Intervention Of Gods In The Odyssey Essay

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Homers epic poem The Odyssey, written in Ancient Greece, focusses on Odysseus struggle to get home 10 years after the Trojan war while his son, Telemachus, seeks information on his father, Odysseus. With their many attempts to find or leave, they face many dangers leaving the gods no choice but to pity them and help or make their situation worse and make them suffer.
Homer’s The odyssey shows this positive and negative intervention of gods through the many disguises and actions the gods take/do.

Homer portrays the positive intervention of gods through Athena’s many disguises and actions that come from them. Telemachus is sitting in the beach, praying to Athena, after being called crazy by the suitors. Athena disguised as Mentor, talks to Telemachus with encouraging words …show more content…

She says, “Telemachus you’ll lack neither courage nor sense from this day on, … the journey that stirs you is not far off, not with the likes of me, your fathers friend and yours.”
(2.302-319). Athena’s words, like “you’ll lack neither courage nor sense …”, show how she encourages him from feeling inferior to the suitors but stronger and much smarter. Athena also offers her help through disguising herself as Mentor and stating, “the journey that stirs you is not far…not with the likes of me, your fathers friend.” which shows that Mentor will help
Telemachus find his father with his skills of guidance (guide him personally or guide his ship).
Odysseus is sleeping by a river in some bushes after his “raft” wreck. Athena goes to the palace of the island and disguises herself as Nausicaa’s friend (Dymas’ Daughter). Athena whispers to her while she is sleeping. “Come let’s go wash these clothes at the break of day – I’ll help you

lend a hand, and the work will fly! You won’t stay unwed for long.” (6.34-37). Athena’s

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