The Role of the Gods in Homer's Odyssey

1922 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Relationship between humans and gods

The Role of the Gods in The Odyssey In the ancient world, the gods of the Greeks had been predominately confined to cosmological deeds prior to the works of Homer. "As Hesiod laid out the roles of the gods in his Theogony and the Works and Days, it is apparent that though the gods were active in the creation of the cosmos, natural phenomenon, and cyclical events such as seasons, they were not however, functioning in any historical way"(Bloom 36). This strictly cosmological view of the gods was in no way unusual to the ancient world. Though the breech of theology into historical events was perhaps first introduced by the Hebrews at the turn of the first millennia B.C.E., it was soon echoed in the religious paradigms of homo religiosus throughout the Near East and Europe. In the seventh and sixth centuries B.C.E. another predominate thought swept the ancient world; life is suffering. An obvious question arises from the mixture of these two thoughts; if the gods are functioning in the historical reality of mankind why do they allow and/or cause suffering? This is the dilemma that Homer sets out to solve in the epic poem The Odyssey. Holding Odysseus as the model of the homo religiosus who is well trained the rituals and ways of the gods, Homer attempts to show how the history of such a man's life can be riddled with suffering. Also, no matter whether the suffering is inflicted by fate, the will of the gods, other people, or man's own desires, the god's themselves have divined a system that will work to alleviate the intolerable condition of man. One of the central terms in The Odyssey is the heart. For Homer, the heart is the axis mundi of man. After Odysseus first arrives at the island of the Phaikians, Homer associa... ... middle of paper ... ...e life of Homer. Moreover, two and a half millennia later, this teaching is still a mainstay of all of the major world religions. Thus, Homer introduced an understanding of how if the gods participated in historical time it would allow man to establish a prosperous relationship with them, and therefore eliminate the endless cycle of suffering. Works Cited and Consulted Bloom, Harold , Homer's Odyssey: Edited and with an Introduction, NY, Chelsea House 1988 Crane, Gregory , Calypso: Backgrounds and Conventions of the Odyssey, Frankfurt, Athenaeum 1988 David W. Tandy and Walter C. Neale (edd. and trans.), Hesiod's Works and Days: A Translation and Commentary for the Social Sciences. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1996. Pp. xiv, 149. Heubeck, Alfred, J.B. Hainsworth, et al. A commentary on Homer's Odyssey. 3 Vols. Oxford PA4167 .H4813 1988

Show More
Related

  • History, Symbolism, and Characters in Homer’s The Odyssey

    1106 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sale, William Merritt. "The Odyssey: Overview." Reference Guide to World Literature. Ed. Lesley Henderson. 2nd ed. New York: St. James Press, 1995. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.

    Read More

  • Angina Pectoris: The Heart Killer

    1554 Words  | 4 Pages

    Like any other organs in our body, the heart needs a supply of blood and oxygen, and coronary arteries supply them. There are two main coronary arteries, the left coronary artery, and the right coronary artery. They branch off the main artery of the body, the aorta. The right coronary artery circles the right side and goes to the back of the heart....

    Read More

  • Odysseus’ Search for Purpose in Homer's Odyssey

    1418 Words  | 3 Pages

    Heubeck, Alfred, J.B. Hainsworth, et al. A commentary on Homer's Odyssey. 3 Vols. Oxford PA4167 .H4813 1988

    Read More

  • The Journey Of Odysseus And Te

    2519 Words  | 6 Pages

    In The Odyssey written by Homer and translated by Richard Lattimore, several themes are made evident, conceived by the nature of the time period, and customs of the Greek people. These molded and shaped the actual flow of events and outcomes of the poem. Beliefs of this characteristic were represented by the sheer reverence towards the gods and the humanities the Greek society exhibited, and are both deeply rooted within the story.

    Read More

  • Achilles Vs Odysseus

    3801 Words  | 8 Pages

    Homer. ?The Odyssey,? World Masterpieces: Expanded Edition. Maynard Mack ed. Ed. Coptic St.: Prentice, 1995.

    Read More

  • Chapter 1 Vs Lion King Essay

    1147 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Lion King and the Lion King 1 ½ both operate under the ideology that hierarchy and social order structure the society of the animal kingdom, in turn perpetuating the idea that the animals' positions are, in fact, fixed. The first movie disguises that ideology under a veil of unity and community while the Lion King 1 ½ openly confronts the inequality of the society within the animal kingdom. Both movies show how social status can change the way one views a hierarchy society. Those at the bottom of the food chain perceive the the system negatively because it puts them at a disadvantage while this at the top of the food chain have a positive perspective of the system because they benefit form it the most. To demonstrate this

    Read More

  • The Great Sphinx At King Khafre

    1010 Words  | 3 Pages

    This is evident in Sven Rubenson’s journal of Ethiopian Studies. Rubenson highlights the strength that a lion possesses by ideally pointing out its use of dominance in Ethiopian culture and political monuments. he stated: “ In connection with the Emperor, the monarchy, and the nation of Ethiopia today, the Lion of Judah is the dominant symbol, present on the Imperial flag, the Emperor’s seal…” (75). Digging deeper into this from a religious point of view, one may notice the lion of Judah and its association with the Hebrew bible and tribe, or as the “Christian symbolism of the lion has directly opposite significations, sometimes representing Christ, and sometimes Satan” (Uhde 97). Uhde focuses on a very valid point by emphasizing that although a lion can be used in association with religion, the specific religion itself may view the lion as righteous or devious. Noted by referencing Christ and

    Read More

  • The Odyssey: A Tale of Redemption

    2140 Words  | 5 Pages

    The epic poem called The Odyssey, which was written by the poet Homer, is one of the many classical stories from Ancient Greek culture. It tells the story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his journey back home from the war with Troy, which had occurred in Homer’s other epic Greek poem, The Illiad. Odysseus faces many trials and quests in his journey home and to take back his kingdom from the suitors, such as meeting the witch Circe, blinding a Cyclops named Polyphemus, dealing with Poseidon, and staying with the goddess Calypso. The poem has many themes that are relevant to it. One such theme is the factor of redemption. Redemption is usually a typical subject in any kind of religion, like the Greek religion and Christian religion. The story of Odysseus has an underlying message of him receiving redemption from the Greek gods. The Odyssey is a tale of redemption because it deals with Odysseus being forgiven by the gods after having to go through many trials and wrongs to rightfully claim back his wife and the throne of Ithaca.

    Read More

  • Spirit Dogs

    383 Words  | 1 Pages

    Their moods are demonstrated with abandon, from yawning in public to growling at impudent inferiors, and they feel no need to follow social etiquette. They're always the first to complain about bad food or service in a restaurant, but are fair-minded and equitable and are often called to settle disputes of others. When a lion is hired into a new job, things immediately begin to change. Alliances are forged and old rules are thrown out without regard for the feelings of others. In short order, there is a new sense of direction and a tangible sense of confidence that percolates throughout the organization. Perhaps because of their powerful personalities lions are not detail oriented, for the minutia of the mundane irritates the lion. It prefers to concentrate on the bigger picture, expecting its mate to do the 'trivial' tasks of shopping, housekeeping and childrearing. In business the lion prefers to surround itself with animals beneath it in the food chain, offering leadership, strength and protection in exchange for loyalty and hard work. Realizing that its survival depends on these animals it is protective and possessive with its employees, but at the end of the day insists on taking the lion's share of the profits. Lions are aggressive, predictable and dependable. Others always know where they stand with a lion, and their confidence and leadership abilities make them successful CEOs, company presidents, judges or lion

    Read More

  • The Impact of Ancient Religion on Homer’s Odyssey

    1398 Words  | 3 Pages

    There has long been a fashion among critics and historians, including Sir James Frazier and Graham Hancock, to insist upon taking the account of Odysseus' voyage to Hades in Book XI of the Odyssey at near face-value as a description of people and places familiar to a Greek audience of Homer's day. Both linguistics and comparative history have been employed to discover exactly how accurately this originally oral epic conveys this gritty realism. Something, however, is not right with this purely empiric approach. What is missing is an examination through the lens of ancient religious practices. Surely a literary work so teeming with deities-wise Athena, spiteful Poseidon, impish Hermes, omnipotent Zeus-deserves such study.

    Read More

  • The Shaman Journey Of Early Homo-Sapiens

    1321 Words  | 3 Pages

    Early Homo-Sapiens viewed animals like these as if they were Gods themselves, and above the natural world. While Loon is on his Shaman journey, he observes three lionesses and talks of their strength and beauty. K.S. Robinson writes, that the Lions were “Beautiful gods wandering the world, hunter gods who feared nothing.” And that they were “one of nine sacred animals.” (24) . Lions especially, were viewed as creatures who could do whatever their heart pleases. Humans knew not to disturb the Lions and gave them the upmost respect because of their immense power. Other animals like the Hawk or Raven, who could fly high above the humans and see for miles, were thought to have possessed God-like attributes.

    Read More

  • The Lion Research Paper

    627 Words  | 2 Pages

    Her cubs are playing on the yellow savannah grass. Her mate, out trying to settle things with the intruder that they met just one day ago. Her beautiful fur, swaying in the wind. She is an African lion. Then you see the long pipe of a shotgun sticking out of the bushes. It flashes before your eyes. The bullet rips through the plains, breaking the nearly impenetrable silence. The impact, knocks the lion over. A large red spot is visible on her shiny, golden coat. Why? Why do people kill lions, so they can take a small portion of the lion, and leave everything else? There are so many unique features about lions! Lions are very beautiful. They show us images of grace, courage, and compassion. The lions are very strong and protective. Lions protect their cubs and mates. They help humans by

    Read More

  • The Role of the Gods in the Odyssey

    1194 Words  | 3 Pages

    Religion was deeply intertwined with the culture of the ancient Greeks. In their stories, they prayed to the gods to satisfy their needs and offer assistance in their endeavors, and the gods would occasionally appear to select Greeks to give counsel, gifts, or other forms of aid. Alternatively, if the desires or endeavors of a mortal or mortals displeased one or more of the gods, they would also interfere with the fulfillment of their goals. In Homer’s Odyssey, the gods appear to or interfere with both Telemachus and Odysseus, either to help or hinder them in their journeys. Although the gods are responsible for the difficulty Odysseus faces returning from Troy, they are equally responsible for motivating and assisting Odysseus and Telemachus in their respective travels.

    Read More

  • Oedipus The King: Role Of Gods

    1054 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Gods can be evil sometimes.” In the play “Oedipus the King”, Sophocles defamed the gods’ reputation, and lowered their status by making them look harmful and evil. It is known that all gods should be perfect and infallible, and should represent justice and equity, but with Oedipus, the gods decided to destroy him and his family for no reason. It might be hard to believe that gods can have humanistic traits, but in fact they do. The gods, especially Apollo, are considered evil by the reader because they destroyed an innocent man’s life and his family. They destroyed Oedipus by controlling his fate, granting people the power of prophecy, telling Oedipus about his fate through the oracle of Apollo, and finally afflicting the people of Thebes with a dreadful plague. Fundamentally, by utilizing fate, prophecies, the oracle of Apollo, and the plague, the gods played a significant role in the destruction of Oedipus and his family.

    Read More

  • Summary: I Affirm The Code Lions

    798 Words  | 2 Pages

    Lions have two ways to go and eat other animals. They do it by first watching the animal they want to eat. Then they follow it until the lion starts running really fast at one point and catches the animal. The second way is they wait somewhere where the animal usually stays for example near the water or in a bush and when the animal goes there the lion jumps on it and eats him.

    Read More

More about The Role of the Gods in Homer's Odyssey

Open Document