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Liam Oberst

Mrs. Dietrich

Honors English 10

3 April 2017

Hermes in The Odyssey

The Odyssey is no exception when it comes to Greek gods in the plot. As the Greek god

of travel, language, fertility, animal husbandry, wealth, sleep, luck, trade, and thieves, Hermes

was a very prominent, famous, and important Greek god. His prominence can also be linked to

the fact that he is the son of Zeus and Maia. He can be seen throughout The Odyssey in a variety

of different ways.

Hermes is a very lively, fun, and sneaky god. He is like a kid. In Kevin Osborn and Dana

L. Burgesss book The Complete Idiots Guide to Classical Mythology, they tell us that, Hermes

was born in a cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia in southern Greece (The Little Rascal:

Hermes). Hermes actually went out of the cave that he was born in only hours after he was born

and killed a tortoise to make the first lyre and taught himself how to play it. (The Little Rascal:

Hermes excerpted from Osborns Guide to Classical Mythology) This shows us that from the

start Hermes was an intelligent god. He was going to play a big role in Greek mythology and him

killing the tortoise, making the lyre, and teaching himself how to play it was a sign. Hermes

intelligence continues to shine through even after he does this! There are more signs of his

cunning and intelligence from the day of his birth.

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That same day, the baby Hermes slipped out of his mothers sight and went searching for

adventure. When he found himself in the pastures of the gods, Hermes impulsively stole

50 cows from Apollo, then still the herdsman of the gods. Though he had been in the

world less than a day, Hermes already had a cunning mind. He disguised his tracks by

cobbling together shoes made of bark from a fallen oak tree. To make it even harder to

track him, he confused the herds trail by driving the cows backward and traversing sandy

places that let no prints. (Burgess)

Keep in mind that this all happened on the day of his birth. While he was taking the cattle away,

he met a man whose name was Battus. Hermes was not sure if he could trust the stranger. Battus

disclosed what Hermes was doing, which was a big mistake for him, because Hermes turned him

into stone (Burgess).

Hermes returned home after he hid all the cows. He snuck back in, put on the clothes he

had on before, and went to sleep all in an attempt to fool his mother, Maia. She was not fooled

(Burgess). This seems to be Hermes first lack of godly success, other than when Battus exposed

him. Maia told Hermes that the gods would be angry at all of these actions (Burgess).

The story goes on. Apollo, a god, is struggling to find his cows that Hermes stole. He was

led to the cave where he found Hermes. Hermes pleaded that he did not take Apollos cows, and

even went as far to say he did not even know what a cow was. Hermes was definitely testing his

luck when he said he did not even know what a cow was (Burgess). Apollo was angry, and did

not place any belief or trust in the young god Hermess word. So he took action. Apollo took

Hermes before Zeus, and Hermes was charged with theft. Remember that Zeus is Hermess dad.

Zeus made sure that Hermes gave Apollo his herd back. Hermes started playing on his lyre that

he made from the tortoise he killed when Apollo was getting his herd back together. Apollo was
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mystified by the instrument. He made Hermes a deal for it, saying that he would give his entire

herd for the lyre. Hermes happily accepted, and immediately after started making another

instrument called the reed-pipe which he traded for Apollos golden staff and the honor of being

the god of herdsmen and shepherds (Burgess) Hermes promised to Zeus that he would never lie

again if he was the herald and messenger. Zeus liked the sound of that, and made sure that

Hermes knew that he also had to protect travelers, promote trade, and negotiate treaties

(Burgess). Zeus had a gift in mind for Hermes that would allow his travel to be very fast.

To ensure rapid delivery of his messages, Zeus presented Hermes with golden winged

sandals as swift as the wind. He also gave the young god a round hat to protect him from

rain and a heralds staff. Zeuss brother Hades soon asked Hermes to serve as his herald

as well. As the herald of death, Hermes thereafter gently collected and guided the dead to

the Underworld. (Burgess)

This is the story and history of Hermes became the herald, messenger, god of herdsmen and

shepherds, god of travel, and so on.

Odysseus is on a long journey to get back to his home, Ithaca, during The Odyssey. He is

most definitely considered a traveler during this journey, so why wouldnt the god of travel help

him at least some time during his journey? Well, Hermes does help Odysseus in a couple of

different ways throughout The Odyssey that are key events. The first time that Hermes helps

Odysseus on his journey appears in book five of Homers The Odyssey. Its when he convinces

Calypso to free Odysseus from her island, which is obviously going to help him get back home

to Ithaca. Calypso warns Odysseus of all the obstacles he will encounter on his journey, but that

is not nearly enough to stop him from wanting to go back to Ithaca.

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Even a god who found this place would gaze, and feel his heart beat with delight: so

Hermes did; but when he had gazed his fill he entered the wide cave. Now face to face

the magical Calypso recognized him, as all immortal gods know one another on sight

though seeming strangers, far from home. But he saw nothing of the great Odysseus, who

sat apart, as a thousand times before, and racked his own heart groaning, with eyes wet

scanning the bare horizon of the sea (Homer 5.32-42)

This quote from book five of The Odyssey is explaining what Hermes first sees when he gets to

Calypsos island. Calypso is curious and wants to find out why Hermes is at her island, so she

invites him over for food and drink.

Calypso invites Hermes to her table for food and drink, asking why he has come. Hermes

explains that he has brought with an order from Zeus that Calypso must not detain

Odysseus any longer but send him on his way home. She reluctantly obeys, agreeing to

offer Odysseus her advice about how to get home. (Homer 5)

Calypso obviously does not want Odysseus to leave her island, as she reluctantly obeyed this

order from Zeus. Hermes is the one who relays Zeuss order because he is the herald and

messenger of the gods. Calypso goes to alert Odysseus of this order and lets him know that he

can go. O forlorn man, be still. Here you need grieve no more; you need not feel your life

consumed here; I have pondered it, and I shall help you go (Homer 5.56-59). Calypso takes

Odysseus to her cave to warn him of the adversaries he will face, and that he will immortal if he

stays with her.

Son of Laertes, versatile Odysseus, after these years with me, you still desire your old

home? Even so, I wish you well. If you could see it all, before you goall the adversity
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you face at seayou would stay here, and guard this house, and be immortalthough

you wanted her forever, that bride for whom you pine each day. Can I be less desirable

than she is? Less interesting? Less beautiful? Can mortals compare with goddesses in

grace and form? (Homer 5.69-79)

In this quote from Calypso she is comparing herself to Odysseuss wife who he desires and

loves. This is how he responds to Calypso.

My lady goddess, here is no cause for anger. My quite Penelopehow well I know

would seem a shade before your majesty, death and old age being unknown to you, while

she must die. Yet, it is true, each day I long for home, long for the sight of home.

(Homer 5.81-86)

Odysseus explains that he does understand that Penelope is neither perfect nor a god, but he still

loves her, knowing that she will die unlike Calypso. He also talks about how its not only

Penelope, his wife, that he longs for but also his home, Ithaca. This is the first way how Hermes

helps Odysseus in The Odyssey.

Hermes helps Odysseus one more time during The Odyssey when he gives Odysseus a

plant called moly which is going to protect him from Circes power.

On the way, he meets the god Hermes, who gives him a magical plant called moly to

protect him from Circes power. Still, Hermes warns Odysseus that he must make the

goddess swear she will play no witches tricks. Armed with the moly and Hermess

warning, Odysseus arrives at Circes palace. (Homer)

While Odysseuss crew was turned into pigs, Odysseus himself was not because of the plant that

Hermes gave him. It does not really seem like Hermes did that much in regards of The Odyssey,
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right? Well, actually, he did. Think of it like this, what he did affected the plot in a significant

way. If he never gives this plant to Odysseus that protects him from the magic of Circe,

Odysseus gets turned into a pig along with the rest of his crew and cannot save them. Also, when

he brought the message that Calypso had to let go of Odysseus was an important part of the

book. This is basically the start of his journey back home. If it never happens, the long epic poem

known as The Odyssey never happens either.

All in all, Hermess history and origin sets the scene for his role in The Odyssey.

Although it does not seem like he does much, considering he only comes up two times, his

actions really helped the plot develop and made sure the protagonist, Odysseus, was able to

complete his journey.