Divine intervention in the Odyssey.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Divine intervention in the Odyssey

Divine intervention is when the gods interfere with the theme, plot or story line in some way.

Poseidon:

Poseidon intervenes after Odysseus and company visits the Cyclops, Polyphemus, Poseidon's son, and blinds him. At the end of this part in the story, Odysseus tells Polyphemus his name, and Polyphemus gets Poseidon to take revenge. Poseidon does this by creating a tremendous storm, when Odysseus leaves the island of Ogygia, being released from Calypso, almost killing him; Odysseus finally landing at Scherie, where the Phaeacians live.

Poseidon doing this intervenes with Odysseus' long journey home, prolonging it even more. It happens to Odysseus just after he has been held hostage by calypso for seven years. This is a good example of revenge and relationships of the time and the need to keep honor, and the importance of the family.

Hermes:

Hermes is only a messenger for the gods, but nevertheless, he still plays a very important role in the unfolding of the plot. He goes to Ogygia after Odysseus has been there for seven years, and persuades Calypso to let Odysseus go, as that is the wish of the Gods;