Direct Actions in the Odyssey (chronological)

 

Magical force involves changes of appearance, small-scale physical manipulations, and minor distractions.

Natural force involves large-scale manipulation of massive natural objects, like the sea or the sun.

Inspirational force involves manipulating the mental state of a character by giving them ideas, sending dreams to speak to them, or changing their reactions to certain things.  

Overt actions require that the mortal(s) in question be fully aware they are interacting with a god.  Lastly, when Athena is fully incognito, the mortal in question is briefly named or described.

 

Action/Event

Form /Method

Location (Home)

Book (Fagles)

 

 

 

 

Events of Troy

(N/A)

Troy

Previous

TIME GAP:  Odysseus’ journeys

(Absent)

?

“

Advocates for Odysseus in Olympian council

(Self)

“

Book One

Appears to Telemachus, suggests an island council

Mentes

Ithaca (Odysseus)

“

Puts glamour on Telemachus for council meeting

Magical

“

Book Two

Encourages Telemachus again

Mentor

“ (“)

“

Goes into town disguised, arranges journey

Telemachus

“

“

Sedates suitors

Magical

“

“

Summons a sailing wind

Natural

“

“

Departs with Telemachus for Nestor’s house

Mentor

“

“

Inspires Telemachus’ speech to Nestor

Magical

Pylos (Nestor)

Book Three

Departs Nestor’s house with commands of charity

(Overt)  Eagle

“

“

Attends her own sacrifice

Mentor

“

“

Comforts Penelope when suitors discover absence

Inspirational (Dream)

Ithaca (Odysseus)

Book Four

Advocates in council again;  Hermes sent to Calypso

(Self)

Olympus

Book Five

Counters Poseidon’s storm /guides Odysseus to shore

Natural

Ocean

“

Sends Odysseus to sleep on Phaeacia’s shore

Magical

Phaeacia

“

Rouses Nausicaa to her washing

Inspirational (Dream)

“ (Alcinous)

Book Six

Leads Nausicaa to Odysseus with ball

Magical

“

“

Places a glamour on Odysseus

Magical

“

“

Avoids responding directly to Odysseus’ prayer

(Absent)

“

“

Shrouds Odysseus in invisible fog

Magical

“

Book Seven

Gives Odysseus directions and advice

Phaeacian girl

“

“

Announces Odysseus’s victory at discus

Phaeacian man

“

Book Eight

NARRATIVE GAP:  Odysseus recounts his journeys

(Absent)

?

Book Nine

Disguises Ithaca to Odysseus’ eyes

Magical

Ithaca

Book Thirteen

Appears to Odysseus, asks him his origins

Shepherd boy

“

“

Reveals Ithaca and her own identity

(Overt) Woman

“

“

Dialogues with Odysseus

(Overt) Woman

“

“

Disguises Odysseus as beggar

Magical

“

“

Goads Telemachus home to Eumaeus

(Overt) Voice

Sparta (Menelaus)

Book Fifteen

Returns to Olympus

(self)

Olympus

“

Puts glamour on Odysseus for Telemachus

Magical

Ithaca (Eumaeus)

Book Sixteen

Makes suitors act cruelly towards disguised Odysseus

Inspirational

“ (Odysseus)

Book Eighteen

Puts glamour on Penelope

Magical

“ (“)

“

Inspires Penelope to exploit the suitors

Inspirational

“ (“)

“

Lights the hallway for Telemachus and Odysseus

Magical

“ (“)

Book Nineteen

Distracts Penelope from Eurycleia’s recognition

Magical

“ (“)

“

Reprimands Odysseus for lack of faith

(Overt) Voice

“ (“)

Book Twenty

Inspires cruelty and hysterics on the part of the suitors

Inspirational

“ (“)

“

Has Penelope bring out the axes

Inspirational

“ (“)

Book Twenty-One

Rebuffs Odysseus, spurs Odysseus to fight

Mentor

“ (“)

Book Twenty-Two

Retreats to rafters, dazzles and deflects suitors

(Overt)

“ (“)

“

Put glamour on Odysseus for Penelope

Magical

“ (“)

Book Twenty-Three

Holds back the sunrise for Odysseus and Penelope

Natural

“ (“)

“

Puts a glamour on Laertes

Magical

“

Book Twenty-Four

Petitions Zeus to end fighting on Ithaca

(Self)

Olympus

“

Arrives to intervene with the fight

Mentor

Ithaca

“

Sends Laertes’ spear-throw to kill Eupithes

Magical/Inspirational

“

“

Commands an end to fighting

Mentor

“

“