God · Character in Homer’s Odyssey

Zeus Jove

Sky-father who allows the return

Even-handed, unhurried; lets fate run its course, then nods.

He grants Athena her petition in Book I and again in Book V, sending Hermes to order Odysseus freed. His thunder answers prayers at the right moments, and the peace he decrees over Ithaca is the last thing that happens in the poem.

Bonds

• Athena daughter of Zeus — petitions him as 'Our Father'
• Zeus dwells in Olympus — presides over the council there
• Zeus patron of Odysseus — decrees he shall reign in peace
• Zeus persecutes Odysseus — wrecks the ship with a thunderbolt
• Zeus aids Telemachus — sends fighting eagles as a sign
• Apollo son of Zeus — the archer among Zeus’ children
• Hera wife of Zeus — queen consort of heaven
• Artemis daughter of Zeus — huntress of the golden arrows
• Ares son of Zeus — war itself, little loved

Appears in

• Book I Visit of Athena to Telemachus
• Book II Departure of Telemachus from Ithaca
• Book V Departure of Odysseus from Calypso
• Book VII Reception of Odysseus by Alcinoüs
• Book IX The Ciconians, Lotus-Eaters, and Cyclops
• Book XII The Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis
• Book XIII Arrival of Odysseus at Ithaca
• Book XIV Meeting of Odysseus and Eumaeus
• Book XX The Last Banquet of the Suitors
• Book XXI The Bending of the Bow of Odysseus
• Book XXIV Conclusion

Scenes

1. Athena pleads for Odysseus — Book I. Athena begs Zeus, plans to send Hermes
2. Telemachus warns the suitors — Book I. Telemachus warns of vengeance, Antinoüs mocks
3. The Fleet’s Quarrel — Book III. Nestor recalls Atreus brothers’ quarrel
4. Welcome for the Strangers — Book IV. Menelaus overrules Eteoneus, welcomes guests
5. Peisistratus Confirms His Friend — Book IV. Peisistratus confirms him, talk draws tears
6. Helen’s Drug and Tales of Troy — Book IV. Helen’s drug, Menelaus recalls Troy
7. Gods Debate Odysseus’ Fate — Book V. Athena pleads, Zeus sends Hermes
8. Hermes Delivers Zeus’ Decree — Book V. Hermes tells Calypso to free Odysseus
9. Calypso Protests, Then Yields — Book V. Calypso protests, yields to Zeus
10. Odysseus’ Supplication — Book VI. Odysseus begs Nausicaä, who calms maids
11. Arete’s Question — Book VII. Odysseus retells Calypso, shipwreck, Nausicaä
12. Polyphemus interrogates — Book IX. Polyphemus demands origin, scorns Zeus
13. The fleet regained — Book IX. Polyphemus’s curse, ship dodges boulder
14. Theban and Pylian Queens — Book XI. Antiope, Alcmena, Megara, Epicaste, Chloris
15. Helios’ Wrath — Book XII. Helios spurs Zeus to wreck the ship
16. The Fatal Tempest — Book XII. Zeus’ bolt drowns entire crew
17. Poseidon’s Complaint — Book XIII. Poseidon complains, turns ship to stone
18. Hiding the Treasure — Book XIII. Odysseus kisses earth, hides treasure
19. The Cretan’s Long Tale — Book XIV. Odysseus invents war, plunder, betrayal
20. Eagle and Prophecy — Book XV. Helen reads the eagle omen as return
21. Sold to Laertes — Book XV. Plot succeeds, Laertes buys Eumaeus
22. Plotting the Vengeance — Book XVI. Odysseus plans, Telemachus urges caution
23. The Egyptian Tale — Book XVII. Odysseus invents a tale, Antinoüs jeers
24. Zeus Ordains Peace — Book XXIV. Zeus decrees peace, killings forgotten

Zeus is named in 166 of the poem’s scenes; these are the twenty-four that carry the most of the name.

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