The Interaction Between Gods and Ulysses in The Odyssey
The Odyssey is about Ulysses and his crew trying to make it home to Ithaca. Ulysses has plenty of misfortunes on his way home and a little bit of good luck. "Yet all gods had pitied Lord Odysseus, all but Poseidon, raging cold and rough against the brave king till he came ashore at last on his own land." (line 10) This line shows that The Odyssey has gods and humans interacting. Gods and goddesses interfere and influence actions often.
One of the gods who does not like Ulysses and does not want Ulysses to make it home to Ithaca is Poseidon, god of the sea and earthquakes. One reason why Poseidon does not like Ulysses is because he fought with the Greeks in the Trojan War. Poseidon favored the Trojans and wanted them to win the war. After Troy was taken by the Greeks, Poseidon became furious. As Homer states, "But victory never comes cheap. Poseidon's anger had indeed been kindled. He roused the winds and tides against Ulysses and sent word to island ogres and monsters of the deep." (pg. xii) Homer even shows Poseidon's hate for Ulysses in his Invocation to the Muse it says, "Yet all the gods had pitied Lord Odysseus, all but Poseidon, raging cold and rough against the brave kind till he came ashore at last on his own land." (line 10) Poseidon doesn't like Ulysses in the beginning, but when Ulysses blinds Polyphemus, son of Poseidon, it angers Poseidon even more. Polyphemus prays to Poseidon that Ulysses will never see his home again. But if he does, then he shall lose all of his shipmates and have a long struggle on his way.
On the other hand, Athena, goddess of wisdom, skill and warfare, helps Ulysses. When Ulysses is trapped on Calypso's island, he prays to Zeus, Athena, Poseidon and Apollo. He asks them to either allow him to go home or strike him dead on the spot. Homer says, "His prayer was carried to Olympus. Athena heard it. She went to Zeus and asked him to call the gods into council. They met in the huge throne room"(pg120.) Homer also says, "Athena said, "O father Zeus, O brother gods, I wish to speak on behalf of Ulysses, who of allthe...