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
Generally speaking people know that hero’s go on quest to learn about them self. Over the course of The Odyssey, by Homer, we see that Odysseus is lost for 20 years and also has to overcome obstacles to get back to Ithaca with his family. It is important to recognize hero’s journey present in the The Odyssey because he receive supernatural aid from Athena to get home, road of trail he has to overcome the lotus eaters,Abyss he can’t be himself at home. One important aspect of the Hero’s journey is supernatural aid. In Odyssey, Beers says, “The story of Odysseus begins with the goddess Athena appealing to zeus to help odysseus, who has been wandering for ten years…
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.
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.
The Odyssey is an epic poem written by Homer and translated by Robert Fitzgerald. In the epic a man, Odysseus, is separated from his family and is worried about the loyalty they have to him. Odysseus' story is relevant to those of men and women in the world. Just like Odysseus, people all around the world begin to wonder if their families have been loyal to them after a long absence. In book 11 Odysseus visits The Land of The Dead to get a prophecy from Teiresias, but as he goes to Teiresias Odysseus finds the ghost of his mother and bombards her many questions.
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,
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.
During Odysseus’ journey home from Calypso’s island, he pleas for help from the immortals. “I throw myself on your mercy, on your current now- I have suffered greatly. Pity me, lord, your suppliant cries for help” (Homer 5.494-496). Odysseus has accepted his mortality, and is begging to higher beings for help. Through his suffering, Odysseus is recognizing the power the deathless gods possess and his need for their support, showcasing a newfound humility.
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
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.
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.
Should destiny intend that he shall see his roof again among his family in his father land, far be that day, and dark the years between. Let him lose all companions, and return under strange sail to bitter days at home. " The theme of divine intervention is shown as Poseidon hinders Odysseus on his way to Ithaca by the curse, which made it years before Odysseus returns home whereas he would have returned in a matter of days, had Aeolus helped Odysseus again, but he didn't because he believed "their voyage has been cursed by the gods" (Homer 16). Homer demonstrates Athena's divine intervention through her providence towards Odysseus. Athena aids Odysseus multiple times throughout The Odyssey, an example of this is when she disguises Odysseus as a beggar in book 17 of The Odyssey to protect him from the suitors.
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
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.
Surya Govindaswaami Vidya Madavan English A HL 3 May 2016 The Influence of Divine Intervention on the Portrayal of Fate and Free Will in The Odyssey by Homer The Odyssey is not only considered one of the most prolific mythological epics of all time, but one of the greatest texts written by man. It recounts the arduous journey of the war hero Odysseus, in which he faced a multitude of adversities and obstacles that he had to overcome, as well as numerous challenges upon his arrival.
The belief system and the presence of God is one of the things many cultures and people have taken for granted. In Homer’s Odyssey, there is a presence of the gods which makes mortal to have the ability to talk to them, see them and even feel their presence around them. In this epic, what fascinated me is how the gods showed love towards odyssey throughout his journey. In the Greece empire, the power of the gods is the most constantly praised which Looking at the roles of the gods, Athena, goddess of wisdom and a daughter of Zeus admired the courage and faith in odyssey. Athena pleaded with his father by saying: father Zeus, whose power is supreme, if the blessed gods really do want Odysseus to return to his home, we should send Hermes, our quicksilver herald,