The Odyssey.

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The Odyssey

Entry #11

11/24/03

The Odyssey, by Homer, describes the journey of Odysseus returning to his home after serving in the Trojan War. While attempting to sail to Ithaca, Odysseus is greatly influenced by several gods and goddesses. Three such influential gods are Calypso, Athena, and Poseidon. This intervention of the gods is a recurring pattern and stylistic technique that Homer utilizes in his Greek epic, The Odyssey.

Whereas Athena and Calypso aid Odysseus with his homecoming, Poseidon creates trouble and disaster for Odysseus at every opportunity. The main source of Poseidon's discontent with Odysseus is a result of Odysseus blinding a Cyclops by the name of Polyphemos, a son of Poseidon. Polyphemos then prays to his father, asking for Odysseus to return home late, in misery, with the loss of all companions, and with tribulations at home. As the god of the sea, Poseidon grants his son's requests and creates large waves and winds during Odysseus' voyage to the land of the Phaeacians. He causes another storm that sinks Odysseus' ship and drowns all of Odysseus' remaining crew; only Odysseus survives and is cared for by Calypso.

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