Expected Coverage Question Two:
Religion (with reference to Homer’s Odyssey)
The intervention of a god: Athena intervenes in the life of Odysseus and his family.
The description:
 shows insight into the world of Odysseus and the role of the gods
 gives detailed descriptions and explanations and makes excellent connections
 includes a greater quantity and quality of evidence
 has an analytical approach.
Eg: A god protects all Homeric heroes and Athena favours Odysseus.
This is because she s the goddess of wisdom, and he is know for his wisdom/courage
She always intervenes in his life and the life of his wife and son, in order to protect and assist them in
big ways and small, for example, brings sleep to Penelope to comfort her.
In Book 1, during the gathering of the gods when Zeus was talking about Aegisthus’ disregard for the
gods and their advice, Athena used this opportunity to remind Zeus that unlike Aegisthus, Odysseus
was always respectful of the gods and that Odysseus was held captive on the island of Calypso and
needed their help to return home. She convinced Zeus to send Hermes to Ogygia, to tell the beautiful
nymph to release Odysseus.
Also, Athena went to Ithaca to help Odysseus’ family. Disguised as Mentes, an old family friend, she
visited Telemachus who was sitting “disconsolate” in the hall thinking about his lost father and the
abusive suitors. Athena talked to the young man and encouraged him to stand up to the suitors and
assume responsibility in his household.
The examination of the effects of Athena’s interventions on Odysseus:
 includes a discussion, explanations, and evidence that show greater insight into the
world and character of Odysseus
 makes sound connections.
Eg: Athena has a positive effect on Odysseus’ life. It was Athena who reminded Zeus that Odysseus
was held captive on Calypso’s island. Also, that Odysseus was respectful of the gods, always offering
sacrifices and prayers to them and therefore he deserved their help to return home.
Athena’s help is absolutely crucial for the long-suffering Odysseus. Facing the wrath of Poseidon and
Calypso’s excessive love, he is unable to return home. In the face of adversity, people throughout the
centuries reach up to God /the gods, looking for divine help.
Only the intervention of Athena, another god, can counteract the work of other gods – man alone is
powerless.
An example of the exmaination of the messages given by the author about the relationship of
gods and humans:
Gods intervene in people’s lives in positive and negative ways. Because of their interventionist
nature, the Greeks feared the gods and attempted to appease them with every possible opportunity.
They therefore sacrificed and made offerings and libations to the gods. Athena uses this argument
when she asks Zeus to help Odysseus return home; she reminds him of the many bulls he has
sacrificed to Him by the Argive ships in Troy.
The Greeks also believed that the gods were benevolent but only to a certain extent. Therefore,
Athena helps Odysseus but also allows him to show his own strength. For example, during the killing
of the suitors, Homer makes it very clear that even though Athena was there helping him, Odysseus
had to fight hard against the numerous suitors and use his skills to defeat them.
AND /OR
Gods were only benevolent to people who showed respect to their laws, for example the laws of
hospitality. In the Odyssey, Athena helps Odysseus kill the suitors for showing disrespect towards
their host and breaking the rules of guest friendship.
Gods were only benevolent to people who showed respect to their unwritten laws, for example the
laws of hospitality. In the Odyssey, Athena helps Odysseus kill the suitors for showing disrespect
towards their host and breaking the rules of guest friendship; their behaviour is equal to hubris.
Expected Coverage Question Two:
Religion (with reference to Homer’s Odyssey)
The intervention of a god: Athena intervenes in the life of Odysseus and his family.
The description:
 shows insight into the world of Odysseus and the role of the gods
 gives detailed descriptions and explanations and makes excellent connections
 includes a greater quantity and quality of evidence
 has an analytical approach.
Notes
Eg:
A god protects all Homeric heroes
Athena/Odysseus – wisdom/cunning.
Bk1 meeting of Olympian gods complaining about Aegisthus reminds Zeus about
god-fearing Ody.
How he’s held by Calypso
Convinces Zeus to send Hermes to Ogygia,
Also, Athena to Ithaca as Mentes
To help disconsolate (why?)Telemachus
Athena encourages him to oppose the suitors & take responsibility in his household.
The examination of the effects of Athena’s interventions on Odysseus:
 includes a discussion, explanations, and evidence that show greater insight into
the world and character of Odysseus
 makes sound connections.
Eg: Athena has a positive effect on Odysseus’ life.
Persuased by reminding Zeus that 1) Odysseus still captive & 2) is respectful of the
gods needs her as 2 gods prevent his return.
Adversity always makes people reach for for divine help.
Only the intervention of Athena, another god, can counteract the work of other gods –
man alone is powerless.
An example of the exmaination of the messages given by the author about the
relationship of gods and humans:
Only the intervention of Athena, another god, can counteract the work of other gods –
man alone is powerless.
Gods intervene in people’s lives in positive and negative ways.
The Greeks feared the gods and try to appease them whenevr possible / sacrificed and
made offerings and libations to the gods.
Athena reminds Zeus of the “many bulls he has sacrificed to Him by the Argive ships
in Troy.”
Greeks also believed that the gods were benevolent but only to a certain extent.
Athena helps Odysseus but also allows him to show his own strength.
Eg he must kill the suitors (not her) using his own powers
Gods were only benevolent to respectful people
Eg Athena helps Odysseus against suitors as they disrespect rules of guest friendship
& show HUBRIS (pride agaisnt gods).