Alliance. Trustworthiness. Generosity. Hostility. This mixture of words describes the complicated relationships in The Odyssey by Homer. In the epic poem, Odysseus battles many obstacles on his long journey back home to Ithaca, where he must be reunited with his wife and son and confront the disrespectful suitors. Along the way, he and his son, Telemachus, experience support from the goddess Athena in particular, yet Odysseus also endures hostility from the antagonistic Polyphemus and Poseidon. In The Odyssey, Homer depicts the intimate, sometimes complicated relationships as well as the balance of power between mortals and the gods while showing the importance of loyalty and hospitality to ancient Greek life. The first powerful mortal-god …show more content…
On his way home from the Cyclops’ island, Athena comforts Odysseus and assists obstacles he will encounter. Athena wants Odysseus to finally be able to rest, so she tells him “Odysseus, great strategist, it is time for your son to know the truth; together you have to plan to kill the suitors. Then both of you go into town. I will join you there soon myself; indeed I am itching to fight” (16.167-172). Athena is helping Odysseus plan the final battle on his journey. She is also offering to physically help him fight. This is unusual because most gods do not offer their help to mortals like Athena is. Athena could tell how this journey was having a great impact on his mental well-being, so she: “poured down sleep to shut his eyes so all his painful weariness could end” (5. 492-493). Not only does Athena guide him in fights, she also helps him mentally because she feels pity for him. Odysseus has always been so respectful to the gods, by giving sacrifices to them. Because of his actions, she rewards him. This demonstrates the power of gods and respect, and how their bond was held together by mutual respect. Loyal Athena feels empathy for Odysseus because of his respectfulness towards him and her family, so in return she guides and comforts Odysseus throughout his time …show more content…
Odysseus was used to receiving hospitality back at his homeland, Ithaca, so when he arrived on the Cyclops’ island and did not receive the same treatment, he did not know how to react. But at the end of the day, Odysseus still manages to defeat Polyphemus, who is a god. But then Odysseus faced Poseidon’s wrath because he disrespected his family. Odysseus realized what his fate was going to be when he blinded the water god’s son: “A god may even send a great sea-monster, the kind that famous Amphitrite rears. I know Poseidon wants to do me harm'' (5.421-423). Because of the amount of disrespect towards the gods, Poseidon got revenge by making his journey very tiring and difficult, by sending storms, winds, monsters, etc. Poseidon’s anger is one of the main reasons why Odysseus’ journey took such a lengthy time. The impact of Odysseus’ actions led him to pleading for help from the gods: “I have escaped the salt sea and Poseidon. Even the deathless gods respect a man who is as lost as I am right now” (5.446-449). After Poseidon had sent the monsters and deadly winds, Odysseus had come to realize how much respect means to the gods. The consequences got so severe that he ended up begging the gods to pity and save him. Even though Odysseus beat a