The Odyssey

in what ways does the role of the gods in part two reflect the characteristics of an epic

in what ways does the role of the gods in part two reflect the characteristics of an epic

Asked by
Last updated by Carlie
Answers 2
Add Yours

Since epics are, by definition, a long narrative tale about the adventures of a hero, we must consider that this story is the story of the hero Odysseus on his journey to get home from the Trojan War. He had been gone for ten years and took ten more years to get home. Without specific reference to which books are in "Part 2" in your text (The Odyssey is actually written in Books, not parts), it is difficult to say which gods you are referring to. However, we know that Poseidon is angry with Odysseus because he blinded the Cyclops, Polyphemus, who was Poseidon's son. We know that Odysseus stayed with the Calypso, a goddesslike being, for seven years. We know that ultimately the gods agree to let Odysseus go home and we know that Athena, who favors Odysseus, helps disguise him when he meets the suitors and has to kill them all for trying to steal his home and his wife. The gods, because they were so much a part of Greek life, have to be in every story (especially the primary epics such as The Odyssey) because they were a part of everyday Greek life.

When Odysseus returns home, he realizes that there is a archery contest to see who wins Penelope (his wife) over. As he is in disguises as a old beggar and awes all in the room of the archery contest. When he says that he is Odysseus all hell breaks loose. "There will be killing till the score is paid. You forced yourselves upon this house. Fight your way out, ir run for it, if you think you'll escape death. I doubt one man of you skins bu.(Homer, 409)". Once there is a battle to kill the enemies, The gods show leadership for getting armor and defending each other. The gods of the enemies (from Odysseus) shows that they don't back down at the once they go with something, Odysseus backs it up with how the town has been treated, while he has been going through a journey of the Trojan war to protect his team.

Read more on Brainly.com - https://brainly.com/question/14073600#readmore

Source(s)

Collections Textbook https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/odyssey/summary/