...The Essential Role of Goddess in Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey Just as women were viewed as inferior to men during Homer’s era, a first glance at Homer’s epics The Iliad and The Odyssey portrays goddesses as inferiors to gods. Despite the era’s bias to men, the goddesses are of equal importance to the plot of his stories as the gods. The goddesses play vital roles as either helpers or nightmares to men by often determining the results of an action. Homer did not establish the goddesses in his epics merely as minor structures to blend in the background. Rather, he established dynamic goddesses who were both powerful and intelligent. In fact, in many ways the goddesses controlled the gods by having an influence in their decisions and actions through manipulation, persuasion and guidance. By influencing the gods, the goddesses also played a large role as shepherds for human fate. The goddess’s constant intervention in the mortals’ lives was driven by favoritism, love or sexual desires, and their pity for the weak. Although the goddesses are often restricted from doing as they wish by the gods, they have proven, in many occasions, to overpower the gods through manipulation. Goddesses were often told what to do by the gods. Tasks such as delivering messages from Zeus were often carried out by Athena. Just as Hector told his wife, “Go home, attend to your own handiwork at loom and spindle, and command the maids to busy themselves, too. As for war, that is for men, all we...
Words: 1970 - Pages: 8
...6th “Disguise Is Necessary” 1 In The Odyssey of Homer, disguise plays an influential role in the development of the plot and Odysseus’ return to Ithaca. In Book 1 of The Odyssey, Athena uses disguise to influence Telemachus. Athena comes to Ithaca disguised as Mentes, an old friend of Odysseus. Mentes convinces Telemachus to go search for his long lost father (1:271-279).1 Athena’s use of disguise in the opening book puts faith in Telemachus that his father may still be alive; this is very important for the development of the plot because Telemachus was on the cusp of giving up hope that Odysseus would never return home. The departure of Telemachus also reveals the character of the suitors as they plan to murder him upon his return to Ithaca. The suitors have already been characterized as greedy and disrespectful but their plot to kill Telemachus is evidence of how despicable they truly are. In Book 6, Athena uses disguise to persuade Nausicaa. Athena visits Nausicaa while she is asleep disguised as “the daughter of Dymas, famed for seafaring, a girl of the same age in whom her fancy delighted” (6: 22-23). Using this disguise Athena urges Nausicaa to wash clothes the following day (6: 25-31). Without Athena stirring Nausicaa in her sleep, her and Odysseus would not have been acquainted. Athena also persuades her to have a favorable opinion of Odysseus by making him appear more handsome and favorable than he actually is (6: 223-231). Athena’s use of disguise in this book of the...
Words: 1229 - Pages: 5
...Athena's father was the god Zeus, the leader of the Olympians, and her mother was a Titan named Metis. Although Zeus was married to Metis, he feared her power. One day he heard a prophecy that one of his children would take his throne. He promptly swallowed Metis and considered the problem solved. However, Zeus never knew that Metis was pregnant with Athena. She birthed Athena inside of Zeus and made her a helmet, shield, and spear. Soon, Zeus was afflicted with deadly headaches and he ran to Hephaestus, the Greek god of blacksmiths, sculptors, metallurgy, fire, and volcanoes, and begged him to open his head. Hephaestus did as he was told, and out came Athena, dressed in her armor and prepared to fight a battle. Like all the Olympians, Athena was an immortal goddess and could not die. She was the most intelligent, resourceful, and wise of all the Greek gods. She was also...
Words: 906 - Pages: 4
...Although women in Greece were typically disrespected, Homer integrates examples of women’s strength by incorporating clever and intelligent women in The Odyssey. In ancient Greece, the common belief was that under the law, women were completely under control of their husbands. This is evident because women who were the only child of their fathers wouldn’t inherit his property; but rather her husband. As a result, this became a defining stereotype that ruled over women in Greece. Also,because the Greek law requires women to be ruled by their husbands, the idea that women were unable to make their own decisions and were denied the basic rights that all men in Greece were granted is portrayed. Contrasting this common belief of Greek values;however, Penelope is illustrated as a powerful women by using her wits to trick the suitors. In The Odyssey, Penelope was able to hold off the suitors during her husband’s absence by unraveling the shroud she is weaving for Odysseus. While she claims she would eventually marry one of the suitors once she finished her loom, she prevents this by, “weaving at her great web-by night...she’d unravel all she’d done”(Homer 96). Throughout Penelope’s actions, the strength of women in ancient Greece is revealed because of her role in the household during Odysseus’...
Words: 475 - Pages: 2
...Odysseus of Ithaca: Famed or Fraud? Homer’s Odyssey tells the tale of the Trojan War hero Odysseus’s return home to his land of origin, Ithaca. Homer describes Odysseus as being one of, or possibly the greatest hero in all of Greece’s history. He is characterized as being a fearless, heroic man, who, with divine assistance, bests even the greatest monsters, and overcomes the most troublesome and life-threatening situations that he encounters, or the gods throw at him. However, if not for the assistance given to him by Athena, or any other divine figure, Odysseus’s journey would most likely have not worked out in his favor as it did, and he most likely would have perished within the very first books of The Odyssey. If divine assistance is what gave Odysseus his spark, courage and abilities, then are his abilities really justified? Who is the real Odysseus of Ithaca? Throughout many instances of The Odyssey, Odysseus is seen as this “almighty figure of excellence,” that can “never be beat or conquered.” However, despite the recognition that Odysseus deserves for accomplishing most of his feats, most of the work and assistance given to him was crafted by the goddess Athena; who constantly monitors Odysseus’s every move and protects him throughout the course of the tale. For example, on page 175 of the text, when Odysseus confronts the Phaecian princess Nausicaa, Athena personally makes him appear less menacing and worn. By doing this, Athena guaranteed that Odysseus would...
Words: 1149 - Pages: 5
...female characters, Athena, Calypso and Penelope, Homer’s epic tale would not have been as successful of a story because of their profound effect on the plot. The women not only play such vitals roles in the tale they also keep the readers interested enough to find out what will happen next. The women wielded their influence via womanly skills and goddess-like attributes: seduction, supernatural powers, intelligence, and beauty. The roll of the goddess is one of a supernatural being, but more importantly one in a position to pity and help mortals. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and battle, is the most prominent example of a goddess. In the very beginning of the story, Athena is pleading for Odysseus’ return home. She is pleading with her father, Zeus, for his release. This action shows Athena’s initiative and nerve. She is the driving force behind arranging Odysseus’ release from Calypso and making sure the princess, Nausicaa, found him on the shore of Skythera. Athena shows cleverness and ingenuity. Throughout the first half of the book Athena assists him in his journey:”When you cane here to my strong home, Odysseus, under my tall roof, headwinds were left behind you. Clear sailing shall you have now, homeward now...” (192) The next role is the role of the seductress. The seductress role is always perceived as dangerous and harmful to mankind. Calypso holds Odysseus captive as her lover and entices him with immortality. For the seven years while with Calypso, she protected him...
Words: 611 - Pages: 3
...“None of the women and goddesses whom Odysseus encounters are a match for him” How far do you agree with this statement? “There is nothing more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends.” Homer Women in Ancient Greece were considered inferior to men. Not only they had very few rights but also were treated like slaves, men were dominant in the ancient world. Yet in the Odyssey women played extremely significant roles. Women weren’t characterised as fragile powerless structures in the ancient social world, but as dominant and authoritative god like people. They delighted and deceived the men, virtually being the dominant sex of the tale. But was any woman or goddess a match for the lion-hearted Odysseys? In book 5, Odysseus encounters Calypso, Atlas’ daughter, when he is accidentally washed onto the shores of Ogygia. He spends 7 whole years on the island, where Calypso falls in love with him and disallows him to leave. Even when Zeus sends Hermes to command her to let Odysseus go she fights against it as the love for Odysseus is too strong. The protagonist is powerless against the Nymph and cannot leave without her agreement and her help. Although the stalwart Odysseus is immobilised on the island, he has Calypso under his arm. The Nymph tells Hermes that she will not help Odysseus but cannot resist that, she even offers him immortality in order for him to stay but the hero...
Words: 888 - Pages: 4
...Athena: Watching Over Odysseus and his Family Athena plays a very significant role in the Odyssey ensuring that Odysseus and his family are aware of their surroundings before they experience them and also making sure they are safe when being threatened. Athena takes a great liking to Odysseus because she sees the same cunning characteristics in him that she also sees in herself, and she takes it upon herself to ensure that he is safe on his return home to Ithaca. To give Odysseus greater happiness on his journey home after being away for 20 years, she makes sure that his family is safe and that he has the opportunity to take control back of his kingdom. Athena safeguards Odysseus’ family not only by giving Telemachos and Penelope both comfort and advice in decision-making, but also through direct involvement in the battle between Odysseus and the suitors to ensure his victory. Early in the Odyssey, Athena makes her presence and intentions known by encouraging Telemachos to go on a journey to Plyos and Sparta to try to find information on the whereabouts of his father. Athena not only instructs Telemachos what to do but she gets a crew of the best men of Ithaca together to ensure that he is safe. While visiting Nestor on his journey, Telemachos is intimidated by him and does not feel confident in asking Nestor questions about his father. Athena gives him the confidence to talk to Nestor and ask the important questions, telling him: “this is why you sailed the open sea, to find...
Words: 1143 - Pages: 5
...Xenia is the Greek word for hospitality. It is the law that requires both hosts and guests to be polite and respect each other. To be a good guest, one should provide his own stories, or bring trade or gift to the host. On the other hand, a good host has much more things to do than a good guest. He should bathe the guest, give him clothing, food, as well as guest present, and also transportation and protection. Gods might also disguise themselves into human beings to test the hospitality of a host. Xenia is an essential and highly expected quality for both guests and hosts according to Homer. In The Odyssey, he provides several examples: the suitors and Polyphemus (the Cyclops), Telemachus, Nestor, and Menelaus, as well as Calypso and Circe....
Words: 1151 - Pages: 5
...As humans or more importantly, mortals, even justified intentions can result in the deadliest of consequences. In addition, society often aims to choose the most viable of opportunities, however a compromise is usually forced and as a result, progress is made in irrelevant fields. In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, many conflicts occur between Odysseus and his enemies, however the entirety of them have legitimate reasons. Odysseus injures Polyphemus out of necessity for the survival of his crew. Also, he kills the suitors as compensation for tarnishing his home. Similarly, the servants and other such characters are killed for betraying Odysseus’s household and supporting the suitors. To begin, Odysseus drugs and blinds Polyphemus, not...
Words: 1134 - Pages: 5
...Exposition The Odyssey begins ten years after the end of the ten-year Trojan War, and Odysseus has still not returned home from the war. Odysseus' son Telemachus is about 20 years old and is sharing his absent father’s house on the island of Ithaca with his mother Penelope and a crowd of 108 boisterous young men, "the Suitors", whose aim is to persuade Penelope to marry one of them, all the while enjoying the hospitality of Odysseus' household and eating up his wealth. Odysseus’ protectress, the goddess Athena, discusses his fate with Zeus, king of the gods, at a moment when Odysseus' enemy, the god of the sea Poseidon, is absent from Mount Olympus. Then, disguised as a Taphian chieftain named Mentes (otherwise known as “Mentor”), she visits Telemachus to urge him to search for news of his father. He offers her hospitality; they observe the Suitors dining rowdily while the bard Phemius performs a narrative poem for them. Penelope objects to Phemius' theme, the "Return from Troy"[5] because it reminds her of her missing husband, but Telemachus rebuts her objections. That night Athena, disguised as Telemachus, finds a ship and crew for the true Telemachus. The next morning, Telemachus calls an assembly of citizens of Ithaca to discuss what should be done with the suitors. Accompanied by Athena (still disguised as Mentor), he departs for the Greek mainland and the household of Nestor, most venerable of the Greek warriors at Troy, now at home in Pylos. From there, Telemachus rides...
Words: 1772 - Pages: 8
...world. A lot of people refer to everything that is happening in the world such as fire, light, water to the Greek mythology. The Greek mythology not only includes myths, but it also includes a lot of details of the lives and adventures of a wide variety of gods, goddesses, heroes, heroines, demigods, monsters and other mythological creatures. Greek mythology has exerted an extensive influence on the culture, the arts, and the literature of more than one civilization. Poets and artists from ancient times to the present have derived inspiration from Greek mythology and have discovered contemporary significance and relevance in these mythological themes. Also, beside gods and myths there are the two world-known epic poems The Iliad and Odyssey, that focus on events surrounding the Trojan War. Before entering upon the many strange beliefs of the ancient Greeks and the extraordinary number of gods they worshipped, first I would like to show what kind of beings these divinities were. Then I will tell the stories of some of the most famous gods that have left a mark in the world. 2. Gods and their characteristics In appearance, the gods were supposed to resemble mortals, whom, however, they far surpassed in beauty, grandeur, and strength; they were also more commanding in stature, height being considered by the Greeks an attribute of beauty in man or woman. They resembled human beings in their feelings...
Words: 2864 - Pages: 12
...GREEK MYTHOLOGY Background to Homer’s Odyssey As you read each story, ask yourself: What is most enjoyable, predictable, or bizarre about this story? How would I have responded in this situation? What mysteries or features of the world might this story try to explain? What bit of moral or religious instructions (i.e. don’t disobey the gods) might be contained in this story? How does this story compare with Christian beliefs, or with the values of our culture today? Are there any other stories or fables I’ve heard that follow the same pattern as this story? The Creation Myths Part 1 Before there was anything, there was Chaos, a formless void. This void, this pure nothingness, gave birth to Gaea (the Earth itself), Tartarus (the underworld), Eros (love), Erebus (underground darkness) and Nyx (the darkness of night). The two kinds of darkness joined together and gave birth two kinds of light: the Light of the heavens and the Light of day. Nyx (night) also gave birth to the three Fates, who control the course of the universe and determine the length of each person’s life on their wheel of fortune. Of the fates, Clotho spins the threads of each person’s life, Lachesis measures the length of the thread, and Atropos cuts the thread. The Fates – Francisco Goya (one of the best painters ever!) 1823 – Note the scissors in the hand of Atropos and Lachesis measuring with a magnifying glass. Who’s...
Words: 10610 - Pages: 43
...U MYTHOLOGY U GODS AND GODDESSES IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY Michelle M. Houle Copyright © 2001 by Michelle M. Houle All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Houle, Michelle M. Gods and Goddesses in Greek Mythology / Michelle M. Houle. p. cm. — (Mythology) Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary: Discusses various Greek myths, including creation stories and tales of principal gods and goddesses. ISBN 0-7660-1408-8 1. Mythology, Greek—Juvenile literature. [1. Mythology, Greek.] I. Title. II. Mythology (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) BL782 .H68 2000 398.2’0938’01—dc21 00-028782 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 To Our Readers: All Internet Addresses in this book were active and appropriate when we went to press. Any comments or suggestions can be sent by e-mail to Comments@enslow.com or to the address on the back cover. Cover and illustrations by William Sauts Bock CONTENTS Chart of Major Gods and Goddesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 6 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 The War Between the Titans and the Olympians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Prometheus and Earth’s First Inhabitants . . . . . . . . . . . ....
Words: 26757 - Pages: 108
