Slavery in "The Odyssey"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines Homer's use of slaves in the Greek epic "The Odyssey." The issue of slavery is detailed throughout the story and the writer explains how slaves were created by angering the gods. This paper focuses on Odysseus, the mighty Greek warrior who angered Poseidon and as a result was a slave to the whims of lesser Gods. This story also discusses how humans were perceived as amusement to the gods.

From the Paper:

"The issue of slavery by the gods is found throughout this epic. One can become a slave by angering the gods, or simply because they want it that way. In The Odyssey, the reader finds a bit of all reasons for slavery. Quite often, men become slaves of women gods or nymphs. The tasks they are expected to perform vary, but quite often it is simply to keep the goddess occupied. There is a strong feeling in this epic that humans are simply there for the amusement of the gods. One cannot really escape slavery; rather, one has to work through it, and if another god intercedes on an individual's behalf, then they are set free."

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