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Influence of religion in our society
Influence of religion in our society
How religion affects everyday life
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“Of all that breathes and crawls across the earth, our mother earth breeds nothing feebler than a man. (Homer, 380)” Time and time again, people release the reins of their own freewill and subject their life to faith in higher power; the power of the divine seems above all else, and in many cultures is is treated as such. The range of power in many divine beings is seen in the following texts mainly to invoke emotion, give assistance, and display their general gift and is almost entirely exhibited to gain from these interactions. Gods are most often intangible beings, however, their metaphysical power, the emotions that they can induce, and the signs that they can send are our evidence of their existence. Higher beings only exist to help …show more content…
and hinder the inferior human beings that devote their faith to them. People prayed only in hope that their prayers would be answered. Telemachus was thrilled when Zeus responded to his prayer, wishing redemption against the suitors who are actively destroying his house: “But I’ll cry out to the everlasting gods in hopes that Zeus will pay you back with a vengeance - all of you destroyed in my house while I go scot-free myself! And to seal his prayer, far seeing Zeus sent down a sign. He launched two eagles soaring high from a mountain ridge and down they glided.” Most Greek myths involve the gods actually responding to their pious mortals. Another example would be the people of Uruk are overjoyed when their most prized deity, Inanna, returns with treasures and the sacred me. “In the name of my power… Let the citizens of your city prosper, Let the children of Uruk rejoice,” (Wolkstein, 27). Her newfound power, cleverly taken for personal gain, is celebrated and praised by her people. Gods don’t always bring happiness to the lesser beings. Poseidon’s main goal throughout the Odyssey is to bring pain to Odysseus in revenge for blinding his son Polyphemus. Due to her godly powers allowing her to take him captive, Calypso does nothing but cause poor Odysseus sorrow and heartache. These gods both exploit their powers in selfish superiority. Sometimes gods intrude in order to push their esteemed hero in the right direction. In the Odyssey, Athena even desires to, “Inspire his heart with courage,” so Telemachus can begin his our journey in search of his father. Gods not only aid mortals with their supernatural abilities, but use external and physical forces to act upon their destinies. The first and, arguably, most important gift that Athena grants is her liberation of Odysseus from Calypso.
Athena contends with Zeus himself in hopes of persuading him to command Calypso to release Odysseus from his seven year captivation on her island. “My heart breaks for Odysseus...cursed by fate so long- far from his loved ones still.” (Homer, 79) Mortal being have always looked to a higher power to help influence their life, and gods tend to play a very crucial role in their choices and ultimate fate. The Odyssey contains a multitude of examples where spiritual guide and support are significant to progress in the heroic journey. Athena plays a huge role in the epic; she guides Telemachus in his frustration with the suitors and even rallies his crew for him, not to mention the countless times she saves Odysseus. Athena even admits to Odysseus that she will only continue to help him: “And now I am here once more, to weave a scheme with you… Surely I’ll stand beside you, not forget you, not when the day arrives for us to do our work,” (Homer, 299). Mortals are almost helpless without favors from the gods. Ino gives Odysseus her immortal scarf to prevent him from drowning, Hermes helps Odysseus and his crew escape Circe and her malicious magic, and Aeolus awards Odysseus with a bag of winds to maneuver them home. Athena’s myriad of support may not be explicitly for self gain, however her favored hero returned home successfully all because of her help, Odysseus is like Athena’s
trophy. While it is not a physical prize, higher beings gain nothing but respect from their jurisdiction and specific domain of power. Inanna is exalted for her powerful role in fertility and love. Fellow shepherds praised Dumuzi as he watched over the world’s crops. In his absence there was only wither and cold. The power given to each diving being gives mortals something to pray and sacrifice for, something to be wary of, and something to respect. The gods take pride in their realm of control and try to maintain their status of power. When Poseidon learns that the sea-faring, port-reliant Phaeacians gave Odysseus refuge and guided him home, he becomes furious with his people and their lack of respect for him. The Phaeacians know their fate, given the prophecy, yet they disobey Poseidon and welcome the washed-up and helpless Odysseus: “As for the god, well, he can do his worst or leave it quite undone, whatever warms his heart,” (Homer, 209). His retaliation proves to sink the Phaeacians ship, punishing those who don’t admire the power Poseidon has over their lives. Poseidon is not exactly a benevolent character in his actions throughout the epic, and is motivated by retaining his status of superiority. The overarching power of worship in our world has existed since the beginning of time. The powers of the divine have long controlled the feelings, futures, and faith of mortal beings. The actions of gods may critically affect others but the action is not without ulterior motive; the divine exclusively help mortals for personal benefit whether it is favoritism, gain of respect, and preservation of status.
Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus’ power was gained through the power of others resulting in three phases of understanding: self-determination, courage, and having a greater vision in life. In order to understand these three phases, one must be able to conquer predominance from those less useful than others. Although Odysseus was physically strong, he was not who he was mentally, without the help and guidance through the gods. Odysseus was like one who has no friends, but when he meets up with more people, he becomes popular. One who was alone and meets new people, has more friends and finds out more interesting subjects about daily life. They are the ones who have more predominance than others because they know more people and have much more interesting subjects. Odysseus was like this because he didn’t know much without the help and guidance from others.
Throughout literature characters have relied upon entities greater then themselves to furnish them with aid as they meet the many challenges they must face. The Odyssey is a tale of Odysseus’ epic journey and the many obstacles that bar his return home. But Odysseus is not alone in this struggle and receives aid from many gods, especially the clear-eyed goddess Athena. There are times when Odysseus beseeches the gods for aid, but other times he is too foolhardy to receive aid from even the immortal gods. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus’ journey revolves around the cyclical phases of his dependence, independence and his return to reliance upon the gods’ aid.
Athena aided Ody in his journey home by providing guidance and advice on difficult obstacles. She gives Odysseus a lot of advice on how to handle perilous obstacles. For example, Athena tells Odysseus to go home in a disguise. This is the reason that she transforms Odysseus back into a poor, shriveled beggar from a godlike man. The new disguise allows Odysseus to get home
Throughout its history, strong values have stood at the core of Greek culture. Ancient Greeks placed a focus on a balance of mind and body. Citizens were expected to adhere to three main Greek virtues; these being respect for the body, respect for the gods, and hospitality. At times, these virtues were not upheld, usually resulting in what they believed to be punishment from the gods. Examples of this can be seen in the epic, The Odyssey, authored by Homer. Throughout the poem, a repeated disregard for the ancient Greek values teaches readers a fundamental principle of life--consequences follow poor decisions.
In every journey the hero also has a mentor. In this story Athena, the gray-eyed goddess of wisdom, has taken on this role for both Odysseus and Telemachus. Athena was by Odysseus’ side as a guide for much of the beginning of his Journey. Athena also is a guide to Odysseus when he’s not even aware o...
...o all guests saved Odysseus and helped him return home to his wife, son, and kingdom. Even though people from many different kingdoms and islands took Odysseus in their home and showed him great kindness on his return home, the individual who helped him most was the goddess Athena. In many occasions Athena assisted Odysseus. One such example is when Odysseus was fighting of the suitors and they threw spears at him. "Re-forming, the suitors threw again with all their strength, but Athena turned their shots, or all but two (p 566)." Another instance which Athena aided Odysseus was when she disguised him as a beggar on his arrival to his homeland. "Would even you have guessed that I am Pallas Athena, daughter of Zeus, I that am always with you in times of trial, a shield to you in battle (p 444)." "Your goddess-guardian to the end in all your trials (p 539)."
Early on in both of their stories, Odysseus and Telemachus learn to practice strong will in initiating their own journeys. Even though Telemachus reaches the cusp of his childhood, the individuals around him plague him into believing he remains a boy. In the Odyssey, gods are considered to control vast things such as fate or choose to intrude in the lives of mortals. One of these goddesses, Athena, desires to aid both Odysseus and Telemachus in their journeys. In disguise, she gives Telemachus inspiration to initiate the steps to adulthood by saying, “you’ll never be fainthearted or a fool, /Telemachus, if you have your father’s spirit; /he finished what he cared to say,” (Homer 27). With this he commences the hardship of finding his father by immediately calling an assembly and defying the men around him who thought him incapable. Meanwhile, Odysseus has already faced trials testing his determination. He evades the many temptations of immortals su...
The great epic, Homer's Odyssey, is a tale of an adventure; a journey through the mind body and soul. Odysseus was strong throughout his voyage and was able to conquer his obstacles thanks to the help from the Goddess Athena. Athena provided physical and emotional support for this man, to get him on his way home to Ithaka. She also provided this same support for Odysseus' son, Telemakhos. Without her involvement, "The Odyssey" would not have turned out the way it did; because she plays such a crucial role in the story. It is understood that Odysseus is the primary character in this epic; concerning his fears and eventually returning to his home, Ithaka. The only reason this was possible is because he had the help of the clever and intelligent Goddess, Athena.
...imes, the gods provide necessary tools. And most importantly, the Gods support Odysseus by helping him when he is stuck in a difficult situation.
They have been called "gods." These almighty, powerful beings that are far too superior for us to understand; or so most of us have been made to believe. Some may say he is a Great Examiner, others could say he is the Creator. Some could even say he doesn't exist. Frankly, what I want to emphasize is how such beliefs could reduce even the bravest and strongest of us all to a whimpering child. Something that we ar...
The Odyssey is a tale that has changed literature and storytelling. In this tale Odysseus is a Soldier from the battle of Troy trying to get home to his island of Ithaca, where he is king. His wife and son must wait ten years while he is trying to make his way home. In Odysseus’s absence wooer’s, or better known as suitors, learn of his absence and travel to Ithaca to win his wife’s hand in marriage. These men come every day feasting on Odysseus’s food and wine, and give his servant’s orders. His son Telemachus, does his best to keep the suitors from ruining his fathers house but he is only a boy, and doesn’t receive the respect of an adult. Telemachus then has a visit from the god Athena, whom Odysseus is friends with, who advises him to travel to find out about his father. In his travels he hears that Odysseus may still be alive. Meanwhile Odysseus goes through a series of adventures and hardships that prove his wisdom. It is interesting in contrast of the Iliad, even though Achilles was much stronger and a better warrior, Odysseus was portrayed as a greater hero due to his wisdom. He uses this wisdom to escape from the Cyclops.
In Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, gods play a very important role to the plot of the story. They are the one deciding if someone can survive or not according to the sacrifice that the person made for them. In the book 1, Athena said to Zeus her father, “Didn’t Odysseus please you with sacrifices beside the Greek ships at Troy?” (Homer 65, book1). In this part Athena was trying to plead with her father Zeus in favor of Odysseus because she wants to help him to go home, while others are trying to provoke his death. This love that Athena has for Odysseus and his family is revealed throughout Homer’s epic. Although Athena supported Odysseus throughout his voyage, other gods including Poseidon, Calypso, and Circe made it difficult for Odysseus to return home, such in our real life, some people will make your life hard, but you have a good faith as Odysseus, you should always find your way out. Our God is omnipr...
If not for divine interference, neither Odysseus nor Telemachus would have journeys to make. The gods are first responsible for establishing the conditions under which the story begins. While the Greek soldiers had returned home from Troy, Odysseus remained trapped as “the brightest goddess, Calypso, held him in her hollow grottoes” because “she wanted him as a husband” (Homer, Odyssey 1.5, Translation by Allen Mandelbaum). Calypso traps Odysseus on her island of Ogygia and “keeps the sad Odysseus there—although he weeps. Her words are fond and fragrant, sweet and soft—so she would honey him to cast off his Ithaca” (1.7).
She later sparks a flame inside of Telemachus to embark on his journey to find his father. At the first destination Telemachus arrives at, Athena appears once again in the court of King Nestor. She appears in the form of an eagle to represent that she is beside Telemachus in his righteous journey to find his father. When hearing of her son’s departure, Penelope becomes extremely distraught. In an attempt to reassure and comfort her, Athena appears as a “glimmering phantom” and says these comforting words, “Take heart, and don’t be so afraid. The guide who goes with him is one many men pray for to stand at their side, a powerful ally- Pallas Athena. And she pities you in your grief, for it is she who sent me to tell you this” (Homer 342). There are many motivators for Athena in The Odyssey. Some could argue she relates with Penelope, and provides protection for her household throughout the years. Others may say she is enamored with Odysseus because of their relating character traits. Athena basically takes on the motherly role of watching over both Telemachus and Odysseus. She monitors both of the men’s journeys, and allows them to go through tribulations in order to grow emotionally and spiritually. Brian Lower a literature professor from Union College wrote,” Athena allows Odysseus to experience the storm, but not die. She knows that it will make him stronger for it. There is an
The Odyssey, an epic poem written by Homer and translated by Robert Fitzgerald, is about the war hero Odysseus' ten year adventure to return home after the Trojan War. At one point in the epic poem, Odysseus is retelling his adventure at the land of the Kyklopês, in which he and his crew go to an island filled with these creatures. Through Odysseus, Homer uses contrasting connotation when speaking of the crew and the Kyklopês to convey that mankind is better than the Kyklopês using two different domains domains of society.