God
‹ 10 · Outline
11.The gods and men in pagan epic and tragedy
11a.Gods who help and guide mortals
See also: Miracles 8b · War and Peace 8b · Fate 7a
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 33Athene assures Telemachus that the gods will give him words and that he was born and bred with divine favor.read · scan
- p. 38–39Athene's manifest love for Odysseus; a god could easily bring a man home; Telemachus doubts even the gods' will can help.read · scan
- p. 42Athene departs in the form of a sea-eagle; Nestor recognizes her as the goddess who guides and honors Telemachus.read · scan
- p. 43–44Nestor honors Athene, who appeared in visible presence, and seeks to propitiate her with an offering.read · scan
- p. 55–56Gods know all things and bind or free mortals; a god is hard for man to quell; Eidothee aids Menelaus.read · scan
- p. 66–67Athene sends a phantom to comfort Penelope, showing gods pitying and guiding mortals.read · scan
- p. 68The gods hold council; Zeus and Athene decide the fates of Odysseus and Telemachus.read · scan
- p. 78–79Athene guides him while he fears Poseidon's wrath and sea monsters.read · scan
- p. 79–80The river god responds to the suppliant's prayer and rescues him.read · scan
- p. 81Athene devises Odysseus's return by visiting the sleeping princess in a dream.read · scan
- p. 83–84Athene contrives the lost ball so that Odysseus wakes.read · scan
- p. 86–87Athene transforms him; Nausicaa sees the gods' will behind his coming.read · scan
- p. 90–91Athene shrouds Odysseus in mist and guides him disguised as a maiden, showing divine favour toward him.read · scan
- p. 99Athene disguised as a herald summons the people and lends Odysseus grace and stature so he wins honour among the Phaeacians.read · scan
- p. 103–104Athene aids Odysseus, marking his throw and cheering him as a true friend.read · scan
- p. 111–112Gods inspire the singer and Athene grants Odysseus victory; the Trojans consider offering the horse to appease the gods.read · scan
- p. 132–133A god guides the ship to harbor and sends the stag out of pity for Odysseus in his loneliness.read · scan
- p. 137Hermes, sent by the gods, intervenes to rescue Odysseus and reveals Circe's magic.read · scan
- p. 138Hermes gives the moly; the gods can do all things though mortals can hardly dig it.read · scan
- p. 181Athene reveals herself as his constant divine guardian who gave him favour among the Phaeacians.read · scan
- p. 182Athene takes every shape, hard for mortals to discern; she explains her absence out of deference to Poseidon.read · scan
- p. 184Athene guides Telemachus and protects him against ambush.read · scan
- p. 185Athene transforms Odysseus with her wand into an old beggar.read · scan
- p. 191Zeus guides fortunes: puts thoughts in his heart, protects strangers, destroys the ship with a thunderbolt and gives him the mast.read · scan
- p. 204–205Helen prophesies as the immortals put it in her heart; Telemachus prays Zeus to ordain it.read · scan
- p. 219Athene appears visibly only to Odysseus, transforms him with her wand, and urges him to reveal himself; gods do not appear to all.read · scan
- p. 219–220Telemachus mistakes transformed Odysseus for a god and offers sacrifice; Odysseus says gods easily glorify or abase mortals, as Athene did.read · scan
- p. 221Odysseus relies on Athene and Zeus as champions, and credits Athene for bringing him home.read · scan
- p. 222Zeus and Athene are the champions who will aid them; Athene will prompt the signal.read · scan
- p. 222–223Athene and Zeus will enchant the wooers to ruin; Telemachus asks for a sign from Zeus.read · scan
- p. 250Athene intervenes to give Penelope divine gifts and put her to sleep.read · scan
- p. 257–258Athene aids the plan and lights the way with a golden lamp.read · scan
- p. 258–259Telemachus marvels at the hall's supernatural brightness and senses a god; Odysseus says it is the wont of Olympian gods.read · scan
- p. 269Athene diverts Penelope's attention; Odysseus leaves the outcome to the gods.read · scan
- p. 274Athene promises divine protection to Odysseus against any number of mortals, rebuking his lack of trust.read · scan
- p. 288–289The herdsmen call on Zeus and the gods to bring Odysseus home.read · scan
- p. 294Zeus thunders a sign, gladdening Odysseus.read · scan
- p. 300–301Athene, disguised as Mentor, draws near; Odysseus prays for her help as a companion.read · scan
- p. 301–302Athene, in Mentor's guise, angrily rebukes Odysseus' flagging courage and tests the heroes' might before granting victory.read · scan
- p. 302–303Athene makes the wooers' javelins fly wide, and Agelaus hopes Zeus will grant them the kill.read · scan
- p. 303–304Athene raises her aegis and scatters the wooers in terror; the neatherd bids Ctesippus leave his case to the mightier gods.read · scan
- p. 329Laertes invokes Zeus and Athene, who makes him taller and mightier.read · scan
- p. 330–331Medon says Odysseus acted with the gods' will, having seen a god in Mentor's likeness aiding him.read · scan
- p. 331–332Zeus and Athene deliberate; Zeus orders reconciliation, oblivion of the killings and Odysseus as king.read · scan
- p. 332–333Athene appears as Mentor and urges Laertes to pray and hurl his spear.read · scan
- p. 333–334Athene gives strength, Zeus hurls a bolt, and the gods command Odysseus to stop; he obeys.read · scan
Aeschylus, AgamemnonVol. 8
- p. 37–38Gods guard the land and helped him wring justice from Priam's town.read · scan
Sophocles, Oedipus the KingVol. 8
- p. 253Creon says that banishing Oedipus is something only the gods can grant; Oedipus prays the powers guard Creon better.read · scan
Sophocles, AntigoneVol. 8
- p. 260The chorus suggests divine intent in the burial; Creon denies the gods would honour a temple-burner.read · scan
Euripides, The BacchaeVol. 8
- p. 375–377The god himself will guide them; to take steeds would be to mistrust him.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 73–77Neptune asserts his sovereign realm over the sea and calms the storm, showing divine power over nature.read · scan
- p. 77–80Venus appeals to Jove as king of gods and men, questioning his promise and justice.read · scan
- p. 80Jove comforts Venus and promises deification to Aeneas and Caesar.read · scan
- p. 80Jove sends Mercury to open Carthage to the Trojans; Venus appears disguised to her son.read · scan
- p. 85–86Venus, in disguise, is revealed to her son by her gait and ambrosial scent; he complains at her disguise.read · scan
- p. 117Anchises prays to Jove and country gods, trusting the omens as their answer and guidance.read · scan
- p. 152Hyarbas prays to Jove, questions the god's power and justice, citing the hundred temples he built.read · scan
- p. 152Jove hears Hyarbas's prayer and sends Mercury with a command to Aeneas.read · scan
- p. 152Jove sends Mercury with a stern command; Aeneas is struck with fear.read · scan
- p. 167Hermes warns Aeneas in a dream and Aeneas submits to the god's will.read · scan
- p. 197Aeneas prays to Jove to spare the fleet; the god answers with storm rain, showing divine pity and intervention.read · scan
- p. 202Venus pleads with Neptune, who recalls past aid to Aeneas and calms the sea; the gods intervene in human affairs.read · scan
- p. 202Sleep descends in disguise to overcome the pilot, while Neptune keeps the fleet safe when man fails.read · scan
- p. 207The god's presence brings holy fear; Aeneas addresses Apollo as protector of Troy.read · scan
- p. 268River god Tiber appears in a dream to cheer Aeneas.read · scan
- p. 293Jove and Cybele intervene, swearing by Styx and miraculously turning the Trojan ships into nymphs.read · scan
- p. 305Ascanius prays to Jupiter, who thunders assent; Apollo praises him and foretells Rome's divine line.read · scan
- p. 305Apollo disguised as Butes restrains Ascanius; Trojans recognize the god by his bow.read · scan
- p. 325Divine Mother turns the ships into immortal sea nymphs who aid Aeneas.read · scan
- p. 340Juno intervenes, cutting the ship's cables to carry Turnus away.read · scan
- p. 344Juno pities Turnus and prevents his suicide; Jove's impulse arms Mezentius.read · scan
- p. 344Gods watch the strife and mourn human misery; Venus and Juno concerned; Mezentius invokes only his own hand.read · scan
- p. 381Jove surveys the battle and inspires Tarchon to redeem the field.read · scan
- p. 389The healer declares the cure is the work of divine hands, showing gods intervening in human affairs.read · scan
Plutarch, AristidesVol. 12
- p. 89Gods appear in dreams and oracles, guiding human decisions.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 176–177Plutarch cites Homer's gods inspiring thoughts in men at critical moments.read · scan
- p. 177Divine aid works by initial occasions, images and suggested thoughts, not by moving bodies.read · scan
William Wordsworth, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 661–663Jove and Hermes grant her prayer, permitting her husband three hours.read · scan
11b.Gods who persecute and quarrel
See also: Fate 7b · Revenge 7c · Love 2a
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 9Gods council on Olympus; Poseidon's anger and Calypso's hold on Odysseus; divine will ordains the time of his return.read · scan
- p. 10–11Zeus explains Poseidon's anger over the blinded Cyclops and the gods take counsel together to bring Odysseus home.read · scan
- p. 35Athene's wrath, Zeus's fashioning of doom, and a god's sign guiding the voyage; the gods' mind is not lightly turned to repentance.read · scan
- p. 39Zeus sends winds and waves that scatter and wreck the fleet of Menelaus.read · scan
- p. 54–55Gods hold Menelaus becalmed for twenty days; a goddess pities him and saves him.read · scan
- p. 57–58Menelaus appeals to the all-knowing gods and asks Proteus which immortal hinders his return.read · scan
- p. 74–75Poseidon, angry, sees him near Phaeacia and raises storms of all winds to drive him further into suffering.read · scan
- p. 75–76Odysseus sees Zeus crowning heaven with clouds and troubling the deep.read · scan
- p. 76–77Gods intervene in Odysseus's fate: Poseidon persecutes him while the goddess Ino pities him and gives a saving veil.read · scan
- p. 77–78Poseidon wrecks the raft in anger while Athene calms the winds to save Odysseus; the gods govern his sufferings.read · scan
- p. 85He fears the gods will bring more troubles.read · scan
- p. 87–89Odysseus appeals to Athene, child of Zeus, complaining she did not hear him when Poseidon smote him at sea.read · scan
- p. 89–90Athene withholds her open appearance out of regard for her father's brother Poseidon, who rages against Odysseus.read · scan
- p. 95–96Zeus wrecks his ship, Poseidon stirs storms, and Calypso is an awful goddess who cherished him.read · scan
- p. 112–113Poseidon's jealousy of the Phaeacians' safe escort may bring ruin, as the god pleases.read · scan
- p. 152–153Otus and Ephialtes threatened the immortals, piling Ossa on Olympus, and were destroyed by Apollo before maturity.read · scan
- p. 170–171The gods watch, quarrel and judge; Helios appeals to Zeus for vengeance.read · scan
- p. 177–178The gods deliberate: Poseidon and Zeus debate Odysseus's return and agree to turn the Phaeacian ship to stone.read · scan
- p. 178Poseidon's jealousy and Athene's mist shape human affairs; gods act on mortals.read · scan
- p. 249–250Athene directs Penelope's heart; the gods of Olympus are blamed for destroying her bloom.read · scan
- p. 266–267Eurycleia laments that Zeus hated Odysseus despite his piety and many sacrifices, cutting off his return.read · scan
- p. 278–279Philoetius accuses Zeus of having no compassion, making men fellows of evil and pain.read · scan
Aeschylus, AgamemnonVol. 8
- p. 30Gods' anger is said to have smitten the Greeks in storm and demand thanksgiving apart from sorrow.read · scan
- p. 44–45Zeus willed that spilled blood cannot be recalled, and struck Asclepius.read · scan
- p. 46–48Cassandra calls on Apollo as destroyer, once her love, who led her to death.read · scan
- p. 52–54Apollo loved Cassandra, gave her prophecy, and punished her broken troth by making her unbelieved.read · scan
- p. 56Apollo's love made and his hate unmade her; the gods have sworn to avenge her death.read · scan
Aeschylus, Prometheus BoundVol. 8
- p. 186–188Zeus is shown cruel to Io, who asks what offence earned her torment.read · scan
- p. 190Zeus desires Io and sends nightly dream visions; his will constrains mortals.read · scan
- p. 200–201Prometheus declares hatred for all the gods; the new gods think they dwell untroubled.read · scan
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 317–320Nurse calls Cypris more than a god, whose power overwhelms the queen and her house.read · scan
- p. 342–343Theseus invokes Poseidon's promise of three prayers and speaks of God's all-seeing eye.read · scan
- p. 355Hippolytus prays to Zeus and the sea-bull is sent as divine punishment by Poseidon.read · scan
- p. 358–359Artemis appears, explaining Cypris's divine wrath destroyed Phaedra and Hippolytus; the gods act through passion and curse.read · scan
- p. 362–365Artemis reveals Cypris's hatred of chastity caused three deaths; gods plot and mortals cannot curse back at them.read · scan
- p. 365–367Artemis vows vengeance on Cypris's favorite; gods send error to men and cannot watch death.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 73Juno's resentment and persecution of Aeneas; the poet asks whether heavenly minds can show such spite against men.read · scan
- p. 73Juno complains her power is slighted, recalls Pallas's vengeance, and seeks Aeolus's help against the Trojans, while Jove restrains the winds.read · scan
- p. 73Aeolus acts as the gods' agent, receiving his power and place at the gods' feast from Juno.read · scan
- p. 117Venus reveals the avenging deities Neptune, Juno, Pallas and Jove destroying Troy, showing the gods, not Helen, caused its fall.read · scan
- p. 152Juno and Venus bargain and scheme with cunning over mortals' lives; the gods manipulate the storm.read · scan
- p. 248Juno, jealous of Trojan success, vows to defy Jove and Fates and call on Hell to thwart Aeneas.read · scan
- p. 260Jove strikes down the healer who revived the dead; Diana protects Hippolytus.read · scan
- p. 321Venus pleads before Jove, blaming Juno's persecutions; Juno indignantly replies.read · scan
- p. 389Juno, jealous of Jove's infidelities, addresses the nymph Juturna and surveys the field.read · scan
- p. 389Juno urges breaking the truce, taking responsibility for the crime.read · scan
- p. 412Jove is portrayed as an angry, hostile sender of disease, death and war on mortals.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 165–166She addresses Venus as implacable persecutor forcing love upon her and Hippolytus.read · scan
- p. 174–175Theseus invokes Neptune's promised favour to answer his prayer.read · scan
- p. 177–180Theseus counts on Neptune's oath by Styx to execute vengeance.read · scan
- p. 191–193Gods blamed for robbing a guiltless life and serving Theseus's prayer too well.read · scan
11c.Zeus, Fate and the limits of divine power
See also: Fate 4b
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 15Matters lie on the knees of the gods; the voice of Zeus brings tidings.read · scan
- p. 48Zeus's mansions and treasures are everlasting, no mortal can contend with him.read · scan
- p. 69Zeus commands and Hermes flies as messenger to Calypso's cave; gods marvel at her isle.read · scan
- p. 69–70Hermes delivers Zeus's command; no god can override Zeus's purpose.read · scan
- p. 71Calypso complains gods are jealous of goddesses mating with men, yet submits since none can go beyond Zeus's purpose.read · scan
- p. 72Calypso yields to the gods, who are stronger than she in will and power.read · scan
- p. 86Nausicaa says Zeus gives fortune to good and evil alike, and that strangers and beggars are from Zeus.read · scan
- p. 165Mortals must yield to the deathless gods; the gods' flocks on Thrinacia must not be harmed.read · scan
- p. 190Zeus invoked as witness to the oath; gods blamed for Telemachus's troubles.read · scan
- p. 195He honors the stranger from fear of Zeus, god of strangers, and pity.read · scan
- p. 196–197Eumaeus declares god gives and withholds as he will; with him all things are possible.read · scan
- p. 212–213Telemachus leaves to Olympian Zeus the outcome of the wooers' fate; Apollo's messenger bird appears.read · scan
- p. 239–240He invokes gods as avengers of wronged beggars, if any gods exist.read · scan
- p. 240–241The wooers say gods may wander disguised as strangers, watching men's violence and righteousness.read · scan
- p. 248The gods give men happiness and sorrow; men should quietly accept their gifts.read · scan
- p. 265Odysseus swears an oath by Zeus, highest of gods, and by the hearth.read · scan
- p. 310–311Penelope attributes the nurse's supposed madness to gods who can make the wise foolish.read · scan
Aeschylus, AgamemnonVol. 8
- p. 12–13The chorus invokes Zeus as the only name that lifts the burden of the mind, and Artemis's jealous anger.read · scan
- p. 65–67Zeus is invoked as high cause of all things, who wills and fulfils them.read · scan
- p. 69–70Zeus is lord while Time shall be.read · scan
Aeschylus, The FuriesVol. 8
- p. 147–148Apollo appeals to the decree of Zeus, whose command outweighs oaths; the Furies point to Zeus's own binding of Cronos.read · scan
- p. 164–165Zeus the all-seeing and Fate are invoked to descend and aid Athena's city.read · scan
Aeschylus, Prometheus BoundVol. 8
- p. 184–186Chorus prays not to oppose Zeus's sovereign might and to serve the gods with offerings; Zeus is subject to fate.read · scan
Sophocles, AntigoneVol. 8
- p. 255–259Zeus hates boastful speech and hurls down the arrogant invader.read · scan
- p. 272–275Chorus praises Zeus' unaging power that no human pride can check; one law rules through time.read · scan
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 326–328Cypris' power extends over all living things, and gods themselves are subject to her.read · scan
Euripides, The BacchaeVol. 8
- p. 435–436The Chorus closes that the gods bring about many things past hope or fear, and the unexpected end comes.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 109–111The gods are seen as passive, abandoning their temples to Greek spoil.read · scan
- p. 316Juno can no longer aid Turnus after Jove sends Iris; the river god bears him safely.read · scan
- p. 321Jupiter summons the council of gods and forbids them to take sides in the war.read · scan
- p. 321Juno's rebuttal in the divine council, and Jove's declaration of neutrality.read · scan
- p. 325Hercules cannot answer Pallas's prayer; Jove permits the fatal fight, averting his sight.read · scan
- p. 340Jupiter and Juno debate whether divine aid sustains the combatants; Jove grants a reprieve for Turnus but not a change of fate.read · scan
- p. 412Gods intervene on both sides; Jove reproves Juno for aiding Turnus, since Aeneas is foredoomed to heaven.read · scan
- p. 412Jupiter commands Juno to cease opposing the Trojans; Juno submits, bargaining over the future of the peace.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 27–28Gods' promises and oracles may be doubtful or misunderstood; Venus is unsure of Jupiter's assurance.read · scan
- p. 55–56Jupiter as common father of mankind, an impartial spectator; gods bound by fate.read · scan
‹ 10 · Outline