Gods

Athena

Athena likes Odysseus because he’s wise, she helps him several times…

• disguises him as a beggar when returning to Ithaca

• makes the suitors miss shooting their spears

• distracts Penelope from Eurycleia trying to expose Odysseus

Hermes

Hermes helps Odysseus in book 10 by giving him Moly and advice on how to defeat Circe

Poseidon (not mentioned in textbook)

As the dad of Polyphemus he answers Polyphemus’ curse which helps to stop Odysseus getting home

Zeus

Zeus is responsible for some problems on Odysseus’ journey home…

• storm after fighting the Cicones which drove them off course

• storm that killed the crew and the boat after they ate Helios’ cattle

• gives a thunderclap of approval when Odysseus strings to bow