the importance/helpfulness of gods in "the odyssey"
... within him that the son / of crooked-minded Cronus had flung that omen down / ” (1220-1223). The suitors are in complete shock because of the thunder, because it must have been a sign from the gods. Another very important Olympian in the poem is Athena, the goddess of war. Athena and Odysseus form a very special, close relationship. She helps him at many different points in the story. Athena helps Odysseus choose men to poke Polyphemus’ eye out: And now I pondered how to hurt him worst, if but Athena granted what I prayed for ……..……. As luck would have it, the men I would have chosen won the toss – four strong men, and I made five as captain (246-247; 265-267). The men that win the toss turn out to be the same men Odysseus would have chosen, most likely because of their strength and bravery. Athena helps Odysseus in choosing them, which also tells him that he has good judgment. When Odysseus finally returns to Ithaca, Athena reveals him to Telemachus, “Athena disguises Odysseus as a ragged old beggar and sends him to the hut of Eumaeus, an old and loyal swineherd. She then directs Telemachus to return to Ithaca and tells Odysseus that it is time to reveal his identity to his son” (631). Later, he says: Saying no more, she tipped her golden wand upon the man, making his cloak pure white, and the knit tunic fresh around him. Lithe and young she made him, ruddy with sun, his jawline clean, the beard no longer gray upon his chin. And she withdrew when she had done (854-859). Athena helps make Odysseus more impressive for his son, by “cleaning him up” a bit. She made both of them more comfortable and lightened the mood of the whole situation. At another point in the story, after Odysseus kills the suitors, he and Telemachus go to see Laertes, Odysseus’ father. Athena helps make peace between Odysseus and the relatives of the slain suitors, “Their happy reunion is interrupted by the arrival of angry relatives of the slain suitors, armed for battle. Athena appears and commands them to make peace.” (653). Athena tells them to make peace, thus preventing any further conflict or deaths. Yet another important god in Odysseus’ journey is Circe, who, in addition to giving helpful hints, turns his men to swine and keeps him on her island for a year. Circe warns Odysseus of the dangers that are to come, “Before setting sail for Ithaca, Odysseus returns briefly to Circe’s island. She warns him of the dangers that lie ahead…”(617). Circe’s hints prove to be helpful throughout his entire journey. She also advises Odysseus to listen to the Sirens: Dear friends, more than one man, or two, should know these things Circe foresaw for us and shared with me, so let me tell her forecast: then we die with o...