God · Character in Homer’s Odyssey
Hermes Mercury
The gods' winged errand-runner
Quick, obliging, unsentimental; delivers the order and is gone.
He carries Zeus' order to Calypso that her guest must be released, and earlier meets Odysseus on the path to Circè's hall with the black-rooted herb that breaks her spell. In the last book he leads the suitors' souls down.
Bonds
- Hermes aids Odysseus — gives moly, explains the spell
- Hermes visits Calypso — delivers Zeus' command to free him
Appears in
- Book I Visit of Athena to Telemachus
- Book V Departure of Odysseus from Calypso
- Book X Aeolus, the Laestrigonians, and Circè
- Book XXIV Conclusion
Scenes
- Zeus recalls Aegisthus — Book I. Zeus blames mortals via Aegisthus
- Athena pleads for Odysseus — Book I. Athena begs Zeus, plans to send Hermes
- Gods Debate Odysseus’ Fate — Book V. Athena pleads, Zeus sends Hermes
- Hermes Journeys to Calypso’s Isle — Book V. Hermes arrives, finds Calypso in her cave
- Hermes Delivers Zeus’ Decree — Book V. Hermes tells Calypso to free Odysseus
- Calypso Protests, Then Yields — Book V. Calypso protests, yields to Zeus
- Calypso Offers a Raft — Book V. Calypso tells Odysseus to build a raft
- Calypso’s Final Appeal — Book V. Odysseus spurns eternity for Penelope
- Odysseus Supplicates Arete — Book VII. Misted Odysseus clasps Arete’s knees
- Gods Gather to Laugh — Book VIII. Gods gather, laugh at trapped lovers
- Apollo, Hermes, Poseidon — Book VIII. Apollo teases Hermes, Poseidon pleads
- Hermes and the Moly — Book X. Hermes warns Odysseus, gives him moly
- The Charm Fails — Book X. Moly shields Odysseus, he draws sword
- Heracles and the Flight — Book XI. Heracles recalls hound, Odysseus flees
- Helios’ Wrath — Book XII. Helios spurs Zeus to wreck the ship
- Sacrifice of the Boar — Book XIV. Herdsmen pen swine as Eumaeus prays
- Disguise Restored — Book XVI. Athena disguises Odysseus, Eumaeus returns
- The Scar’s Origin — Book XIX. Eurycleia recalls a boar gashing his leg
- Hermes Leads Souls — Book XXIV. Hermes guides ghosts to asphodel
- Amphimedon’s Tale — Book XXIV. Amphimedon tells slaughter, Penelope praised