The Odyssey and Fate When we look at Greek Mythology we often run into the gods of that era. Sometimes they are merely backdrops to the human element of the story but in stories such as The Odyssey the gods play a prominent if not vital role to the central themes of the story. ... (Sparknotes) In The Odyssey the gods are responsible for controlling many aspects of where the story goes, but the people still have to choose to go. The gods in The Odyssey are who held Odysseus captive for over eight years. ... Here again is a prime example of the god's important role in the development of...

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The Odyssey vs. ... First off, women play major roles in both epics. ... This shows how the women play a major role in both epics. ... A difference in this theme though is, that in Beowulf they only have one God but in The Odyssey, there are many Gods. ... And sometimes they sacrificed to the old stone gods." ...

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Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, played a major role in the Greeks" lives. Teiresias, a blind prophet, also played a major role to fate. In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus's fate was largely controlled by Athena, Teiresias, Circe, Aeolus, Poseidon, and Zeus. ... Although the aforementioned gods were very influential, several other gods also dictated the course of Odysseus's struggle. ... In The Odyssey, Odysseus's fate was dictated by Athena, Teiresias, Circe, Poseidon, Zeus, and Aeolus. ...

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The Odyssey mentions many gods and goddesses, all of whom are involved with Odysseus" journey. The Odyssey begins with a meeting of the gods and goddesses who are trying to decide upon the fate of Odysseus. ... "Hard-hearted you are, you gods! ... She plays the mother role as well, but in this case she is doing it fairly selflessly. ... Without the goddesses in The Odyssey, there would be no odyssey. ...

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In reading Homer's Odyssey, it is interesting to compare the roles of women as opposed to men, and to discover the differences between the two. By drawing conclusions from the text about the views of women held by the author, a bigger picture of the role of women in ancient Greek culture can be drawn. ... Like Arete, who is said to look like a god, many other beautiful and high-born women are compared to the gods. ... This adds to the glorification of women in The Odyssey. ... In The Odyssey, women do not even have jurisdiction over their own lives. ...

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According to The Odyssey how significant is the role that the gods play in the fate of the mortals? How much of a role do we play? ... In the epic The Odyssey, they bend their lives to the rule of fate. ... I believe that through the epic story of the Odyssey, it is clear that men do have a significant role in their fate. ... The role the Gods play is simply to watch over these fates, and ensure they are reached. ...

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In Homer's epic story The Odyssey, there were many major themes. ... The editors of The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces states that "The Odyssey was not successful in resolving the problem of violence." ... All the violence and death that occurred in The Odyssey was under full control by the gods of Olympus. ... The gods will made the violence totally justified, and their could not be any alternatives to the violence, or else the people would have disobeyed the gods will. ... The gods in the story definitely play the biggest role in the resolution of all the violence, and ...

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These deities, portrayed in both Gilgamesh and The Odyssey, play an integral role in the journey of these heroes. ... As a blessing, the deities aide the heroes during their times of tribulation, such was the case with Athena in The Odyssey. ... Ironically, some of the same gods who seek to destroy the heroes ultimately ended up their best ally. ... Whatever their position, the deities in both Gilgamesh and The Odyssey play an important role in the narrative. ... Therefore, the deities in both Gilgamesh and The Odyssey are both a curse and a blessing to the heroes....

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The Odyssey and the Iliad are two of Homer's most famous works. ... The audience of the Odyssey would have known this context. They would also have known of Odysseus' great role in the war, especially his role in the creation and exploitation of the Trojan Horse. ... The Odyssey is one of the most beloved epics of all time. ... Battle monsters, witches, and gods. ...

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Far removed from today's individualistic society, is the ancient Greece portrayed in Homer's The Odyssey, where hospitality and good-will were customary. In the epic, Zeus decrees that those who seek clemency from the gods must welcome travelers with hospitality. ... To acknowledge the importance of a major principle in ancient Greek culture, the purpose of this essay is to examine the role that hospitality plays in The Odyssey. ... Giving good hospitality was the best thing ancient Greeks could do to please the gods, because they could never know when they were in the presence of th...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The ancient gods and goddesses played a key role in the lives of heroes and ensured justice; this confirmed through Athena's role in Odysseus' journey home in The Odyssey. Athena's fundamental role in The Odyssey was to assist and ensure the success of Odysseus' homecoming, and guarantee that Ithaca remained peaceful and stable (24.584-585). ... The Olympian gods were derived from Chaos. ... In conclusion, the role of the gods and goddesses greatly impacted the live of mortals, to the extent that the Ancient Greek religion was centered around the gods, paying refuge toward...

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In The Odyssey, Homer elucidates how abiding to the demands of Ancient Greek sacrificial rituals may grant approval by those gods, often engendering their assistance or support in life's excursions. ... Furthermore, gods make it evident of their consent, sometimes rewarding the donor in addition to providing safety for them. ... Moreover, participating in sacrificial rituals may save one's life, as the gods regularly determine the how long that person may survive. ... Accordingly, this is one reason why the Ancient Greeks find it essential to regularly practice these acts, as it co...

• Word Count: 792
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• Grade Level: Graduate

In, "The Odyssey," Homer includes many female characters, which orchestrate key roles in the epic poem. ... Female figures play an important role in The Odyssey and reflect a complex, broad view of womanhood on Homer's part. ... When the gods intervene and tell Calypso that Odysseus must leave, she attempts to lure and distract him by offering him marriage to her and immortality, "If you could see it all, before you go-all the adversity you face at sea-you would stay here, and guard this house, and be immortal-though you wanted her forever, that bride for whom you pine each day. ......

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Odysseus's adventure in Homer's epic, "The Odyssey," follows him on a journey where he meets an array of new people while traveling to new land. ... Homer uses Xenia, the Greek practice of hospitality to strangers, to characterize mortals, gods, and monsters as "good" or "bad" according to Greek values. ... Xenia, the practice of kindness to guests, which was expected of good Greeks, played an important role in "The Odyssey." This value was so important that it was actually a way of classifying mortals and even gods as good or bad; those who practice good Xenia be...

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In reading Homer's The Odyssey, in order to answer the question of how Homer portrays the women in this epic, we must first determine exactly what the roles of women were and discover Homer's portrayal of them. ... "Unlike men in the Homeric world, women have no public role or duty. ... In The Odyssey, women do not have jurisdiction over their own lives. ... It appears that women do not have much power in The Odyssey. ... Like men, the gods are at the top of the pyramid, the son of a god is in the middle, and a regular man is at the bottom. ...

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While there were numerous themes in the epic, the role of hospitality was one of the most prominent. Throughout the story, Homer depicts scenarios in which hospitality, both on the part of the guest and the host, plays a key role in the events that transpire. ... (Odyssey 54). ... (Odyssey 5). ... (Odyssey" . ...

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Odyssey Essay The Odyssey is an epic story that has been a significant piece of literature since it was first written and will remain so for ages to come. ... With the present role in the story of Odyssey, the gods can be seen as an important role in Odysseus life. ... In Odysseus's case, the gods played a vital role. ... These main Gods play an essential role in Odysseus's life. Also Zeus played a large role in the story by helping Odysseus and giving him help when needed. ...

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Hospitality plays a very big role in Greek life. ... Such paranoia and religious beliefs kept most characters in Homer's Odyssey on the straight and narrow, but others had no manners to begin with. ... Part of the motivation behind the supreme hospitality of the Greek culture had to do with the fear of the gods. ... From being too hospitable to being the worst guests on the earth the Odyssey has it all. ... The Odyssey gives the reader of today the feel of what it was like to be a way ward traveler in the time of Odysseus. ...

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THE ODYSSEY From the very start of this story you can begin to see how things in Ithaca are much different from things of other polis's. ... During this age it seems that the women's role in the community was not descion makers. ... Throughout this book you see the definite role that religion played during these times, and Athena was the goddess that was watching over the two men. ... And if you did not get the result you wanted from this prayer it must mean that the gods were displeased with you, or if you did receive what you prayed for then the gods were happy with you....

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Taking elements from The Odyssey and The Once and Future King, this pattern can be spotted. ... For him the mighty sire of gods assign'd " (Homer 279). ... With the presence of temptresses in literature, the reader understands the role of a villain or a distraction to a hero. ... During his journey, he does not acknowledge the gods even a single time because of his excess pride. Odysseus feels himself to be self-sufficient, self-willed, and one who does not need any help from the gods. ...

• Word Count: 1319
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Odysseus encompassed this quality and proved it throughout the story of The Odyssey. ... Another time when Odysseus pushes on in the face of hardship is when he is the only man left alive after angering the gods. ... But he never could have arrived in Ithaca without help from the gods. The gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus always play an important role in the Greek epics. ... Although most of the gods were on Odysseus's side, his adventure at times seemed nearly unachievable. ...

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The following paper draws parallels between Homer's "Odyssey" and the Coen Brother's "O Brother Where Art Thou?". ... , George Clooney plays the role of fast talking, quick thinking, escaped convict Ulysses Everett McGill who is accompanied on his journey home by two companions, Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) and Pete (John Turturro). The name, Ulysses, is the Roman rendering of Homer's Greek hero in The Odyssey, Odysseus. ... In the Odyssey, Odysseus's wife, Penelope has many suitors trying to court her. ... The Greek gods replace the Southern Baptist conception of God and Sa...

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One relationship in the Odyssey that is unique to the Greek literature of the time is the bond between Penelope and Odysseus. ... As this relationship is observed through the eyes of Penelope while she awaits the return of her beloved, one can also observe the values conveyed in the noble household and the role women play in ancient Greek society. ... It is plausible that Penelope takes these odd occurrences as signs from the Gods, leading her to start considering the actual possibility of Odysseus coming home. ... Does the bed, my lady, still stand planted firm (Odyssey xxiii.326-327)?" ...

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Throughout the first five books of the Odyssey we hear little of Odysseus the hero of the poem, instead we focus of his son Telemachus and his journey to seek information of his father. ... Telemachus at this stage of his life spent most of his time inside the house fulfilling more of a feminine role. ... Telemachus learns about speaking and doing, talking and keeping silent and he also learns about the Gods from Menelaus. ... The wanderings of Telemachus, often called the Telemachy for obvious reasons, enhance the Odyssey using a technique, which is also used in the Iliad. ... It also serves...

• Word Count: 1835
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• Has Bibliography
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In his epic, The Odyssey, he presents an epic hero that displays the qualities that are valued by the society from which he comes. ... By studying Odysseus's reactions in the various adventures of The Odyssey, the modern reader can hypothesize that the Greek society of 900 B.C. valued the following characteristics; emotion, beauty, and loyalty in their heroes. ... This also shows that the Greeks envisioned the gods as beautiful people as well, not one god even Hades is ugly. ... It is clear that the Greek community needed beauty, because they couldn't stand for their role model a...

• Word Count: 1140
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• Grade Level: High School