Divine Intervention in the Odyssey: What Are the Effects on Odysseus?
Divine interventions in the The Odyssey made the epic novel more interesting. They also showed different sides of the gods and goddesses like Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Hermes, and even Zeus. However, were these gods allies or foes? Continue reading to find out how different gods placed their presence in various ways to intervene, all in this article.
What Is Divine Intervention in the Odyssey?
The Divine intervention in Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, refers to the inclusion of the Greek gods, such as Poseidon, Apollo, Athena, Hermes, and even Zeus, in the novel. Their appearances in the book play an integral role in influencing the outcome of Odysseus' journey.
Some of these gods helped the main protagonist, whereas others impeded Odysseus on his 10-year voyage. Homer uses Poseidon's fury, Athena's providence, and Hermes' leadership to emphasize the subject of divine intervention.
Reasons The Gods Intervene
In the epic poem, due to different reasons, the Greek gods show their presence and help the hero return home to his safety, back with his wife and only son. This happens because, in Greek mythology, the gods interact with humans, and sometimes they do good deeds, and sometimes they don't.
Poseidon
Together with his brothers, Zeus, the supreme god, and Hades, the god of the underworld, Poseidon is one of the principal gods in Greek mythology. As the God of the Sea, Poseidon is renowned for being an egotistical god with a short fuse and a taste for vengeance. As Odysseus had to go through the sea to get home, which is under Poseidon's control, he unknowingly provoked the god and ended up facing his wrath.
On their way home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, Odysseus and his men became stranded on the island of the cyclops, inhabited by a cyclops named Polyphemus, who was one of the numerous children of Poseidon. Polyphemus is a giant with one eye located in the center of his forehead. This was when he imprisoned Odysseus and his troops in a cave and shut them in by blocking the entrance with a huge boulder, this part shows how a divine hindered him.
When Polyphemus became intoxicated from being tricked into drinking wine, Odysseus and his soldiers worked together to blind the giant by driving a burning spike through his eye. Odysseus initially replied "nobody" when the Giant asked who he was, but his ego overcame him, and he eventually gave his name. This turned out to be his greatest mistake.
Poseidon was furious when he discovered what had happened to his son and who was responsible. Poseidon vowed to use all of his might to stop Odysseus from returning to Ithaca. In fact, Odysseus' journey lasted ten arduous years and was filled with difficulties, most of which were brought on by Poseidon.
Apollo
Apollo's divine intervention in The Odyssey was not as significant as Poseidon's, but still, he was an important character in the novel. Together with Athena, Apollo served as a guide and mentor for Odysseus.
He was also responsible for keeping Odysseus safe from Poseidon's fury. Being the god of archery, historians believed that it was Apollo's bow that Odysseus used to beat Penelope's suitors when he arrived in Ithaca.
Hermes
In Homer's Odyssey, Hermes is the messenger of the gods, who also helped in the return home. He served as a guide for Odysseus to find his way back to Ithaca. Hermes also helped to save the Greek hero and his men from Circe when they became stranded on an island.
Odysseus gave an order to 22 of his men, led by Eurylochus, to check the area. Nonetheless, during their exploration, they were able to catch sight of a stunning woman dancing and singing. It was the sorceress Circe, the daughter of the sun god Helios.
She transformed some of Odysseus' men into pigs and tried to subject Odysseus to her spells as well. However, Hermes gave the herb moly to protect Odysseus from Circe. Odysseus was spared, and he was able to force Circe to return his men to their original form, all because of Hermes' help.
Zeus
Being the supreme god, Zeus is capable of anything and can easily change the outcome of events as he can grant life or death. In the novel, he had several interventions that brought both punishment and protection for Odysseus and his men.
From the beginning to the end of the journey, they encountered different challenges and difficulties, especially after facing the incurring Poseidon's wrath. At the time when the storm at sea was so severe that they decided to stay on Helios' island while waiting for the storm to pass.
They were initially warned to stay away and refrain from touching Helios' prized golden cattle, as because it was very precious to him, he loved it dearly. However, his men had been waiting on the island for a couple of days already and are already running out of food.
Before leaving his men to pray, Odysseus warned them not to give in to any temptation of touching or getting near his cattle; however, hunger proved to be more influential, as it led to tragedy, as the men decided to kill the cattle and then offer some to the gods as a sign of payment for their sins, and the rest was to fulfill their hunger.
When Helios learned about this, he was enraged and requested Zeus to punish them. If not, he would not let the sunshine on earth and would drag it to the underworld. With this, Zeus let out one thunderbolt that struck Odysseus' men and killed them. Odysseus was the only one who survived. He then drifted to Calypso's island, where he became her prisoner for seven years.
Athena
Out of all the Greek gods and goddesses that were included in the novel, Athena played the greatest role here. As she was the goddess of battle and wisdom, Athena favored warriors and strong people.
With this, she feels a strong connection with Odysseus and oversees Odysseus' journey. Athena made sure that Odysseus would be able to return safely to his family in Ithaca. She also made sure that Odysseus' family was safe.
Saving Odysseus from Calypso
One of her most notable interventions of Athena was her persuasion of her father, Zeus, to help free Odysseus from Calypso, who held him captive for seven long years. Athena used her wisdom and eloquence to debate why Odysseus needed to be saved before the gods. In the end, Zeus obliged, and Hermes was sent to deliver Zeus' order for Odysseus' release.
Helping Telemachus
Another was when Athena, disguised as an old Ithacan, advised and guided Telemachus, Odysseus' son, to become a better version of himself. She led him to travel to Pylos and Sparta, where they met with Odysseus' friends.
This meet-up with his father's friends made Telemachus realize how great his father was, and he gained confidence. He also learned where his father was and this aspect lead Telemachus to return to Ithaca.
However, as per Athena's advice, he first went to Eumaeus' hut, and as he did so, he was saved from the suitor's plan to be murdered, this is how Athena helped him, and saved his life, by a simple gesture. In addition, it was a turn of events as he was also able to meet his father, Odysseus before he revealed himself.
Helping Penelope
Athena also guided Penelope, Odysseus' wife. By appearing in Penelope's dream, the goddess informed her that Odysseus would be returning, even if it seemed impossible because 10 years had already passed without any news about him. With this, Penelope was able to hold off being remarried.
FAQ
Why Is Telemachus Fearful When His Father Reveals His Identity?
Telemachus is fearful because he cannot believe that it is indeed his father. He initially thought it was a god who was playing tricks on him. The latter is because Odysseus appeared as a beggar before revealing his true identity, and Athena took this chance to restore Odysseus to his former glorious look. The transformation was so god-like that Telemachus was fearful at first.
What Impresses Telemachus About Menelaus and His Mansion?
Telemachus was impressed by Menelaus's view on riches and what he would trade for them. Menelaus mentioned that he would change anything just to get back the lives of family and friends that he had lost. Menelaus also recalled how he remembered Odysseus as a great war hero. This made Telemachus tear up and feel proud to be Odysseus' son.
What Prayer Does Penelope Make to Artemis?
Penelope prayed to Artemis to kill her. Having lost her husband for almost a decade and being pressured by her suitors into remarrying, it was so unbearable for Penelope that she prayed for her quick death instead.
Telemachus Disagrees With Part of Odysseus' Plan to Confront the Suitors. Why Is This Significant?
It is significant because it shows that Telemachus still followed his father even if he thought his plan was unattainable. It demonstrated the discipline and custom during those times and the weight of a father's decision that it must be followed.
Telemachus initially disagrees because he thinks Odysseus' plan is impossible. Since they are only two against the numerous suitors, it would be impossible to defeat them. In addition, Telemachus does not believe that Zeus and Athena will help them as they are mere mortals.
Conclusion
One of the most known Greek myths is The Odyssey, which tells the story of Odysseus' journey back home after the Trojan War. It was made more interesting by the numerous interventions by the Greek gods and goddesses. Let us recap what we have learned about these interventions.
The gods and goddesses who made an appearance and somewhat contributed to Odysseus' fate were Poseidon, Athena, Hermes, Apollo, and Zeus.
By incurring Poseidon's wrath, Odysseus' journey back home became a rough one. There were many instances wherein it seemed like it would be impossible for him to get around.
Zeus was the one who sent an eagle with the foot of a goose in its mouth, which showed hope to the hero's son, and he had the courage to stay strong and believe in his father's return.
However, with Athena's guidance and protection, Odysseus was able to get back home, claim back his throne, and restore peace and order to Ithaca.
Athena was able to guide and protect Odysseus and his family without breaking any law of the gods, simply proving that she is indeed the goddess of wisdom.
Even if there was an existing law for the gods and goddesses prohibiting them from meddling in the affairs of mortals, Odysseus' case was different, and this is the way the gods showed their presence in the story.
