E n g l i s h 9 W r i t i n g s
12/19/2017 0 Comments intriguing Interventions of Ithaca “Keep Ithaka always in your mind. Arriving there is what you’re destined for” (Constantine P Cavafy). We are all bound to our own Ithaca, whether it is a goal, and endgame, or just life. For Odysseus, it was literally getting to his homeland Ithaca. This was his goal, his fate, and the gods interrupted his path. In Homer's The Odyssey, the Greek gods are shown intervening too frequently in Odysseus’ journey home to Ithaca. One of the first instances where gods come in, is when Poseidon sends Odysseus off course on his way home. Odysseus insults Poseidon when he takes all the credit for the plan to defeat Troy, even though he had help. The god of the sea cast his ship off course leaving Odysseus a man “who has been wandering for ten years on the seas” (371). Poseidon could have merely let this go. Considering he is an all powerful god, he should’ve risen above Odysseus. Some may argue Poseidon has a rational reason to punish Odysseus. Although this may be true, one single mortal who will eventually die, isn’t worth the time of a god. The matter was quite small to send Odysseus 20 years away from his home. Therefore, this is an example of an god-related incident that was uncalled for.
Another goddess that intervened on Odysseus journey was Calypso. His trek home was already extended by Poseidon, and then Calypso prolonged it even further. Odysseus “drifts to Ogiya, the home of Calypso, who keeps him on her island for seven years” (398). She was lonely on her remote island, and relished in company of a man. She wasn’t supposed to have any visitors in her isolation, let alone one for 7 years. In the movie The Odyssey, Calypso and her inviting handmaidens lured him to stay on the island. It depicts her treating him to fruit and saunas. The goddess shouldn’t have held him there as long, despite the nurture she gave him. This is yet another unwarranted interference into a mortal's life. Lastly, the goddess Athena interrupts in Odysseus life as well. Athena intervenes more often than any other god when it comes to Odysseus. Odysseus finally reaches Ithaca, but it is overcome by many men trying to court his wife since they all think he is dead. When he triumphs over the suitors, he is now safe at home. Athena “made him taller, and massive, too, with crisping hair in curls like petals of wild hyacinth all but red-golden” (5-8). There was absolutely no reason for her to change his appearance. Penelope loved him so deeply, his physique would not affect her at all. Although This is only one of the various times Athena burst into his journey unreasonably. Poseidon, Calypso, and Athena are only 3 of the many gods included in the epic poem, The Odyssey. The whole journey Odysseus takes from place to place, obstacle to obstacle, the gods are overall responsible. Poseidon began by shifting the boat off course, then Calypso held him in her control for 7 years, then finally, Athena frivolously used her godly powers to make Odysseus young again. These interventions were unnecessary and furthermore, induced 20 years of suffering and longing for home could have been avoided if the gods had not changed the course of events. In life, many people will obstruct one’s path to their goal and dreams. Though it may seem they can stop the progression towards the end, everyone will get to their Ithaca. So, next time an obstacle comes across, remember it will not stop the growth. It will only strengthen a person.
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