Greek Gods In The Odyssey

Characteristics of the Gods

The three characteristics of the Greek Gods that are presented throughout Odysseus’s journey are that they are powerful, they could be helpful or harmful to his voyage, and they are worshiped by human. The gods presented in The Odyssey, especially Zeus and Poseidon, show their power and rage throughout Odysseus’s journey. Zeus, the God of all the Gods, is so powerful, he could destroy and entire ship and crew if he needs to because he wants to destroy Odysseus’s ship. Zeus is “still obsessed with plans to destroy my entire oar swept fleet and loyal crew of comrades” (229). Just like Zeus, Poseidon is also extremely powerful. He is so powerful, his great name, Earth-Shaker, shows his awesome might. Poseidon
is deeply angry with Odysseus and Odysseus declares “it’s the Earth-Shaker, Poseidon, unappeased, forever fuming against him for the Cyclops whose giant eye he blinded” (79). Odysseus blinded the Cyclops, Poseidon’s son, and Poseidon will not forgive him for that. Zeus, being one of the most powerful Gods there are, could kill and entire group of people if he desires or if needed. The suitors have angered Telemachus for the last time so he cries “out to the everlasting Gods in hopes that Zeus will pay you back with a vengeance- all of you destroyed my house while I go scot-free myself!” (98). All of the suitors are in Telemachus’s house and they are destroying it. The God’s power is unquestionable and incomparable to humans. As Odysseus’s journey continues, some of the gods are helpful and some are harmful to the progress of his voyage.
Athena, being a god who helps him throughout his entire journey, inspires him with blazing accusations and complements while he is fighting the wretched suitors. She wants to know where its “gone, Odysseus- your power, your fighting heart? The great soldier who fought for famous white-armed Helen, battling Trojans nine long years- nonstop, no mercy, mowing their armies down in grueling battle- you who sized the broad streets of Troy with your fine strategic stroke!” (446). She goes on and keeps telling him these words of wisdom and he gets inspired and fights harder. Poseidon is the major character who harms the course of his journey. He has this destructive feeling for Odysseus and he longs for the opportunity the kill him and his crew. “I’d like to avenge myself at once, as you advise, but I’ve always feared your wrath and shied away. But now I’ll crush that fine Phaecian cutter out on the misty sea, now on her homeward fun from the latest convoy” (291). By the end of the story and when Odysseus is back home fighting the suitors, finally Zeus in on his side and finally he has earned his respect for Zeus shows himself on Odysseus’s side during this gory fight. Just when Odysseus shot his arrow, “Zeus cracked the sky with a bolt, his blazing sign, and the great man who had borne so much rejoice at last that the son of cunning Cronus flung that omen down for him”
(437). Whether the Gods are helpful or harmful, they are influential to Odysseus’s journey. Throughout the Odyssey, the humans try to find forgiveness or they just want to please the Gods by worshiping them. Before a battle or fight of any kind, they would call out a God’s name right before. After Odysseus shoots his first arrow, he says, “Look- your crucial test is finished, now, al last! But another target’s left that no one’s hit before- we’ll see if I can hit it- Apollo give me glory!” (439). During most of this story, Poseidon either wants to kill Odysseus, or throw his off course. Then, Odysseus “at that, he bellowed out to lord Poseidon, thrusting his arms to the starry skies, and prayed, ‘Hear me Poseidon, god of the sea-blue mane who rocks the earth!”’ (228). Odysseus is trying to earn Poseidon’s respect. It’s either that, or he is most likely to die. Early in the story, Poseidon visits the Ethiopians to receive offerings because the humans worship him. He went there to “receive an offering, bulls and rams by the hundred- far away at the feast the Sea-lord sat and took his pleasure” (78). This is just another example of how the humans worshiped, the Gods because they are a higher power and much greater than their own.