Nature in Iliad and Odyssey

Nature in Iliad and
Odyssey
Personification
• Gods, Fates, Destiny
• Winds, Storms, Earthquakes
• Zeus, Poseidon
• In Book V, Odysseus is released from Calypso's island by the intervention of
Zeus, who sends Hermes to persuade her. However, Poseidon, who is angry
with Odysseus for blinding his son Polyphemus, sends a storm that wrecks
his raft. Odysseus is saved by the sea goddess Ino, who gives him a magic
veil that protects him from drowning. He reaches the shore of Scheria after
swimming for two days and nights. This episode shows how nature is
influenced by the gods and how Odysseus has to endure natural hardships
and dangers
• In Book X, Odysseus visits the island of Aeolia, where Aeolus, the king
of the winds, gives him a bag containing all the winds except the west
wind, which will blow him home. However, when Odysseus is near
Ithaca, his curious men open the bag and release the winds, which
blow them back to Aeolia. Aeolus refuses to help them again, thinking
that they are cursed by the gods. This episode shows how nature can
be a source of help or harm, depending on human actions and divine
will.
• In Book VIII of Iliad, Zeus decides to intervene in the war
and help the Trojans. He sends thunderbolts and
lightning to terrify the Achaeans and scatter their
forces. Homer describes how Zeus’s storm covers the
sky with dark clouds and makes the earth tremble. He
also compares the storm to a fire that burns the forests
and fields. This episode shows how nature can reflect
the power and wrath of the gods, as well as a symbol of
destruction and chaos.
Reflecting the Emotions of
Characters
• Calm or turbulent sea
Nature vs. Culture and Civilization
• Encounters with people of different lands
• Cyclopes lawless
• Phaeacians – civilised
• - In Book IX, Odysseus recounts his encounter with the Cyclops
Polyphemus, who lives in a cave with his sheep and goats. Polyphemus
captures Odysseus and his men and eats some of them. Odysseus manages
to blind him by getting him drunk and stabbing his eye with a wooden
stake. He then escapes with his surviving men by hiding under the bellies of
Polyphemus's sheep. This episode shows how nature is contrasted with
culture and civilization, as Polyphemus represents a savage and lawless race
who have no respect for hospitality or justice.
Nature as Adversary – Test of
Strength
• In Book XII, Odysseus has to navigate between two deadly threats: Scylla, a six-headed
monster who devours sailors, and Charybdis, a whirlpool that swallows ships. He
follows Circe's advice and steers closer to Scylla, sacrificing six of his men rather than
risking losing his entire ship. However, he later returns to Charybdis to retrieve his
men's armor and almost loses his life. This episode shows how nature can be a test of
character and skill for the hero, who has to make difficult choices and face perilous
situations.
• In book 21 of Iliad, Achilles chases the Trojans to the river Xanthus,
where he kills many of them, including Lycaon, a son of Priam. The
river god, angry at Achilles for filling his waters with blood and
corpses, confronts him and tries to drown him. Achilles fights back,
but the river overwhelms him. The gods intervene and Hephaestus
sets the river on fire, forcing him to retreat. The gods then start to
quarrel among themselves over the fate of Troy.
The Beauty and Wonder of Nature
• the rosy-fingered dawn, the wine-dark sea, and the starry sky.
• In Book VI, Odysseus is awakened by the sound of young girls playing near a stream. He sees
Nausicaa, the daughter of King Alcinous, who is washing her clothes with her maids. He is struck
by her beauty and grace, and compares her to a goddess. He also admires the natural scenery
of the river, the meadow, and the olive trees. This episode shows how nature can be a source of
beauty and wonder, as well as a symbol of life and fertility.
• In Book VII, Odysseus is welcomed by King Alcinous and Queen Arete in their palace. He is
amazed by the splendor and richness of their home, which is adorned with gold, silver, bronze,
and ivory. He also sees their marvelous garden, which has fruit trees, vines, flowers, and
fountains. He praises the garden as a “wonder to behold” and a “glorious place”. This episode
shows how nature can be cultivated and enhanced by human art and skill, as well as a symbol
of prosperity and happiness.
• In Book X, Odysseus visits the island of Aeaea, where Circe, a sorceress, lives. He is enchanted
by her voice and her appearance, which are both sweet and seductive. He also sees her house,
which is surrounded by wolves and lions that are actually men transformed by her magic. He
also sees her garden, which has herbs and flowers of various colors and scents. He describes
the garden as a “lovely spot” and a “delight”. This episode shows how nature can be a source of
attraction and temptation, as well as a symbol of magic and mystery.
Nature as Source of Sustenance
• Circe’s island
• Hunting game in Calypso
• In Book XVIII of Iliad, Achilles learns of the death of his friend
Patroclus and vows to avenge him. His mother Thetis goes to
Hephaestus, the god of fire and metalwork, and asks him to make
new armor for Achilles. Hephaestus agrees and creates a marvelous
shield that depicts various scenes of nature and human life. Homer
describes how Hephaestus crafts the shield with skill and artistry,
using gold, silver, bronze, tin, and iron. He also describes how the
shield shows the sun, moon, stars, rivers, mountains, forests, fields,
animals, seasons, cities, wars, festivals, dances, and music. This
episode shows how nature can be a source of inspiration and
creativity, as well as a symbol of life and diversity.
Nature as Destructive
• Scylla – monster
• Charybdis - whirlpool

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