Relationship of Gods and Humans in Odyssey by Homer - Essay Example

Introduction In the Odyssey, the epic by Homer, different ancient Greek aspects are revealed through characters, plot, and actions. Different themeshave also been used to portray the ancient Greeks ways f lives. This paper will look at three important themes portrayed within the epic. 1. The Relationship of Gods and Humans The main differences between the gods and the humans in the Odyssey, is the immortality and divine powers of the Gods. The gods were very active in the life of humans while the humans invited the gods to favor and empower them in their different endeavors1. This clearly indicates that the gods lived closer to humans. Zeus loved Odysseus for his great character and honor. In some instances both male and female gods and humans interbred to produce demi-gods. The gods are depicted as envious beings who deviously covet the immortality of humans of valor. Glory and fame are highly sought after by both gods and humans through the undertaking of wars and other dangerous feats like monster slaying. Though the gods intervene to assist humans, they are envious and hence want to take credit for the actions of humans. Athena is a great admirer of Odysseus' shear genius in war and wisdom. The violent and very warlike culture of the humans is also reflected and reciprocated in their gods2. This is an indication of the gods’ efforts to fit within the human’s world. Love, lust, and sexual activity is heavily prevalent in both humans and the gods. Jealousy among the gods towards men and each other is also a common feature in the odyssey. Gods picked favorites and took sides against each other in favor of their human subjects. It is clear that the gods had normal human feelings. Humans on the other hand only owed allegiance to the gods that favored them and only worshipped and appeased them for selfish gain. Odysseus is helped out by Athena who changes him into an old beggar and enables him to enter his castle without attracting undue attention from his wives suitors. It is clear that humans worship the gods but mostly due to special favors but not because they are very powerful. The gods are not that powerful. II Hospitality There was a belief that Zeus the chief of all gods looked after wayfarers and rewarded those who were hospitable to them. Most guests blessed their hosts in the name of Zeus who was the most powerful of all the gods. This quest to please the god Zeus sometimes worked out badly for the hosts who feared incurring the wrath of the gods. There is a clear indication of jealous between gods here, especially towards Zeus because of his power hence gods would get angered if he was respected because of their hospitality. Penelope the wife of Odysseus and a queen found herself with a houseful of undesirable house guests as she feared the reprieve of evicting them. Evicting a guest considered as uncivilized and barbaric and an undesirable act for one such as the queen. The world that Odysseus lived in was one full of danger, betrayal war and most importantly death. Information was therefore a very valuable asset in a world that relied on news from travelers who passed by their dwellings. Commercially run establishments that establishments that offered room and board were great centers for information gathering. In other words, hospitality was a way of survival in the sense that it brought information from the outside to uncover any risks. People were very cautious about strangers who entered their towns and villages and took great pains to interrogate them3. This made a good reputation a valuable asset as it had the capacity for opening or shutting doors. Quests might be harmless or even dangerous. Odysseus got a kings welcome and all the supplies he needed simply because of his reputation despite having lost all he had in the ship wreck. Hospitality was not just an issue between individuals but also between kingdoms. Therefore treating a prominent person badly in another kingdom was sure to cause bad relations between the two kingdoms. Friendships and hospitality of individuals was a sure guarantee of an allegiance even on kingdom level. Here, hospitality was meant to demonstrate sound qualities for humans and create hopes for members of the kingdom to get a fair treatment when they travel as well. Calypso the goddess earned the wrath of Athena and Zeus who ganged up against her because she held Odysseus prisoner and delayed his journey back home (Homer 1946, 330). Hospitality was important since quests brought and received news. III The Female Agency Females though depicted as weaker in physical strength had a reputation as crafty beings with a very potent sexual manipulation. Gods and men were all considered as vulnerable targets for female sexuality. The female gods in particular are depicted as sex hungry and lustful beings that would trap any man they desired and imprisoned him till they tired of him. Females, both humans and gods are seen using sex as a weapon. Though they were weak, it is their way of keeping males. Female humans use sex as a sign of loyalty and even they are their husbands’ properties. However, female gods use sex to trap human males. They are not loyal to them but only use them for their sexual desires. Calypso was infamous in her lustful entrapment of mortal men who took her fancy. Female gods were wives, consorts and lovers to male gods and lovers to men. Though they could marry male gods as a sign of loyalty, they were not loyal to humans. Human females were also lovers to the gods but could not marry them even though they gave birth to their offspring. Females were mothers and nurturers of life though the female gods at times participated in the taking of life. Penelope was an excellent wife to Odysseus, and a loving mother to their son. She demonstrated the great virtues that were treasured and desirable in women such as wisdom, faithfulness, love and sexual purity 4. Penelope only employed trickery in pursuit of the higher virtues such as when she lied about not finishing her father in laws burial shroud. Though she lied she is absolved of blame because she only did so in order to but time for her husband's return. Conclusion These 3 themes are quite significant since they help form the moral as well as the ethical constitution for most characters. They assist readers to know more about the people’s way of life. Readers can understand the relationship between the gods and humans, what welcoming others meant to the people, and what loyalty meant to the gods and humans, especially the women through these themes. Bibliography Homer, E. V. Rieu. Odyssey. Baltimore: Penguin, 1946. Read More