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 ...

• Word Count: 1363
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

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....

• Word Count: 675
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

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...

• Word Count: 609
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

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. ...

• Word Count: 1393
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

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. ...

• Word Count: 2103
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

The Journey of Odysseus and Telemachos In The Odyssey written by Homer and translated by Richard Lattimore, several themes are made evident, conceived by the nature of the time period, and customs of the Greek people. ... Beliefs of this characteristic were represented by the sheer reverence towards the gods and the humanities the Greek society exhibited, and are both deeply rooted within the story. In the intricate and well-developed plot of The Odyssey, Homer harmonized several subjects. ... Helios was the sun-god, and nurturer of the cattle of the gods. ... This was much considered a...

• Word Count: 2524
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

It is true that many ancient cultures were largely polytheistic and believed in many gods and goddesses. ... The most important one of all was Zeus, the king of the gods and the god of the heavens. ... This is most evident in Homer's The Odyssey. ... " Look how the gods have changed their minds about- while I was off with my Ethiopians. ... In book ten of The Odyssey, while traveling the vast Mediterranean Sea, Odysseus and his men stumble upon another remote island. ...

• Word Count: 2649
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School