Fate and The Gods

The role of fate in The Odyssey seems to be closely connected to the role of the gods in the Odyssey. I agree with Jonas' comments that the fates, not the gods decide life and death for mortals. However, the mortals of The Odyssey believe that the gods determine their course preceding their time of demise. There are conflicting ideas concerning the amount on power humans have over their own fate. The first ideas states that the gods control humans’ path throughout life and humans can win or lose favor based on their actions. For example, as Jonas mentioned, because Odysseus blinded Polyphemus, Poseidon impedes Odysseus’ journey home. Additionally, Zeus and Athena both hope to expedite Odysseus’ journey home due to his exceptional sacrifices and display of cunning and valor. However, not all sacrifices have rewards. Nestor, King of Pylos, when describing his journey displays the belief that the gods do influence mortal lives as he says “we reached Tenedos quickly, sacrificed to the gods, the crew keen for home, but a quick return was not in Zeus’ plans” (Book 2, Line 175). In this instance, despite all of their sacrifices and exemplary behavior, the gods did not assist Nestor and his crew. Other passages reflect the idea that humans choose their own path. It is unclear whether the gods lack the power to alter some events or if the gods are simply allowing the humans to make their own choices. This idea is demonstrated in the often-mentioned story of Agamemnon, Aegisthus and Orestes. In this tale, the gods warn Aegisthus to neither seduce Clymnestra nor kill Agamemnon. When Aegisthus seduces Clymnestra and kills Agamemnon, Orestes kills Aegisthus. Zeus reflects on Aegisthus lamenting “Ah how shameless – the way these mortals blame the gods. From us alone, they say, come all their miseries” (Book 1, Line 37). Fate in the Odyssey seems to be a combination of the two ideas: without interference from the gods, humans would make all their own decisions but the gods can and often will alter the human course. Which idea do you guys think is more prominent or do you believe that fate is entirely different?