The Odyssey
Monday, February 6, 2012
Book XVI
Divine intervention plays an important role in the entirety of the Odyssey, but occurs again in this book. Although he has already talked with Athena, Odysseus's plan involves help from the gods, and is expecting it. In the past, how necessary was this intervention, where would it have been needed or unnecessary, and how big of a role do you think it will play in the attack against the suitors?
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The gods' intervention has carried Odysseus home and saved him from death multiple times. When Odysseus was sailing from Calypso's island, he was blown off course and his little makeshift raft was destroyed. Instead of drowning in the middle of the sea, like many others would have in his situation, Odysseus was saved by Athena and brought to Alcinous' house by Nausicaa. During many periods of time, however, Odysseus did not need the help of the gods. An example of such a time is during the Trojan horse strategy. No gods helped him contrive a plan to destroy the city of Troy and live to tell the tale, as he was not yet proven as such an important man. He though of the plan himself and executed the attack without the help of any gods. Against the suitors, Athena will play a huge role in the success of the mission. Although Odysseus has defeated many dangerous people, creatures, and accomplished many amazing feats, it is extremely hard, nearly impossible, to kill over 100 suitors with only one other man. Although there have been times along Odysseus' journey where he has accomplished a lot by himself, the success of his strategy to kill the suitors depends on how much Athena wishes to help.
ReplyDeleteThe gods' interventions has either led Odysseus to near-death experiences, or kept him alive through struggle. Athena's interventions have helped Odysseus on countless occasions, including when he needed help finding Nausicaa's palace, or even when he almost died crashing onto the island of Phaeacia. There have also been times when an intervention was unnecessary, and most of these came from the god of the sea, Poseidon. After Odyssues blinded Posidon's son, the cyclops, Polyphemus, Poseidon has been enraged that he is still alive. There were countless occasions when he blew Odysseus' ship off course and almost killed him, including that time he crashed on to Phaeacia. Just as in past books, Odysseus needs an intervention from Athena and even Zeus in order to be triumphant, return to his family, and rule the island of Ithaca once again. In order for two men to fight off 118 strong and violent suitors, Odysseus and Telemachus are going to need all the help they can get, and Athena has brought them this far, so she will want to finish her job and bring the royal family back together. Odysseus has so much faith in her because she has helped him out so many times before and he knows she wants to keep him alive in time to reveal himself to his beloved wife and kingdom.
ReplyDeleteThe gods have played a huge role in this book so far. Athena has intervened the most in the Odyssey, by helping odysseus get out of many situtations. One example like brandon said, is that when another god made the seas rough, Athena calmed down the winds and sea to let odysseus get home safely. She has been a big reason why odysseus is alive right now. she is going to be even more important in the battle against the suitors. Odysseus is outnumbered, and pretty much stands no chance against them by himself, which is why Athena is going to be very important again if she decides to jump in and help odysseus again. The gods are some of the most important characters in the book. They help shape the books by making odysseus journey harder, or disguising something, and even helping odysseus.
ReplyDeleteSo far, the gods have always been there for Odysseus, playing a great role in his actions and adventure. Odysseus would have never have gotten home to Ithaca if it wasn't for Athena persuading decisions for him and always there to make sure that Odysseus is making the right choice. But, the thing is, Odysseus never new that the gods were with him. Now, he does and he expects them to be there to lead him the way. I don't think Odysseus should be as reliable on the gods since anything could happen. He still needs to pray to the gods and show them respect, not know that they are going to be there because the gods have all the power. Defeating 118 suitors is a lot for a father and son to handle. It seems almost impossible. I think that gods have to play a great role against the suitors in order for Odysseus and Telemachus to battle them. The father and son have to have faith in the gods though, not just expect them to be there.
ReplyDeleteOdysseus has always kept faith in the gods, and this time is no exception. Athena has inspired him when he nearly drowned on the way from Ogygia and helped him find Nausicaa, whose family helped him home. These interventions have never been unnecessary, however, Poseidon’s interventions always end up in disaster. He nearly always tries to crash his ship or send him into danger because he is angry about Odysseus’s fight with Polyphemus. This kind of intervention will be disastrous for Telemachus and Odysseus, for they are fighting angry and violent suitors who vastly out number them and will need all the help they can get. Odysseus and Telemachus are definitely favored by the gods, who want their family to reunite and the kingdom to prosper. There is an excellent chance of their triumph over the suitors, however, the gods may suddenly decide to test them to make sure they know the gods are not their servants. Hopefully, their faith, greatness, and relationship with the gods will be enough to overcome the evil suitors.
ReplyDeleteThe intervention from the Gods has been a key role in the Odysseus' journey thus far. From getting off of Ogygia to looking more handsome for the royalty of Phaeaecia, Athena has been helping him relentlessly, and without her he definitely would not be in the place he is today. The only times so far that the intervention from the gods has been unnecessary is when the Gods have intervened with Odysseus' life for a bad cause, such as when Poseidon tries to kill him in the sea. I think that the role of the Gods in Odysseus' attack on the suitors will be essential, especially because Odysseus and Telemachus are planning on fighting a battle where the numbers are not in their odds. Although Telemachus at first has doubts in his father's plan, Odysseus knows deep down that as long as the gods are on his side he should have nothing to worry about. Athena has already reminded Odysseus a relentless number of times that she is only trying to help him, and as long as this remains true and Poseidon does not intervene negatively, Odysseus and Telemachus will win the fight no doubt.
ReplyDeleteThe gods have always been there for Odysseus. Without the help and intervention of some gods he would have never got off Ogygia or look like a god in front of everyone. WIthout the gods he wouldn't have made it out of trouble and would probably be dead. However, not all the intervention is good. If Poseidon had not intervened with Odysseus, Odysseus would have made it home easily. So it's the gods fault that Odysseus never made it home earlier, but the reason Odysseus is still alive and has accomplished so much is because of the gods.
ReplyDeleteSo far the intervention of the Gods has played a crucial role in Odysseus' travels.The Gods intervention during the attack against the suitors will be essential. Because Odysseus and Telemachus are so out numbered any help from the Gods will be needed. Even though Telemachus and Odysseus probably think that they can handle this fight, they are definitely hoping that the Gods will be there to help them especially at this moment in time when they actually need it.Without Athena, Odysseus would have never been able to be disguised as a different character, like when he was telling the swineherd his "story," or even as Amy said when he got to Ogygia. Athena's help allowed Odysseus to wash up on Scheria only to be found by Nausicaa, whose family helped him survive and continue on with his travels. However, Odysseus' journey would have been so much easier if Poseidon has not intervened causing various obstacles to get in his way. Poseidon's hatred towards Odysseus will keep occurring through out the rest of the story, but the Gods will always be there to help Odysseus escape safely.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that the actual attack of the suitors will have much intervention from the gods but I do believe that the events and time leading up to the attack will have a lot of help from Athena. There might also be some bad help from Poseidon to help the suitors since he hates Odysseus so much. Athena will have to work quickly in order to make sure that Poseidon does nothing that will put Odysseus in danger. I don't think all of the intervention from the gods so far was completely necessary but each one had a specific point that either helped or hindered in some way. If Odysseus is going to be successful in killing the suitors he must not rely on help from the gods because not all of them are on his side.
ReplyDeleteThe gods have helped and hurt Odysseus and his journey. The Gods have helped Odysseus countless times in his journey. Hermes’ help was necessary on Circe’s island, without it Odysseus would be a pig right now. Zeus and Athena got Odysseus off of Calypso’s island. Circe showed Odysseus the way home. Aeolis tried to help Odysseus home by giving him the bag of winds. Although all of these gods have done so much to get Odysseus home, Poseidon has hurt Odysseus’ journey more than once by ruining his ships, landing him on unknown islands and killing his crew. I think that the Gods intervention is necessary in this chapter because Odysseus, Telemachus and Eumaeus are fighting so many suitors and without the Gods they would be incredibly outnumbered. I think that their involvement in the battle will play an huge role in their victory.
ReplyDeleteDude, pretty deep book. A father and son united for the first time is a very emotional moment. I got to say, it must have been pretty awkward to have been Eumaeus. But seriously it's good to see after sixteen books father and son are united. I only have one question. What happens for the rest of the book? But my real question is will Poseidon help and warn the suitors? I mean If i were him, I would be pretty upset at all the gods for letting Odysseus go, even though he killed my son. Anyway, the suitors finalize their plans to kill Telemachus, again. I think Odysseus is going to bring down the hammer with vengeance and kill every single one of those suitors.
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