God's Control Mortals Fate
There are many debates among critics about the gods’ function in society. The gods in The Odyssey appear and reappear throughout the poem, portraying themselves in human form or divine form to mortals. But the reasons why they constantly make appearances in mortals’ lives is unclear. When they do appear, they bring good and bad things for mortals. So, what roles do the gods play in the poem and how do they affect mortals’ lives? According to Wolfgang Kullman, Athena and Zeus indirectly work together to help Odysseus return home. He believes that the gods are acting as friends, attempting to help out their worshippers. Others like Jenny Clay, believes that the gods only care about the gifts offered from mortals and do not care to help them in times of struggle. The example given is when Zeus refuse to intervene to help Odysseus as Poseidon was changing his course at sea, bringing storms and obstacles to prevent Odysseus from returning home. Another critic, Michael …show more content…
The suitors want Telemakhos to let his mother go, but in response he confronts them, saying he will get rid of them, hoping they will one day die in his house. Zeus intervenes to assist him: “Telemakhos spoke, and Zeus in answer / Sent forth two eagles from a mountain peak. / They drifted lazily for a while on the wind, / Side by side, with wings outstretched” (2.162-165). The only reason why Zeus intervenes is because he knows it is Odysseus’s fate to return to Ithaca. Everyone knows that Odysseus will return home so Zeus wants to warn the suitors that no matter how hard they try to take over Ithaca, their work will fail. Odysseus is destined to rule Ithaca. This portrays Zeus as the decider of fate because he does not manipulate or control the actions that Telemakhos and Odysseus should take, but instead, Zeus aids Telemakhos by sending a signal to scare the suitors
There are many debates among critics about the gods’ function in society. The gods in The Odyssey appear and reappear throughout the poem, portraying themselves in human form or divine form to mortals. But the reasons why they constantly make appearances in mortals’ lives is unclear. When they do appear, they bring good and bad things for mortals. So, what roles do the gods play in the poem and how do they affect mortals’ lives? According to Wolfgang Kullman, Athena and Zeus indirectly work together to help Odysseus return home. He believes that the gods are acting as friends, attempting to help out their worshippers. Others like Jenny Clay, believes that the gods only care about the gifts offered from mortals and do not care to help them in times of struggle. The example given is when Zeus refuse to intervene to help Odysseus as Poseidon was changing his course at sea, bringing storms and obstacles to prevent Odysseus from returning home. Another critic, Michael …show more content…
The suitors want Telemakhos to let his mother go, but in response he confronts them, saying he will get rid of them, hoping they will one day die in his house. Zeus intervenes to assist him: “Telemakhos spoke, and Zeus in answer / Sent forth two eagles from a mountain peak. / They drifted lazily for a while on the wind, / Side by side, with wings outstretched” (2.162-165). The only reason why Zeus intervenes is because he knows it is Odysseus’s fate to return to Ithaca. Everyone knows that Odysseus will return home so Zeus wants to warn the suitors that no matter how hard they try to take over Ithaca, their work will fail. Odysseus is destined to rule Ithaca. This portrays Zeus as the decider of fate because he does not manipulate or control the actions that Telemakhos and Odysseus should take, but instead, Zeus aids Telemakhos by sending a signal to scare the suitors