Relationship Between Greek Gods And Mortals

Gods played a great role back in ancient civilizations and still do so to a certain extent, just not as intensely. Today, we have many different gods and religions, but for the most part, they are not nearly as serious as they were back in the days of Odysseus. Gods were believed by all to run the whole show and could end lives if they chose. Whatever humans did had to reflect on what the Gods would think of it since it was they who controlled the thin line between life and death of every living soul. The relationships between men and Gods are shown as a serious topic in the Odyssey for several reasons and are also shown through several examples. Athena is shown to be the most kind and helpful Goddess for Odysseus and this is shown by her doing all in her power to help him get back home to his family as

The relationship between gods and mortals in mythology has long been a complicated topic. The gods can be generous and supportive, and also devastating and destructive to any group of humans. Mortals must respect the powers above them that cannot be controlled. The gods rule over destiny, nature, and justice, and need to be recognized and worshipped for the powerful beings as they are. Regardless of one's actions, intentions, and thoughts, the gods in Greek myth have ultimate power and the final decision of justice over nature, mortals, and even each other.

The gods play an important part in Odysseus’ journey home, bringing him closer and farther from his homeland. They constantly intervene in the lives of the many characters in The Odyssey. Though Odysseus is a hero, the gods control his life. It is as if he were the main character in a video game and the gods are fighting over who controls his life. Personal responsibility is overshadowed by the gods’ eagerness to grab the controller.

Many authors have employed the religious beliefs of their cultures in literature. The deities contained in Homer’s Odyssey and in the Biblical book of Exodus reflect the nature of the gods in their respective societies. Upon examination of these two works, there are three major areas where the gods of the Greek epic seem to directly contrast the nature of the God of the Israelites: the way problems are solved, the prestige and status that separates the divine from the masses, and the extent of power among the immortal beings.

Odysseus in the epic poem, The Odyssey, written by Homer, is trying to make his way home after fighting in the long and treacherous Trojan War. Throughout the book he has gotten himself into many tricky situations, however Athena, the goddess of wisdom and military victory, has been aiding him through his journey home. Loyalty is an aspect of life, which Athena portrays throughout the entire epic poem. Athena in The Odyssey, has shown her loyalty to Odysseus and his family in his journey to return home.

When the epic starts, Athena is having a conversation with Zeus. While conversing with Zeus, Athena mentions Odysseus by saying “O Majesty, O Father of us all/ if it now please the blissful gods/ that wise Odysseus reach his home again” (Homer.4.106-108). Athena makes an attempt to initiate Odysseus’ journey by persuading Zeus to convince Calypso to set Odysseus free. Zeus ends up being

The attributes of Odysseus are admired by Athena, and she connects to him on the level of cleverness. Odysseus exploits qualities that Athena adores, which is why she takes a liking to his well being. In the beginning of “The Odyssey” Odysseus has been away from home for almost 10 years because he is taken captive on a nymphs island. Athena doesn’t think that Odysseus deserves the punishment given to him so she confronts Zeus about letting him go. “Olympian Zeus, have you no care for him in your lofty heart?” (1.223). Athena questions Zeus, why he is not won over by sacrifices from Odysseus. Athena shows her power in asking the ruler Zeus why there is nothing being done for Odysseus. Athena then rejoices and calls out to him, “If now it really pleases the blissful gods that wise Odysseus shall return home at last, let us...announce at once to the nymph with lovely braids our fixed decree: Odysseus journeys home- the exile must

In Greek Mythology, it can be easily argued if Greek gods were seen as benefactors or tormentors of mankind. Although there are many gods and goddesses who helped mankind, there are also many who destroyed them and their living conditions. In this type of argument, the decision would depend on the god or goddess and what they offered to society. It can be said that these gods were either one or the other, if they were not portrayed as benefactors then they were tormentors. Some Greek gods contributed good things such as light, sun, rain for crops to grow, fire to cook the food, knowledge and other things like medicine, art, music and poetry but, there are those that brought famine, plague, war and death to society.

Athena is the goddess of wisdom and battle, and she often shows her wisdom in Odysseus. She was Odysseus’ patron, so she helps Odysseus to go back to his palace. Also, she cares Telemachus in his

The Greek Gods and The Humans are no different from one another. The Greek Gods and The Humans have the same attitude and same ideas. Each one has the same idea and attitude towards love, but in different ways. Each God and each human love each other in different ways. For example, Greek God Zeus would go after a very beautiful female and just have sex with them and then would leave them alone, once he got what he wanted from them.

The Greek gods and goddess carry many attributes, most human. They are very much like humans in the way that they have weaknesses and strengths. Even though the gods display their characteristics much more drastically than humans do, the similarities are obvious. In Rosenberg and Baker’s book, the Greek gods have many human characteristics such as vengeance, jealously, and love.

The personalities of the gods are as broad as there are stars in the heavens, and as such the ways that these gods interact with mortals vary. The purpose of gods intervening with the days of man comes down to two things, good or bad; there are gods who are caring and loving towards mortals while others view man as pawns which they can use for their own personal agenda. A few gods that capture and exemplify the various personalities of the gods can be found in Ovid: The Metamorphoses of Ovid and Homer: The essential Homer: Selections from the Iliad and the Odyssey. Although the ways man and the gods communicate and get each other’s attention are different, there are reoccurring and overarching themes such as desire, and loyalty that make each intervention between gods and mortals similar.

One way that human and gods are connected in Greek and Roman myth is that human practice animal scarifies to worship the gods. During the scarifies ceremony, the bones and fat of the animal were laid out as the offering to the gods as to show honor and respect, and the meat was left to feasting for worshipers. As Hesiod described in the Theogony, Prometheus tricked Zeus (the god) to pick a pile of bone wrapped with shine fat during the animal scarifies ceremony, which anger Zeus.

Q1.Describe the relationships between the gods and mortals in The Iliad .What are the Greek gods like?

The Odyssey details Odysseus’ arduous return to his homeland. Ten years have passed since the end of the Trojan war and Odysseus, the “most cursed man alive”, has been missing and presumed dead by many. (10.79). Throughout the novel, gods play a significant role in the fate of Odysseus and other characters. The extent of the gods’ role though is not unqualified, contrary to Telemachus’ suggestion that, “Zeus is to blame./He deals to each and every/ laborer on this earth whatever doom he pleases” (1.401-403). While Zeus does have this power, his description of how humans meet their fate is more accurately depicted throughout the novel. As he aptly points out, “from us alone, the say, come all their miseries, yes,/ but they themselves, with their own reckless ways,/ compound their pain beyond their proper share” (1.38-52). While the gods do doom certain mortals, many of these mortals exacerbate their ill fate by making rash decisions and ignoring the gods’ warnings. The gods are also not always disrupting mortals lives; they often aid mortals in need. In fact, mortals who effectively court the favor of the gods often benefit greatly. While the gods’ powers are unquestionable, no one god’s power is insurmountable. Gods can be outsmarted and their wrath escaped. The Odyssey, in congruence with Zeus’ statement, ultimately, portrays human freedom as existent, but limited.