Mythical gods in Beowulf and the Odyssey

Ancient English literature frequently presents mythical deities from various angles

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The Odyssey and Beowulf: Distinguishable Differences in the Portrayal of Gods

Ancient English literature frequently presents mythical deities from various angles, giving the impression that individual writers decide what function the gods should serve. In an effort to actualize particular themes, it seems open to choose what function mythical creatures should serve. The Odyssey and the Beowulf are two examples where there is a clear distinction in how the gods are portrayed. It appears that the specific roles played by the gods in Odyssey and Beowulf differ when it comes to supporting the efforts to thwart or vanquish evil forces. This paper will discuss the distinguishable difference from varied perspectives as presented in both stories. The objective will be achieved by looking at how the gods award their people who serve them, how they intervene in the lives of the quests of the characters, and how they think about evil forces.

The Use of Myths in Ancient Cultures

The use of myths is widespread in many cultures and is accepted by that particular religion as being accurate and as shaping its conscience (Straus 434). In particular, both Odyssey and Beowulf poems engage the use of mythical creatures including mythical gods and evil beings. Most of Odyssey’s gods are Greek gods founded amongst the Greek culture. On the other hand, the only outstanding god that Beowulf address is the Biblical God. Nonetheless, the manner in which these creatures are presented is different, as it shall be discussed shortly.

Mythological Beings in Odyssey and Beowulf

Both Odyssey and Beowulf employ the use of mythological beings in the form of gods and evil parties. Odyssey is one of the most significant ancient Greek poems written by Homer. The story addresses the life of Odyssey on his way back home, in the Kingdom of Ithaca, having fought for ten years to bring down Troy. The story is filled with the adventures that the character encounters as he struggles to find his way back to his people and his wife. It is a mythical story filled with mythical creatures and Greek gods. Similarly, Beowulf is an old standing poem set in the Scandinavia. Beowulf, Geats’ hero, comes to offer support to the King of the Danes after Grendel, a monstrous creature, attacks the latter. Beowulf kills Grendel and his demon mother in the ensuing fight. Later on, Beowulf fights a dragon and kills it but not after receiving a mortal wound, which cost him his life.

Distinguishing the Roles of Gods in Odyssey and Beowulf

Apparently, the use of mythical beings in Odyssey and Beowulf takes a differing perspective, especially regarding the role of gods in fighting the evil. The authors in both instances sought to employ the fabled creatures that persisted in in the Western culture. In particular, in Odysseus, readers get to see a strong character coming face to face with inhuman, monstrous foes and defeat them. Nonetheless, the gods are not always supportive of Odysseus in his quest to defeat evil foes, as it would have been expected. On the other hand, in Beowulf, the gods play an integral role in containing evil. They work with Beowulf, although remotely, as part of a wider strategy against the evil forces where heroes are the last line of defense against undesirable outside forces. Moreover, these gods inspire courage.

The Gods’ Response to Wrongdoers

Firstly, the gods in Beowulf directly punish the wrongdoers and keep them away from the people who are free of blemishes (Heaney 45). Readers get to know that Grendel was a descendant of the cursed people that followed from Cain of the Bible. The author writes, “…murderous creatures banished by God, punished forever for the crime of Abel’s death” (Heaney 4 para. 120). The gods in Beowulf are pleased with the vibrant and joyful population under Herot’s Kingdom that sings in praises of their gods. This quality of the gods is absent in the case of Odysseus. Instead of Zeus, Odysseus father, protecting the section of his people on earth, he lets them go through unbearable challenges imposed by evil beings and forces. While speaking to Zeus on this matter, Athena questions the god: ”Why, Zeus, why so silent against Odysseus“ (Puchner 206). Zeus’ cold response was beside him confirming earlier that, indeed, great Odysseus excels amongst men in wisdom and in giving offerings. The conduct of Zeus is even more baffling as he does not wish the death of Odysseus but is quick to ensure that the people that the character loved die.

The Role of Gods in Human Affairs

Secondly, the gods in Beowulf give enough leeway for hero-warriors to handle the physical situation without making discretionary interferences. These gods serve as an inspiration to the locals as well as a source of emotional and spiritual support in the quest to live a clean life (Heaney 1 para. 20). There is no direct interference in man’s activities, and the gods remain mythical with little interaction seen between them and men. At no particular moment does Beowulf meet a god or interact with a god. Conversely, the gods in Odysseus interfere with Odysseus and his men’s plans both physically and through undue influence. They throw along Odysseus way all manner of obstacles and frustrations with some of them even trapping the character in the role of a husband (Schaefer 12). For instance, Calypso applies her charms to trap Odysseus at the island of Oygia for seven years (Puchner 315). According to Huler (92), this approach to handling worldly issues is unique when seen from the perspective of the world of Beowulf where the gods are less intrusive.

The Gods’ Perspective on Evil

Thirdly, there is clear distinction in the way the gods of Beowulf and those of Odysseus think regarding evil powers. In the Beowulf, the author categorically states that the gods hated evil. Similarly evil abhorred the gods. For instance, the gods hated both Grendel and his mother including the rest of the descendants that arose from the lineage of the disdainful Cain. In fact, it is reported that the brave child, Beowulf, was born into the society as a gift from the gods who were bent on destroying monstrous Grendel and his evil mother (Heaney 1 para. 20). In the chapter, ”Battle with Grendel,“ the author writes ”Out from the marsh, from the foot of the Hills and bogs, bearing God’s loathing, Grendel came, hoping to exterminate anyone he could trap on this expedition to high Herot.“ (Heaney 22 para. 710). This type of hatred helps in fueling uprisings amongst men and against dark forces. In contrast, the gods in Odysseus are portrayed as lacking this character. In fact, the opposite is true in most circumstances. For instance, the god of Circe bears evil motives against Odyssey and his men turning half of them into a flock of swine despite the fact that they had paid her a visit on good terms (Puchner 366). These actions are counterproductive in the course towards defeating evil.

Athena: The Exceptional God in Odysseus

Nonetheless, not all gods mentioned in Odysseus are against the character’s quest to fight off evil and arise victoriously. One such god who stands faithfully by Odysseus in his encounters is Athena, the protectionist goddess. On many occasions, the goddess intervenes on behalf Odysseus and his men as they fight or struggle to break away from evil bondage. For instance, when Odysseus is trapped at the Island with the witch, Calypso, for seven years, Athena intervenes by calling upon Zeus to demand Odysseus release (Puchner 315). This is one of the remote instances when the gods of Odysseus have shown concern for humanity against the evil supernatural in the story. In particular, this is what readers would expect of gods whom many people believe to be the ordained guardians of humanity (Howell 63).

Conclusion: Divergent Portrayals of Gods

Overall, the gods described in Odyssey are shown as disapproving of men’s fight against dark forces. Led by Zeus, the gods seek to hinder or frustrate quests of men trying to free themselves from the undue influence of evil powers. This conduct is unsettling amongst readers. On the other hand, the god presented in Beowulf appears to play a positive role man’s endeavors to free himself of the evil. They reward those who stick by their spiritual rules through emotional support and penalize those who stray away from the ”truth.“ The differences employed in both stories illustrate the freedom at the exposure of authors concerning the ability to manipulate mythical stories to suit a purpose or achieve an end.

Works Cited

Heaney, Seamus. Beowulf: A New Verse Translation. W.W. Norton Publishers & Company,

2014, https://mralbertsclass.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/beowulf-translation-by-seamus- heaney.pdf (Accessed 12/7/2017)

Howell, Emily, N. Odysseus Deconstructed: Crossing the Threshold into Critical Thinking.

English Journal, 2012, 66-72

Huler, Scott. No Man’s Lands: One Man’s Odyssey through The Odyssey. New York: Three

Rivers, 2008. PrintPuchner, Martin. The Norton Anthology of Western Literature, Vol. 1 (9th Ed.). W. W. Norton &

Company, 2014

Schaefer, Williams, C. The Character of Odysseus. Loyola University Chicago, 1956,

http://ecommons.luc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2269&context=luc_theses

Straus, Claude. The Structural Study of Myth. The Journal of American Folklore, vol. 68, no.

270 (2011): 428-444, https://people.ucsc.edu/~ktellez/levi-strauss.pdf. (Accessed 12/7/2017)