Ancient Greeks believed in giving their gods human characteristics, creating a deeper connection with their gods. The gods were displayed acting out and feeling human emotion, often toward mortals. Going along with this custom, in both The Iliad and The Odyssey Homer creates images of the gods exhibiting emotions. Although the gods are depicted carrying out vengeful acts on their mortal subjects, many times they are shown in complete opposite, acting out on feelings of compassion to mortal man. Homer begins both epics with a mortal’s anguish invoking immortal compassion. The Odyssey begins with the gods in council. After witnessing Odysseus sobbing on Calypso’s island; Athena implores Zeus to end Odysseus’s s

and stirred in the other a passion of grieving

Achilleus has compassion for Priam. He shares in Priam’s grief over the loss of young noble lives like that of Hektor. Homer creates an atmosphere of respect by allowing Achilleus to grieve with an enemy. Both men have experienced their share of pain through warfare, and Homer uses this parallel as the base for Achilleus’ empathy. This scene marks the end of Achilleus’ rage, reinforcing the Ancient Greek idea of repressing one’s emotions. Had Achilleus not been so angered, Hektor would have already had a proper burial and his soul sent to Hades.

uffering and allow him to return home. She asks, “Olympian Zeus/ have you no care for him in you lofty heart?” (Book 1: Lines 72-73 Fagles 79). Homer portrays Athena as being moved by the pitiful image of the great warrior Odysseus, later fully described, as crying and longing for his wife and home. Her compassion toward Odysseus in the epic helps to show ancient Greek listeners that suffering does not go unnoticed by the gods. Homer teaches the audience that sympathy from the gods may alleviate distress.

Some topics in this essay:
Likewise Odyssey, Zeus Odysseus’s, Phoibos Apollo, Odyssey Homer, Iliad Odyssey, Iliad Achilleus, Hektor Homer, Ancient Greeks, Hektor Achilleus, Iliad Apollo, iliad odyssey, homer creates, ancient greeks, ancient greek, mortal homer, achilleus wept, own father,