In this passage, Zeus has defeated Typhoeus, and Hesiod is comparing Zeus’ victory and the visuals that occurred from the battle to humans melting iron, which is the strongest substance. Hesiod attributes humans eventually melting metal and making tools to Zeus’s ability to maintain order at a higher level in the cosmos. Because Zeus could slay the wildness of Typhoeus and achieve peace at the divine level, humans are able to copy Zeus’ example of perseverance at the mortal level and flourish. The character described is Heaven, or Ouranos. Hesiod wants the audience to see the barbaric nature of Ouranos because he put his children back into Gaia, disrupting the natural progression of the next generation. His unjust actions reflect the idea that the first generation of deities directly embody aspects of the natural world. Therefore, they are more barbaric and violent than the Olympians, who represent both elements of the natural world and mankind. Hesiod presents Zeus as a clever but imperfect god, which allows for Zeus’ …show more content…
In Ancient Greece, any stranger visiting could be a god in disguise, so they need to be shown the best hospitality possible. Athena advocated for Odysseus to be freed from Calypso’s island, telling Zeus that her, “heart breaks for Odysseus.” Additionally, Athena, in disguise, provides advice to Odysseus, telling him not to tell Penelope every detail of his journey and transforms Odysseus into an old beggar. Athena helps Telemachus emotionally mature as Mentes. She tells him, “Why any man of sense who changed among them would be outraged.” Athena was the first person to really validate his anger towards the suitors. The gods have a tendency to use deception to further their agenda and plans for mortals. Therefore, mortals need to be respectful and keep the gods