Hermes In The Odyssey

In reading the first four books of "The Odyssey" we see a lot of different struggles going on but once we focus on Telemachus we begin to capture a more metal picture of this main character. Odysseus's son, Telemachus has lost his father, suitors are pursuing his mother, and he is learning how to grow up without the legendary guidance of his great father. Telemachus appears to be a young, lost boy who is trapped in a world that he has no control over. Feelings of being left behind and not getting the recognition he so rightfully deserves to take over the throne, Telemachus will set out on a journey to find the answers he needs.

Heroes, as shown in literature, often undertake the most difficult tasks and place themselves in mortal danger in order to bring back, for themselves and their societies, both knowledge and treasure. Their stories follow “Hero Journey.” The Odyssey, as the epic story of the hero Odysseus, follows closely the complete cycle of a Hero Journey, both as a physical and as a psychological undertaking. The Hero Journey, used as a framework for both Odysseus’ physical and mental journeys, serves to bind the two together. Each of Odysseus’s physical difficulties can be viewed as a metaphor for a psychological hardship that he must overcome, and by overcoming these hardships, Odysseus matures—achieving a more complete understanding of himself and

Out of the tortoiseshell, he crafts a lyre, this is a metaphor for crafting, as gods take the natural world and are able to put it to use. Once confronted by Apollo, Hermes gives a lying speech, he whistles and winks at Apollo making him laugh. Hermes acts like a child and tells Apollo, “I care for sleep, and milk of my mother's breast, and wrappings round my shoulders … I was born yesterday” (263-264). His playful nature allows him to express his musical skills, as he sings sweet songs with his lyre, and manages to trade it for the cattle. Hermes uses his wits and humour to defuse the situation. He is so charming when lying to Zeus, that even he, the great and powerful who punishes those who misbehave, lets Hermes get away with it.

Many forms of popular culture today are inspired by themes, characters, and other references in various types of classical literature. John Denver's song 'Calypso'; is about the relationship between men and women, and he bases this comparison on the relationship between Kalypso and Odysseus in Homer's the Odyssey. In 'Calypso'; Denver portrays women in general as being superior to men by using the beautiful and enchanting goddess, Kalypso, from Homer's epic. John Denver encompasses all women in his song by providing Kalypso as a universal symbol. Along with the relationship between Odysseus and Kalypso and men and women, there are other interpreted allusions from the Odyssey to Kalypso's song.

Focus on the descriptions of the palaces of Nestor and Menelaus. Find quotations that describe their virtues:

Hermes is a great ambassador of gods, the guide for human souls to the underworld, and a wise God. Hermes is the messenger of gods, because he has the magic sandals, which provide him the ability to fly. Hermes’s name in Rome is Mercury, meaning moves quickly through the sky. Hermes Greek name means fortune stone. He is an only Olympian who empower to travel through the Olympus, Earth and underworld. Moreover, Hermes is not only son of Zeus, but also known as a great helper for his father, Zeus. However, he is notorious as a thief, traveller, and a merchant. Usually, Hermes carries with himself the caduceus with twin snakes wrap around in hand, wings at heels, and the dark helmet on head (Skidmore, Joel). In a conclusion, Hermes is considers both good and bad in Greek mythology.

Further along his journey, Odysseus sails upon the island of Aeaea, where Circe, a goddess with magical powers, lives. When he goes to confront her, after she has turned his men into pigs, “The god Hermes stops him to give him a

Hermes was a god of fertility in Greek Mythology. He was especially concerned with the sheep and goats raised by his principal worshippers, the people in Arcadia, Southern Greece. In ancient poetry, Hermes functioned as a messenger of the gods. Hermes was also a guide for souls to the underworld and for travelers. Also, he was a protector of boundaries; a helper of heralds, speakers, traders, and thieves; and a bringer of good or unexpected luck.

After the Trojan War is over and Odysseus begins his journey home, the next woman that he comes in contact with is the goddess Circe. A formidable opponent to the hero, she tries to make Odysseus succumb to her magic, but fails: he is the one man who resists successfully. Again, we as readers must accept that Odysseus is superior among all humans and can challenge an immortal. Circe, like many of the other women of this story, is used as a stepping stone for Odysseus to complete his journey, but at the same time she is not portrayed as a weakling. She has had power over humans for ages before this and will continue to have it; Odysseus, however, will forever be the exception.

She is a powerful witch with hair that resembles flames. Odysseus stayed on her island for a year. Circe hinders Odysseus by making his men lose their desire to go home. She poisons his men and turns them into pigs. She helps Odysseus by explaining the dangers he will face and telling him how he can minimize risks.

Circe- Circe is a deceitful goddess that turns those that end up on her island into pigs. She eventually captured Odysseus’ crew but, with the help of Hermes, the messenger god Odysseus is able to overcome her. Hermes gives Odysseus a magical plant called moly that, when eaten, will make him immune to her spell. When Odysseus confronts Circe, he convinces her to turn his crew back into their human forms. Odysseus and Circe then fall in love and live together on the island for a year. Her character remains static through much of the

It is important to keep reading, “The Odyssey.” Even though it is 2800, years old, students still need to learn about it. It is important to continue studying “The Odyssey” because is it a moral story, the historical significance is important, and it is essential to study other culture’s mythology.

Ten years after the fall of Troy, the victorious Greek hero Odysseus has still not returned to his native land Ithaca. A band of rowdy suitors, believing Odysseus to be dead, has overrun his palace, courting his faithful—though weakening—wife Penelope, and going through his stock for food. With permission from Zeus, the goddess Athena, Odysseus' greatest immortal ally, appears in disguise and urges Odysseus' son Telemachus to seek news of his father at Pylos and Sparta. However, the suitors, led by Antinous, plan to ambush him upon return.

Hermes (called Mercury in Roman mythology) was considered the messenger of the Olympic gods. According to legend, he was the son of Zeus, king of Mount Olympus, and Maia, a nymph. As time went on, he was also associated with luck, shepherds, athletes, thieves, and merchants.

Circe, a powerful sorceress, shows her strength by being in control. Whenever Circe turns Odysseus’s men into pigs she shows her strength by overpowering them. Odysseus’s men underestimate Circe for the powerful sorceress she is because she is a woman. Because they do so, they are turned into pigs.