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Goddesses In The Odyssey

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There are many gods and goddesses present in the epic simile The Odyssey. However, there are four in particular that influence Odysseus and his men along their protracted, arduous voyage home to Ithaca. Among these four influential characters are, Zeus, Athena, Helios and Poseidon. These Greek gods and goddesses represent different symbols that appear in The Odyssey on more than one occasion; for example, the olive branch or the sun. The symbols are strategically placed in The Odyssey so that readers can recognize the presence of a specific Greek god or goddess. In some ways these four deities are quite different, however they all work together for a common goal which at times either influences or hinders Odysseus. Throughout The Odyssey Athena is constantly influencing, protecting and assisting Odysseus and his men. Therefore, Athena’s presence is crucial for Odysseus’ survival. Athena must convert Odysseus to a beggar to eliminate any inkling of his …show more content…

Poseidon’s son Polyphemus, or the cyclops as he’s referred to in the text, is seeking vengeance for Odysseus’ despicable actions towards him. Perhaps, Odysseus’ fatal flaw hubris got him and his men into this situation in the first place. The Cyclops was drunk when Odysseus and his men sharpened a tool and stabbed him in the eye, to escape, Odysseus suggested they hide on the underside of Polyphemus’ sheep. Polyphemus sought the help of his father, “At this he stretched his hands out in his darkness toward the sky of stars, and prayed to Poseidon…”(Homer 12) Due to the fact that Poseidon is the God of the sea, he has a more than ample opportunity to retaliate. Prior to disabling Polyphemus, Odysseus refers to Poseidon. “My ship? Poseidon Lord, who sets the earth atremble, broke it up on the rocks at your land’s end.”(Homer 6) Even though Poseidon poses many obstacles for Odysseus, he perseveres and is finally able to see his

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455 Words | 2 Pages

In the text, it says “If ever mortal man inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye: Laertes’ son, whose home’s on Ithaca!”(669). This quotation shows that Odysseus is cocky. This makes him a bad leader because by revealing his identity and his hom of him and his crews’ home, he gave Polyphemus enough information to be able to pray to his father Poseidon to never let Odysseus reach his home Ithaca and also for him to lose all of his companions. So by revealing all of this info, he has cursed his crew and himself and put all of them in

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1107 Words | 5 Pages

After he successfully exits the cave by blinding the cyclopes, he and his surviving men board the ship. As a result of his pride, he calls out to the monster, "If anyone asks who put out your eye, tell them it was Odysseus of Ithaca!”(Hinds 109). Considering the fact Polyphemus is the son of Poseidon, the cyclops calls out to him and therefore starts the troublesome voyage for Odysseus back home. When he returns to Ithaca he learns to control his hubris by replacing it with patience. Athena, the goddess of war and strategy, disguises Odysseus as a beggar because it is wisest to arrive in Ithaca without anyone being able to recognize him.

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399 Words | 2 Pages

Polyphemus is Poseidon's son, the god of the sea. The way Odysseus used his patience in this case is when he waited two to three days to blind the Cyclops’. Odysseus was so good at this skill he watched Polyphemus eat some of his men one by one each day that passed, yet he was still patient. The longer he waited and had patience the better the plan went. This also worked with the Trojan horse at the battle of Troy.

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415 Words | 2 Pages

When they get back to the boat and Odysseus yells out to the Cyclopes his name. Which means a harder journey for Odysseus and his men because Polyphemus is Poseidon's son. In this book Odysseus shows his pride when he yells from the boat and almist gets him and his men killed. In the movie Odysseus pride is most shown when he blames her situation solely on his men.

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1045 Words | 5 Pages

The third time Odysseus shows that he had supernatural conflict is in the cyclops adventure, and it was caused by Odysseus and his crew, who tricked the cyclops many times. In the Odyssey, it states that Odysseus taunts at Polyphemus, and reveals his real name after Odysseus injured Polyphemus, and tricked him, which enraged him. After Polyphemus about Odysseus, he requested from his father, Poseidon, the god of sea, to curse Odysseus, and ask for revenge on Odysseus and his crew. As the results, Poseidon alternated the ocean’s courses during the journey

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1064 Words | 5 Pages

Earlier in the epic, Odysseus frequently abuses his role as captain of his crew because of his curious nature. He makes several stops on their journey home in search of more opportunities to prove his skillfulness, even though he is already a king and has won a major war. One of these stops is at the Island of Polyphemus, home to the cyclops famed for eating all humans that enter his cave. Even though Odysseus is well aware of the danger ahead, his curiosity tempts him to

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1260 Words | 6 Pages

In Greek epics, tragedies, and mythology women are portrayed in various ways. Women are mainly considered to be weak and less important than men, but there are some women who are shown to be strong and heroic, despite the reputation that was placed onto them in Ancient Greek civilizations. There were two particular women that were strong and took the roles of their husbands while the men left to fight in the Trojan War. These two women were Penelope, wife of Odysseus, and Clytemnestra, wife of Agamemnon. These two women were different in how they chose to rule while their husbands were at war and how they acted once they got back.

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In The Odyssey, by Homer, Athena influences the lives of Odysseus and his family. In Greek mythology, gods challenge and control mortals. Gods also provide support to mortals and thus, mortals depend and act on behalf of the gods and their decisions. Athena, daughter of Zeus, is the goddess of wisdom, and both Telemachus and Odysseus benefit from her power. Athena possesses the ability to disguise herself and others, and this skill allows her to give advice and guidance.

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After this near miss, Odysseus commits the biggest blunder of them all: revealing his true identity (Book 9, Lines 558-562). The plan he so cleverly concocted is all for naught, and the name of “Nobody” no longer bears any meaning. This information was truly vital, and without it, Polyphemus was powerless. Now instead he is armed with the name of his attacker, and also with his father, whom we find out is conveniently Poseidon. Polyphemus calls out to his father and asks him to curse Odysseus and his crew saying, “Hear me, Poseidon …

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110 Words | 1 Pages

In the end, Odysseus showed hubris to Polyphemus, which caused Polyphemus to tell Poseidon to put a curse on Odysseus and his crew. This encounter teaches the readers to always use self-control because without it, problems can

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776 Words | 4 Pages

The Odyssey is a well known epic that brings the reader through the tale of how Odysseus and his family reunited. Odysseus spent twenty years away from his son, Telemachus, and his wife, Penelope. He was away for ten years at Troy and spent the other ten years on his journey back to his native land, Ithaca. Within the epic, author Homer reveals characters of gods and goddesses throughout the poem who impacted the families journey. One importantly, was the goddess of wisdom and war, Athena.

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1056 Words | 5 Pages

The Odyssey is an epic poem written by the blind, illiterate poet Homer. It takes place in ancient Greece and tells of a man’s journey home from war. The topic, intervention of the gods, is seen throughout the book numerous times as the gods who are in favor of Odysseus lend a helping hand. It is well-known that the gods are very important to the Greeks. In this epic poem, The Odyssey, Homer demonstrates the importance of the positive and encouraging intervention of the gods in Greek culture; the brave actions, encouraging words, and cunning strategies of Athena as she assists and guides Odysseus on his journey back home.

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414 Words | 2 Pages

While Odysseus and his crew are slowly moving away from Cyclopes Island, Odysseus tells Polyphemus that he is “Odysseus, Laertes’ son,” whose home “lies on Ithaca” (Homer 459 and 460). Because of his arrogant decision to tell Polyphemus the truth of his origins, he essentially dooms him and his crew. Polyphemus, who is Poseidon's son, asks of his father to punish Odysseus for his arrogance, whom grants his prayer. In cessation, Odysseus’ haughty decision to tell Polyphemus his whereabouts leads to his utter

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610 Words | 3 Pages

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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384 Words | 2 Pages

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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