To what extent would removing the immortals improve or weaken the poem?

To what extent would removing the immortals improve or weaken the poem?

1. Immortals + Roles

   • Athene
     • Tells Telemachus that Odysseus is alive, sends him to search
     • Convinces Zeus to help Odysseus while Poseidon is away
       • Helps Odysseus think while being shipwrecked
     • Gives Nausicaa the idea to go down to river, thus finding Odysseus
       • Makes Odysseus look more attractive when found, so Nausicaa wants to help him
         • Helps Odysseus find Nausicaa's home, keeps others from seeing him, and gives him useful advice about the family
   • Poseidon
     • Is angry at Odysseus for blinding the Cyclops
       • Shipwrecks Odysseus on Calypso's island
         • Means the other Immortals have to wait for him to leave to help Odysseus
           • Creates a storm to shipwreck Odysseus when he leaves Calypso's
     • Basically the reason for most of Odysseus' adventures
   • Ino
     • Gives Odysseus the veil to keep him safe when shipwrecked
   • Hermes
     • Delivers the message to Calypso to free Odysseus
   • Calypso
     • Falls in love with Oddyseus
       • Keeps Odysseus trapped for 10 years

2. Relationship between Immortals and Mortals

   • The phaeacians are favoured by the gods
   • Often Immortals interfere in the life of mortals - Calypso/Poseidon and Odysseus
     • Calypso stops him going home, Poseidon also traps him
   • Much of what mortals do is to please Gods
   • Mutual respect - Athene and Odysseus
   • (May not use)

3. Relationships between Immortals

   • Rarely openly defy each other
     • The other gods wait till Poseidon is gone to help Odysseus