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Examples Of Deus Ex Machina In The Odyssey

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Odyssey Essay It’s been said, “To erase the line between man and machine is to ensure the line between men and gods.” The Odyssey is an epic poem written in the 8th century by Homer, a Greek poet. There are multiple references to mythological gods and goddesses that appear in a man’s person’s daily life. It was believed that the mighty gods descended down from Mount Olympus to help a believer’s tasks. Prayers to the gods could be used to get a crew or companion home safely. For example, Odysseus had a voyage that lasted for a long time, and many thought he had passed. Homer’s purpose of writing the Odyssey is to connect mythology to the lives of the people living in the time period of this epic poem and the reader’s lives using deus ex machina. …show more content…

The citizens of Ithaca believe that Odysseus died, though only a handful of companions believe he is still alive. What many people is pray to the gods for a safe journey home for their companions, therefore deus ex machina is present. Another example of safe travel is found in book 21 of this Epic Poem. Eumaeus “...prayed likewise to all the gods…” (21.211) that Odysseus would return home soon, safely and unharmed. Mythological prayers to gods are very common during this time period of the Odyssey and were used for safe travels or for daily tasks that citizens would need to be overlooked throughout the …show more content…

Odysseus and his men Weren’t even nicked… (22.272-76) This example provides the information that when there is a life or death situation involving weapons and death, gods and goddesses tend to intervene. Athena decides to take Odysseus’ side because of his godlike traits, strength, and patience. The mythological deities present themselves to show that the xenia and good deeds from events, small or large, can add up to be blessed or to be saved from a deadly incident. Homer presents deus ex machina throughout, The Odyssey, to display how the Epic Poem is still significant today. During the plot of the poem, mythological gods and goddesses are present in people’s lives to aid them when problems arise. In the text, the gods play a prominent role in helping Odysseus travel safely home, blessing men and women, and aiding during a war between two powerful leaders. Even though these stories were written thousands of years ago, they are still applicable to many societies

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The Greek pantheon decided to help him because they remembered Odysseus’ sacrifices, Athena told Zeus, “ Did not Odysseus offer you delightful sacrifices?”(1.62-63) Zeus responds by agreeing to rescue Odysseus. This situation shows how the Greeks believed that sacrificing and being respectful of the gods could help get a person out of a tight spot. The Greeks also believed that their misfortunes were caused by the gods

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Martin Luther once said,” We are nothing with all our gifts be they ever so great, except God assist us.” Throughout, the whole tale, Odysseus leans upon the Gods in times of trouble, and in return they assist him. Homer composes this Epic Poetry of The Odyssey, in which the God’s play a critical role in crafting Odysseus’ personality while also giving him the proper resources to aid him through the calamity. Firstly, the God’s give Odysseus the necessary resources to help him get through the troubles.

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These pages from The Odyssey set an adventurous yet determined tone that is communicated by the antithetical; savagery versus purity. From the beginning, Homer starts off with a comparison by using metaphors and imagery. Lines 113-124 depict a land full of the immense and wild Cyclops. He describes how unkept and uncivilized they are by saying, “...without a law to bless them.”

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Unfortunately, many of these obstacles proved to be too difficult for Odysseus’s men, and had taken the lives of them all and would have killed Odysseus if it had not been for the help of others. If the gods and others had not given these specific instructions and details for the obstacles along Odysseus’s journey, he might have never made it home, or even may have died along the way. Finally, Odysseus makes it home, but his troubles do not end here, because he has to fight the suitors whom have occupied his home since he’d been away at war. Throughout the odyssey, homer creates many scenes that depict the idea of “love,” defined by the coming together of two things to create life. Homer creates the idea of “love”, mainly through his use of Homeric similes and metaphors.

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In the past, many heroes in Greek mythology have received aid in their journey, whether it’s Perseus or the Gorgon Medusa, or Theseus and the Minotaur, Odysseus himself has also received assistance. The Odyssey is an epic, spoken by Homer, centered around the character Odysseus, searching for his way back home. Despite being portrayed by Homer as a incredibly

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Hierarchy is abundant in all societies, whether it be ranks in a government, social classes, or any other worldly positions. In Greek society especially, there can be seen a hierarchy not only including governmental positions and social classes, but also a ranking of power of the gods above men, and even some gods above other gods. The gods can help humans by making sure their lives go smoothly, and even by controlling the weather and aspects of nature. The gods also have to power to make things go horribly wrong for a person, and can be triggered by disrespect from a human being, or even by the emotions of the god. Odysseus, one of the main characters of The Odyssey, an epic poem written by homer, embarks on a journey in efforts to reach home,

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In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, the hero Odysseus embarks on a treacherous voyage home after the Trojan War. His journey is not merely a geographical movement from one place to another; it symbolizes profound transformations, trials, and revelations. By analyzing specific scenes, we can uncover the layers of meaning woven into this epic narrative. Homer employs the physical journey of Odysseus, particularly in his encounters with Polyphemus and The Sirens, to convey themes of resilience, identity, and the human condition. Through Odysseus’ physical journey, the poem ultimately illustrates the timeless struggle for homecoming and self-discovery.

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From Odysseus’ time with Calypso in Ogygia up until the moment he takes back his home and wife from the suitors in Ithaca, the struggles he faces help answer what makes for a good life. Homer uses Odysseus’ journey throughout “The Odyssey” to identify four aspects of a good life: mortality, honor, hospitality, and experiences. Homer reveals that mortality is necessary for a good life when Odysseus denies the opportunity for immortality that Calypso offers, he shows the significance of honor in his description of Odysseus’ bravery in the Trojan war and the consequent respect that Odysseus’ crew has for him, Homer reinforces the importance of hospitality in each city Odysseus travels to, and he conveys that experiences, good or bad, define a good life. The Greeks held their gods in high esteem and therefore when Homer or other characters in the epic refer to Odysseus as being “godlike,” this is one of the highest compliments he could receive.

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The Odyssey would be less memorable without Homer’s masterful use of figurative language. This poem can only stand the test of time when the figurative language is used to help readers relate to the text no matter what time period they come from. Figurative language in the text has made the story as a whole more interesting and has made countless readers engaged by this tale of, in Homer’s own words, “that man skilled in all ways of contending.” (p. 813,

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In Homer’s Odyssey, gods and other supernatural beings dominated every aspect of mortal life. All living things and phenomena that occur in the world can be traced back to the gods. Seeing as how gods are responsible for the lives of mortals and the state of the natural world, performing deeds that anger the gods would prove to be disastrous while performing deeds that please the gods would prove to be beneficial. Odysseus’ journey back to Ithaca after the Trojan War was took ten years due to angering gods like Poseidon and Helios. However, it was through Athena’s aid that he was able to make it back home.

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The Odyssey, gods like Athena and Poseidon interfere with humans to satisfy their own desires, showing that they are just as imperfect and flawed as the mortals that they rule over. Athena favors Odysseus since he reminds her of herself. He portrays the same cunning, guile, and intelligence as she does; Athena had confided to him that “two of a kind, we are, contrivers, both,” comparing how similar they are. “Of all men now alive,” she says, “you are the best in plots and story telling.

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Poseidon, Apollo, Athena, Zeus, and Hermes are all Greek Gods that appear in the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer. These gods all play a significant role in The Odyssey by both helping and hindering Odysseus on his 10-year journey home. Homer illustrates the theme of divine intervention in The Odyssey using Poseidon’s wrath, Athena’s providence, and Hermes’ guidance. Poseidon is one of the main gods that appears throughout The Odyssey, Homer shows Poseidon's divine intervention through his wrath on Odysseus during his journey home.

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