In Greek Mythology, the gods have a central role in the stories but can also serve as a background to the human element. However, in tales such as The Odyssey, the gods hold significance and possibly even play a crucial part in the main themes. Fate has a special position in the Greek world when compared to other scenarios or worlds. Hence, it is essential to comprehend this term before delving into its discussion. In Greek mythology, fate encompasses more than its literal meaning; it incorporates broader dimensions.
By most standards, fate represents events that occur without any apparent reason or control. However, in Greek Mythology, fate is not a mere coincidence. The gods manipulate and intervene to ensure that certain events take place, even if they would not naturally occur. Sometimes, the involvement of the gods remains unknown to the characters involved, creating the illusion of fate when it is actually engineered by divine intervention. On the contrary, free will does not undergo any manipulation. It refers to the idea of having complete control over one’s desires and ultimate destination. The crucial aspect here is the word “ultimate.”
The gods can create the plan and decide the path, but it is the people who must follow it. As a result, fate and free will are not contradictory and they coexist in The Odyssey. In this epic, individuals are accountable for their own lives; rather than relying solely on fate, the characters have a substantial impact on their own existence.
Although the gods play a significant role in guiding the events of The Odyssey, it is ultimately the individuals who hold the power to make decisions. Odysseus was under divine captivity for over eight years, as it was initially orchestrated by the gods and they continued to deny his release for almost ten years. Eventually, they granted him permission to return to his captor Kalypso. However, it remained Odysseus’ own choice whether he would leave or not. In an attempt to persuade him to stay, Kalypso offered him eternal life, saying “You would stay here, and guard this house, and be immortal” (Homer 267).
Odysseus had the option to stay or depart, but he opted for departure. Some argue that the gods knew about Odysseus’ decision and allowed him to go. However, being aware of an action does not negate the fact that Odysseus made the choice himself. The gods took many things from his life, giving him more justification than anyone else to give up and accept his fate. As Ann, a critic of The Odyssey, argues, it is not always effective to blame the gods for one’s mistakes. There is a difference between having a predestined destiny and embracing it. True heroes never surrender.” (Ann par. 26)
The distinction between having fate and embracing it represents free will. After the gods manipulate the destinies of specific individuals, they allow events to unfold naturally. Although the gods do meddle in the lives of people, this intervention does not remove their ability to make choices. Zeus himself acknowledges this at the start of The Odyssey while conversing with other gods on Mount Olympus: “It’s remarkable how humans blame the gods for all their misfortunes, yet fail to acknowledge their own shortcomings” (Homer 210).
This statement by Zeus illustrates the accountability of individuals and their capacity to exercise free will. In relation to the aforementioned verse, Torrey suggests that the gods emphasize the need for men to take responsibility in the Odyssey (Philemon, par. 1). Zeus further provides an additional example in his speech, where he questions Aigsthos’ refusal to heed his advice. He notes, “We gods had warned him, send down Hermes, our most observant courier, to say: … Friendly advice—but would Aigsthos take it?” (Homer 210).
The messenger sent by Zeus questioned Aigsthos, implying that Aigsthos had the freedom to decide whether to take the advice or not. This suggests that Zeus gave Aigsthos options instead of dictating his actions. In certain situations, it is important for the gods to intervene. For instance, Athena visited Ithaka and advised Odysseus’s son to convene an assembly.
The assembly aimed to gather community support against Penelope’s suitors, who she started entertaining after waiting for her husband, Odysseus, for a long time. Just as Odysseus was returning home, Penelope began seeing other men. Athena believed that the community needed to join forces to keep the suitors away, highlighting the gods’ influential role in shaping the story’s progression. Without Athena’s intervention, the suitors might have made faster progress.
The gods made efforts to assist Odysseus in reaching home swiftly, displaying their interference in pursuit of a desired outcome. While their intervention increases the likelihood of the desired result, it does not guarantee it. The gods’ desires differ from the concept of free will and it is crucial to differentiate between the two in The Odyssey. Both free will and fate are present in the epic, and by investigating the genuine meaning of free will, we can better comprehend its portrayal in The Odyssey.
Throughout the story, there were numerous instances where choices had a significant impact on the outcome. One such example can be seen with the suitors on Ithaka. These individuals consistently made impulsive decisions and showed a lack of wisdom throughout the narrative. The gods, who had the ability to intervene and manipulate the suitors’ choices, possessed foreknowledge of where these choices would lead them. However, rather than interfering, the gods opted to observe and allow the individuals to make their own choices. Consequently, these choices resulted in inevitable consequences and reactions that the suitors were unable to evade. Athena conveyed to Odysseus, “Yes, try the suitors. You may collect a few more loaves, and learn who are the decent lads, and who are vicious- although not one can be excused from death!” (Homer 423).
The gods punished the suitors for their choices, which demonstrates the concept of free will in The Odyssey. This epic represents free will by allowing both the gods and the people to make choices. For example, Odysseus chose to disguise himself instead of immediately returning home to his wife. Similarly, his wife decided to wait for eight years and then remarry. All of these choices made by the characters in the myth highlight the existence of free will.
The Odyssey and other Greek Mythology provide guidance for modern life, offering morals and values that we strive to embody while avoiding others.
The Odyssey introduces us to the enchanting realm of magic and gods. Simultaneously, it portrays a clear depiction of fate and guidance by demonstrating that although gods can intervene to some extent, they often take a step back and allow choices to unfold naturally. Throughout the story, characters exercise free will, which adds the anticipated twists and turns that are characteristic of all Greek Mythological classics.
Works Cited
- Ann. Rev. of The Odyssey, by Homer. The Constant Reader (1998) : par 26. 10 Aug 1998.
- Homer. “The Odyssey.” Trans. Robert Fiztgerald. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces: the Western tradition-7th ed. Ed. Sarah Lawall. New York: W.W. Norton ; Co. 1999. 209-514
- Philemon, Torrey. Rev. of The Odyssey, by Homer. “Odyssey Journal.” 1998.
