Gods In The Odyssey

The difference in “The odyssey” and “Iliad” is the level of interference of the gods. In the novel “Iliad”, the gods were more actively involved in the affairs of mortals than they were in the Odyssey. There were numerous occasions where they actually took human form so they could go out onto the battlefield to support the humans. For example: in the third book of the novel “Iliad”, a truce is made so that Menelaus and Paris can meet in single combat, and the winner will take Helen and all her treasures home with him. Solemn oaths are sworn by both sides to abide by the outcome of the duel. However, Paris suddenly loses his nerve and turns back to the troops. His brother Hector who is the leader of the Trojan army is mortified by this. Hector
This scenario within the novel, showcases how the gods physically intervened within the battle. The gods, used their power to protect who they were more connected to. In the Odyssey, there was little intervention, and usually only when it was asked for. Within “The Odyssey”, the gods intervened but to a certain extent. The gods would appear in human forms to give directions but did not physically fight, attack, or push them in the direction they wanted the humans to follow. The gods within “The Odyssey were about principle and morals rather than “Iliad”. In “The Odyssey” humans are responsible for their own suffering, whereas in “Iliad” the gods were the reason to the humans suffering. For example: in “The Odyssey” the battle between the suitors, Telemachus and Odysseus. In book twenty-two, Eumaeus guards the side door to the palace so that no suitors can escape; while Melanthius climbs through a secret passageway into Odysseus's storeroom and brings weapons to some of the suitors. Eumaeus and Philoetius catch Melanthius when he returns for more weapons and leave him strung up in the storeroom in great