In his epic, The Odyssey, Homer uses the trip of the Greek messenger god Hermes to reflect the arduous journey of the protagonist Odysseus back to his homeland, Ithaka. Despite the many parallels that can be drawn in the short encounter of Hermes, there are subtle differences that make their journeys different. .
Odysseus, after fighting in the Trojan War, wishes to return home to his family. However, while going back, he aggravates the god of seas, Poseidon, who punishes Odysseus by delaying his return to Ithaca for ten years. During these ten years, he faces many dilemmas, one of which was that he was held captive for seven years on the island of Kalypso. .
In Book V, Hermes is ordered by Zeus to send a message to Kalypso regarding Odysseus" freedom. He goes and delivers his message to Kalypso and leaves. Through his conversation with Kalypso, Homer shows a similarity in Hermes's feelings with the fate of Odysseus. Hermes says, "Zeus made me come, and not my inclinations". He directly states that he does not wish to stay but is obliged to do so because of the authority of Zeus. This statement suggests that Hermes wishes to return to Mt. Olympus as soon as possible. Likewise, Odysseus is forced by the god, Poseidon who he cannot question, to wander ten years on the sea reluctantly. However, at the end, like Hermes, he shall return home too. .
Other than his reluctance, Hermes describes his crossing to Ithaca, "to cross that tract of desolation, the bitter sea, all mortal towns behind where gods have beef and honors from mankind." When arriving to the island, "[Hermes"] heart beat with delight." He painfully crosses the sea leaving towns where he may collect his offering because of an order of Zeus. Odysseus is forced by Posiedon to suffer the harsh seas while passing by islands where he could find help to return home. However, he lands on paradises that attempt to stray him from his course back home.
Then there was Hermes; the messenger of the gods. ... Hermes was born in Arcadia. ... He also helped Odysseus on his long journey in the Trojan War. When Hermes met the Greek god Aphrodite; it was love at first sight. ... Pan was a great musician just like Hermes. ...
On his way to see Kirke, Odysseus is stopped by Hermes. Hermes tells Odysseus how to deal with Kirke and warns that if Odysseus does not follow his advice, Odysseus will be, "unmanned by her as well" (174). ... Instead of letting his arrogance press through, he listens to Hermes advice and follows his directions completely without injecting any of his own decisions. The fact that Odysseus has considered what Hermes advised already shows an improvement in his attitude. ... As Odysseus is leaving, Antinoos launches a stool at Odysseus, which hits him in his shoulder. ...
Hermes is a messenger to all the other gods. ... Later on in the saga, Hermes gives Odysseus moly, a plant to eat. ... The only way that Odysseus is able to leave the island is because Zeus sends Hermes to talk to Calypso. Hermes convinces her to allow him to leave the island, per Zeus's request. ... However, once again Hermes comes to the rescue. ...
Afterwards, Odysseus and his crew land on the island of the Cyclops. ... Odysseus learns that the gods must be respected in order for any man to succeed. ... Odysseus also learns to respect the gods. When he lands on Aesea, the island of Circe, he follows the advice given to him by Hermes so that he can overcome Circe and free his men. ... His son takes on a parallel journey as Odysseus ventures around the Mediterranean and in the same way, becomes a more complete person. ...
Never at ease, Odysseus is always ready to spin a tale to save his skin. ... Odysseus is famous everywhere for his cleverness and resourcefulness. ... Hermes helps Odysseus and his men on Aiaia, Circe's island. Circe turns the men into swine; to save them Hermes gives Odysseus a magic drug so that he is immune to her powers. ... For the majority of the poem Odysseus is a stranger. ...
For example, Odysseus and his men get trapped in a cave with a Cyclops. Odysseus tells the Cyclops that his name is "Noman." ... Odysseus also thought ahead and did not kill the Cyclops when he was asleep. ... Another instance of Odysseus" cleverness is when Odysseus and his men arrive at the island of Aiolia. ... Hermes appears as a mole and gives Odysseus a pendent. ...
She lived on the island of Ogygia and there entertained Odysseus for seven years. ... Zeus sent Hermes to Ogygia to have Calyspo send Odysseus on his way to Ithaca or suffer the consequences. ... Finally Athena complained of Odysseus' plight to Zeus, and Zeus sent Hermes to Ogygia to order Calypso to set Odysseus free. ... When Odysseus enemy Poseidon was away, Athena persuaded Zeus to help, and thus the god sent Hermes to Calypso with a message to let the hero go. ... After Odysseus left she died of a broken heart. ...
Hermes the god's messenger is sent to warn Odysseus of Sirens. ... Calypso tries to keep Odysseus on her island but Hermes brings her a warning from Zeus that convinces Calypso to offer Odysseus his freedom. ... The king of Phoenicia upon the discovery of the presence of the great Odysseus has Odysseus immediately taken home. Telemachus is the first which Odysseus must prove himself to. The remainders of Odysseus" adventures are at home in Ithaca. ...
In The Odyssey, Odysseus and Telemachus embark on parallel heroic journeys to unite their family. ... Despite their moments of weakness, Odysseus and Telemachus both demonstrate parallel heroism through their acts of courage, noble characteristics and outstanding achievements during their respective journeys. ... In a parallel moment of weakness, Telemachus "burst[s] out crying" because he fears the suitors will separate his family (Homer 16). ... Paralleling Odysseus, Montressor tricks Fortunado through intoxicating wine. ... Odysseus' courage here parallels that of Telemachu...
