you are… I have suffered much, O Lord, Lord hear my prayer” (Book 5, 448) are examples of Odysseus recognizing the gods as trustworthy, and almighty. It is clear that Odysseus has great faith in their power, and that is why he always looks to them for help and guidance. The recurring theme of guidance by the gods is also seen in Athena. Not only does she help guide Telemachus in his quest by providing instruction, but she also helps Odysseus in disguise.
Without the gods’ interaction and interference, would Telemachus and Odysseus still succeed and fulfill their journeys? Are the gods simply guiding them, or is it something larger than that?
Great post Viviana! I find this notion of the gods and their involvement in humans lives to be really interesting in The Odyssey and different from everything we have read previously. I would say that there is definitely a greater purpose for why Homer had them play such an important role in the epic. I don’t think it is incidental that the gods depict and epitomize human characteristics. This represents the culture and the way people viewed gods during Homer’s time. The gods were central to human life. They interfered, and maybe partly selfishly, but I think it was great than the purpose of helping themselves. The portrayal of the relationship between man and god in The Odyssey is one of guidance, but it goes further than that because the gods seem to have this extreme emotional attachment to humans. There is a sense of bond between man and gods in the epic that shows there is probably some deeper reasoning for the gods involvement in the human world. The gods inhibit human traits and we see similar themes in both the lives of humans and of the gods. This helps us relate to and understand the gods. They are not meant to be seen as these divine perfect beings. We see their flaws and their glory, which allows for a greater understanding of the interaction between the gods and humans. What is also interesting to note is that no matter how involved the gods are in human life, they do value and care about their interrelationships on a higher level. For example, when Zeus punishes the Phaecians for helping Odysseus return home he is placing a higher value on his relationship with his brother, Poseidon. Preserving relationships between the gods seems to be of more importance than the human-god relationship.
Seeing how much the gods interfere and step in to mortals lives shows their power and a lot of emotions. It shows Their attachment to mortals. And also reflects their human emotions of compassion and sympathy especially in the case of Odysseus. He received an appeal on Olympus from Athena which was seconded by Zeus, thereby gaining their backing in his quest home.
The gods have so much power, and they are so just, but they still operate independently. I am surprised that Poseidon did not make an appeal to his brother Zeus when he found out of Odysseus’ fate, but this supports my last argument because he caused a storm instead. This backs up what Viviana is saying about gods’ immense threat. They will act. An example of respect is shown when Hephaestus catches Aphrodite cheating on him. Hephaestus will not take Ares voucher since he has committed crime against him, but into Poseidon’s hands his trust falls for reimbursement. This yield is token of respect. Both these are attributes of humans reflected in the gods.
Odysseus endured Calypso and is an experienced warrior. However, even he pled for pity when things were too much for him. When Odysseus was being dragged into the sea by Poseidon’s storm, his plea did not require an answer, but his charm brought a young goddess to the surface to his aid. Telemachus, a young man, required more guidance and protection to supplement his inexperience. He is in good and true company on his journey, and Athena offered encouragement bountifully.
Without the gods, Odysseus did not stand a chance at surviving trial and tribulation. Their guidance and intervention is critical. He would still be stuck on Calypso’s Island if not for the intervention. The gods are responsible for setting this story into action. Athena appeared to Telemachus and inspired him to search for his father and defend his manor, and all this stemmed from the Trojan War, a divine war. We were thrown into the middle of Odysseus’ story, and I argue that their intervention was an amendment Odysseus’s fate.
Good post Viviana!
In “The Odyssey” along with other literature we have read in class such as “The Book of Genesis” The Gods role in human activity is fully intertwined. Without the God interference in The Odyssey, Odysseus would of never been able to make it back home to his wife and son but also would’ve never been kept away from them so long as well. The difference between The Odyssey and The Book of Genesis is that …in the book of Genesis there is only one God whereas in the The Odyssey there are multiple, about 8/9 , god/ Goddesses invoked in the main character Odysseus path to make it back home to his kingdom in Ithaca from the Trojan war. In the Odyssey these Gods carry characteristics of either good or evil , respect each others positions as a Gods/Goddess but will present their ways ether good or evil toward Odysseus. Whereas In The Book of Genesis God Is purely good and only wanted rightful intentions for those he created , in the Odyssey these Gods did not create human but only their own kind , Gods…. the serpent is the Book of Genesis was the only representation presented of evil and following his word over the heavenly father was down the wrongful path.
Its interesting to see how different stories or pieces of literature is placed together with the use of a God set forth upon others but each literature evoke it differently.
Great post Viviana!!
I agree that in The Odyssey the Gods have a significant role in each human characters life. Although it is evident that there is a close bond between the gods and humans, it is obvious that there is a big difference in power between the gods and humans. In the Book we see that Zeus has some ultimate power, and that power is deciding the fates of the humans. Because Zeus has this power the humans fear and honor him.
Also, as Odysseus voyages to Scheria, there are several examples of the gods controlling his fate. As he crosses the sea, Poseidon, Ino, and Athena all intervene and try to change the fate of Odysseus. Without the gods, we don’t know whether Odysseus may have been able to reach the shore because the gods seem to control or intervene with every event in the story. Zeus was the one who let Odysseus see the land. Moreover, there are many quotes in the story that proves that gods control the events in the lives of the humans and even simple tasks are controlled by the gods, such as sleep.
After reading the Odyssey it was clear to me that there is some kind of balance between the gods and goddesses that are helping Odysseus and his family and the one that are against. Based on this one could say that if there was no intervention from the gods from the beginning Odysseus would not have had to face any of the problems of his journey back home.
I believe that this interaction and interference from the gods and goddesses goes beyond that just guiding Odysseus and his family, the gods also protect them. However, I see how some gods just use Odysseus a hero someone people look up to as an example of respect to the gods. This aspect of the story is best seen when Odysseus blinds Cyclops and his father Poseidon decides to take revenge against Odysseus. As a conclusion, one could say that regardless of the majority of gods against Odysseus and his family the good actions especially by Athena, were greater than the ones imposed by Poseidon, Zeus and the rest of them.