Multiple Gods And Goddesses In Homer's Odyssey

Imagine, if you will, being a god. A divine, unimaginably powerful being. What would you be like? Well, In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, you encounter multiple gods and goddesses. However, two play a largely important role in the epic. They are Athena, whom is wise and tactful, and Poseidon, who is cruel and violent, whom are represented as alter egos to the hero Odysseus. The traits of both deities are portrayed through Odysseus in varying situations, and Odysseus’s journey would not have been the same without those aforementioned traits, or direct intervention from the gods. Athena is a calm goddess who does not fight without just reason, so the anti-Trump. Athena’s wisdom and tactical intelligence are traits often demonstrated by Odysseus,

It’s huge. The best. Other temperaments? Not as good. Look at Crooked Hillary’s temperament. Sad!). Poseidon’s arrogance is a primary trait of Odysseus and is displayed in his actions. I quote showing this trait can be found in Book 9. “Far out, as far offshore as shouted words would carry, I sent a few back to the adversary: ‘O Cyclops! Would you feast on my companions? Puny, am I, in a Caveman’s hands? How do you like the beating that we gave you, you damned cannibal? Eater of guests under your roof! Zeus and the gods have paid you!’” (668, 473-480) In this passage, Odysseus has defeated Polyphemus and is now sailing away. However, Odysseus’s ego and cockiness catches up to him as he taunts the cyclops with words of retribution for his fallen comrades. This, however, gets his group in trouble as Polyphemus hears his banter, and uses the direction that it came from to hurl a mountain top at them, all but beaching their ship. This, to any man with self-control, would be the point at which he turned his butt around and got out of there asap. However, a man of Odysseus’s self-admiration could not just stop there. He yelled again and the cyclops collapsed, realizing that the wizard Telemus’s prophecy had come true. This arrogance is signature of Poseidon, as he

Well, Poseidon and Athena both have cruel sides, and these traits play a primary role in changing Odysseus’s journey. “Obstinate one, many a man puts his trust even in a weaker friend than I am, one that is mortal, and knows not such wisdom as mine; but I am a god, that guard thee to the end in all thy toils. And I will tell thee openly; if fifty troops of mortal men should stand about us, eager to slay us in battle, even their cattle and goodly sheep shouldest thou drive off. Nay, let sleep now come over thee. There is weariness also in keeping wakeful watch the whole night through; and even now shalt thou come forth from out thy perils” (http://www.theoi.com/Text/HomerOdyssey20.html), which is a quote from Athena. Poseidon’s influence is shown in the quote, “We are from Troy, Achaeans, blown off course by shifting gales on the Great South Sea…” (661, 249-250). These two quotes show how both of the gods used as alter egos for Odysseus have cruel sides. Athena, whom is usually known for her tactics and wisdom, believes that killing the suitors would be the right thing to do. By today's standards, what the suitors did was unacceptable, but not worthy of death. Their behaviors were unprecedented and rude, but not to the extent of death. Poseidon’s quote is a bit more complicated, as this is the first point where we see Poseidon trouble Odysseus, although he is