How Did Odysseus Justify Their Actions

In both The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Essential Odyssey, the actions of key individuals are continuously being placed under question. As a result, it can be very difficult to understand what can be considered just in situations. I will first demonstrate how the characters in both of these texts were granted approval and gained support from either their gods or community leaders. I will then analyze how even though these individuals went against other groups of people, their actions were still just because of the people that they received approval from. Finally, I will argue the ability that some people have over others and how that, in turn, impacts how a situation is perceived. While individuals might justify their behaviors based on personal beliefs, through observing the approval and support from individuals who have a higher importance or authority one can better understand what constitutes justice and just behavior. For example, several gods helped Odysseus throughout his journey and, in the end, helped to justify his actions when other may not have seen them as just. Odysseus on several occasions specifically asked
That said, Odysseus’ actions in killing the suitors can still be justified. This is due to the fact that he carefully and skillfully planned and executed his plans to act on the justice he believed was right while having support from Athena. Not only as he planned his killing of the suitors, but throughout Odysseus’ journey Athena supported him, and it can be said that Athena was the leading force in getting Odysseus home to Ithaca. As soon as he got back to his homeland and saw the state of Ithaca and his family firsthand as “Odysseus was [seen]…planning death for the suitors with Athena’s aid.” (Homer 2007,