Zeus's Role In The Odyssey

. The roles of Zeus, Athena, and Poseidon in the Odyssey either aid or hinder Odysseus’ journey home. First off, when Odysseus was held captive from Calypso,”Hermes explains that he has brought with an order from Zeus that Calypso must not detain Odysseus any longer but send him on his way home.”(Homer 1208). Zeus is considered to be helping Odysseus by agreeing to let him out of the island. Poseidon has been a burden because he heard his son, Polyphemus’ curse towards Odysseus, “O hear me, lord, blue girdler of the islands...grant that Odysseus..[shall] never see his home...dark the years between...Let him lose all his companions”(Homer 1223). Poseidon ends up cursing Odysseus and his crew by sending many storms, delaying the trip, therefore
A mistake Odysseus makes while on Polyphemus’ island would be his excessive pride getting out of control. Despite Odysseus’ crew’s protests, he taunts Polyphemus and adds, “Cyclops, if ever mortal man inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye: Laertes’ son, whose home’s on Ithaca!”(Homer 1222), revealing everything about himself for the cyclops to pray to Poseidon to curse his journey. Odysseus’ trip would’ve been a lot easier if he hadn’t made Polyphemus angry with his taunting. He only would have been punished for stabbing his eye. Poseidon is definitely going to listen to polyphemus request and odysseus made it easier for the god to track him down.

3. Qualities that make Odyssey a story that is still read today is its interesting plot, suspense, and archetypes mentioned throughout the entire story. For example, at the end of the test of the bow, “Telemachus, true son of King Odysseus,...stood by his chair,in the forefront near his father”(Homer 1255) shows a cliffhanger, which is prevalent in many books today. It allows the story to build up suspense and read on in an action story. Archetypes are a main reason this story is appealing; gods intervening, sidekicks, and heroes are always present in an adventure and action story like the
Penelope’s actions while Odysseus is away shows her cleverness. She presents, “ Here is my lord Odysseus’ hunting bow. Bend and string it if you can. Who sends the an arrow through iron axe-helve sockets, twelve in line? I join my life with his,...” (Homer 1252). Instead of hopelessly letting the suitors take over her home, she presents a contest to find out who is worthy enough to take her husband's place. It is nearly impossible to string Odysseus’ bow, but seeing the beggar, she probably has suspects him as being Odysseus, therefore having a shrewd tone while announcing the contest. She also demonstrates cleverness by still testing Odeysseus’ idnetity after he won the contest.

7.What does Penelope and Odysseus’ bed represent?

Like how the bed can’t be moved, their marriage is strong and can't be broken apart. Odysseus describes the sturdy bed, “No builder had the skill for [moving the bed]- unless a god came down to turn the trick. No mortal in his best days could budge it with a crowbar.” (Homer 1264). This special bed is a symbol of their relationship, both having a strong bond. Odysseus getting mad at the bed being broken apart and moved would be like getting mad over their relationship being broken. The bed was also made from beautiful metals, and handcrafted carefully by Odysseus- their memories