In Homers Odyssey, there is a very clear causal relationship between an individuals actions and the outcome of their endeavors. Through interactions, the gods often influence the actions of mortals. If one resists the guidance of the gods, there are almost always ramifications. In this way, the Odyssey suggests that human beings should be reverent and obedient to the gods. At times, it proves to be hard for mortals to remain in the favor of the gods, even if they may be in good favor with one or more gods, there may be another god that is not so favorable. Hence, the gods do not always agree with one another and there may be conflicting priorities present. When a mortal has angered the gods, the outcome is often disastrous. As much as humans are in charge of their own destinies, so too important are the preordained prophecies of the gods.
The gods often intervene in the affairs of mortals. A good example of this is when Athena presents herself in disguise at the home of Telemachus to inspire his heart with courage (Book I 105). Goddess Athena urges young Telemachus to summon the Achaeans to full assembly and speak his mind to the suitors who plague his household day in and day out. Telemachus orders the suitors to leave his palace and return home to devour their own possessions. To the suitors who choose otherwise, Telemachus declares, Ill cry out to the everlasting gods in hopes that Zeus will pay you back with a vengeance (Book I 35-36). It is clear that there is a certain level of fear associated with disobeying the gods will. Telemachus uses this innate fear of Zeuss wrath in hopes that it will compel the suitors to do as he asks. In addressing the suitors, Telemachus states, Fear the gods wrathbefore they wheel in outrage and make these crimes recoil on your heads (Book II 71-72). This encompasses a great deal of foreshadowing as to the fate of the selfish suitors. Inevitably, the gods are successful in punishing the suitors, as we shall see later. In addition to encouraging Telemachus to stand up to the suitors, Athena tells the young prince to set sail for Pylos and Sparta in search of news of his long lost father. Telemachus obeys and rounds up a crew of twenty men for the voyage. As the ship sets sail, the crew set up bowls and brimmed them high with wine and poured libations out to the everlasting gods who never dieto Athena first of all (Book II 73-75). This is an example of mortals paying homage to the gods. Making sacrifices such as this to the gods would theoretically keep one in good favor with the gods. Throughout Book II, we see how Athena directly shapes the actions of Telemachus, which is a clear example of gods meddling in the lives of mortals.
Just as it is sometimes necessary to intervene with mortals, it may also be necessary for gods to intervene with each other. The gods assemble and discuss the fate of Odysseus. Goddess Athena feels greatly for Odysseus who is trapped on an island far from home with nymph Calypso who is holding him there by force. After hearing Athenas plea, Zeus summons his son, Hermes, the messenger of the gods. Hermes is sent at once to announce to the nymph with lovely braids our fixed decree: Odysseus journeys home (Book V 34-35). Calypso welcomes her fellow immortal, offering him food and drink before they attend to the business at hand. Hermes relays the message of the gods to Calypso, Zeus commands you to send him off with all good speed: it is not his fate to die here, far from his own people/Destiny still ordains that he shall see his loved ones (Book V 25-27). Calypso responds with much indignation, but knows there is not much she can do to change the will of Zeus. She says with acceptance, since there is no way for another god to thwart the will of storming Zeus and make it come to nothing, let the man go (Book V 152-154). Here we see the gods divine plan at work. It is not the will of the gods that Odysseus be stranded forever on Calypsos island, and there is clear involvement of the gods to ensure that this not be his fate. Unfortunately, all of the gods do not agree on what Odysseuss fate should hold.
Although it is Zeuss will that Odysseus return safely home to Ithica, Poseidon, god of the earthquake, has another thing in mind. Unleashing his wrath on Odysseus, Poseidon churned the waves into chaos, whipping all the gales from every quarter, shrouding over in thunderheads the earth and sea at once in an attempt to prevent Odysseuss homecoming (Book V 322-324). Odysseus, near death due to the thrashing of waves and destruction of his raft, is now confronted by the goddess Ino. She tells Odysseus to abandon ship and swim for Phaeacian land. Ino gives Odysseus an immortal scarf to tie around his waist, proclaiming that he has nothing to fear now, neither pain nor death (Book V 383). Odysseus was very skeptical, stating, I fear another immortal weaves a snare to trap me (Book V 393). It is hard for Odysseus to trust the gods since he has seen such bad fortune at the hands of some gods. It is unclear to Odysseus which gods are trustworthy and which may be out to get him. Goddess Ino did indeed give Odysseus sound advice and he reached the shore of the Phaeacians island safely. The gods play a prominent role in shaping Odysseuss actions throughout The Odyssey.
Upon Odysseuss arrival in Ithica, goddess Athena directs Odysseus to go directly to the swineherd Eumaeus hut. Met later there by his son Telemachus, the two rejoice in a long overdue reunion. Odysseus credits the gods with his presence in Ithica asserting, thanks to the gods help, and Athenas inspiration spurred me here, now, so we could plan the slaughter of our foes (Book XVI 262-264). Athena also inspired Penelope to set out Odysseuss bow and twelve axes to see which suitor could string the bow and shoot an arrow through all twelve axes, this was the man she would marry (Book XXI 2). This created the onset for the slaughter of the suitors. After a few failed attempts by the suitors to string the bow, Odysseus, who is disguised as a beggar, wants to try his hand at the endeavor. The suitors resist and even mock the guest but Telemachus proclaims his authority and sends the women upstairs before letting Odysseus try his hand at the bow. After successfully stringing the bow and shooting an arrow straight through all twelve axes, Odysseus takes aim and shoots Antinous right in the throat. At first the suitors believe it to be an accident until Odysseus begins ranting. Poor fools, he says, No fear of the gods who rule the skies up there, no fear that mens revenge might arrive somedaynow all your necks are in the nooseyour doom is sealed (Book XXII 34, 40-42). Odysseus and his men proceed to kill off all of the suitors one by one, thanks to their reckless work, they met this shameful fate (Book XXII 441-442). The will of the gods had been accomplished; the suitors had finally paid for their immoral actions and were once and for all taken care of. A great feat indeed, but not without the hand of the deathless gods did Odysseus do these things (Book XXIV 490-491). It is the gods that willed such a slaughter to occur. The reckless acts of the suitors condemned them to death in the very first book of The Odyssey. It is with great indignation that Odysseus slaughtered the suitors. Without the gods on his side, Odysseus would not have been able to accomplish such a feat.
The Odyssey focuses on several ways in which the gods intervene in the lives of mortals. The gods may guide mortals through trials and tribulations but it is the mortals themselves who are inevitably responsible for the outcomes. Being in good favor with the gods proves to be very advantageous. Likewise, if one is in bad favor with the gods, the ramifications could be life threatening. But, not all bad things that happen are a direct result of the gods will. As Zeus simply puts it:
Ah how shamelessthe way these mortals blame the gods. From us alone, they say, come all their miseries, yes, but they themselves, with their own reckless ways, compound their pains beyond their proper share. (Book I 37-40)
Essentially, everyone is responsible for his or her own destiny. Whether or not the gods are on your side can be influential, but is not necessarily responsible for the outcome. So, it cannot be said that the gods are entirely responsible for a mortals fate, it can, however, be said that the gods are able to shape ones fate through suggestion or perhaps divine intervention.
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