The role of the gods in the lives of men is very evident in many literary works. The gods play a significant, if not dominant, role in each of these works. The gods use their powers for many different and essential actions. In the numerous works, readers can see the gods determining events in the lives of men from time to time. In the Odyssey, the Greek goddess Athena, uses her power to influence many aspects of the lives of both Odysseus and his son, Telemachus. . Athena has an extraordinarily close relationship with Odysseus. She is Ulysses' guardian. Athena directs Odysseus and Telemachus both physically and mentally during their many life-changing adventures. At the beginning of the Odyssey, Odysseus is held by Calypso on her island. Athena begs her father, Zeus, to send Hermes to have Calypso release Odysseus so he can return home to Ithaca. Athena says, “…my heart is broken for Odysseus, the master mind of the war, for so long I am shipwrecked on an island… (The Odyssey, Book 1 page 226).” While Zeus sends Hermes to demand the release of Odysseus, Athena, disguised as Mentor, visits Telemachus. He sends Telemachus on a journey to find news of his father who, in turn, keeps him safe from suitors. When Odysseus is able to leave Calypso's island on a raft, Poseidon unleashes a strong storm because Odysseus has previously blinded his son Polyphemus. Athena once again intervenes to help Odysseus. Control the winds so that it washes over the shore of the island of Scheria. When he reaches the shore, Athena sends Odysseus into a deep sleep. While Odysseus rests, Athena goes in a dream to Nausikkaa, a princess, and tells her to go to the river and she will find Odysseus there. To do this, ... middle of paper ... immediately sent a treaty. Lysistrata begins to give a speech stating that they live in the same area and worship the same gods and still kill each other like savages. The commonalities between the two forces should unite them and not lead them into a war against each other. The fact that the two forces worship the same gods shows that they are not fighting a war to honor the gods, and therefore should not be at work. The role of the gods in Lysistrata is to provide a reason to maintain peace among the forces of men and even go so far as to unify them in the worship of their gods. Works Cited Lawall, Sarah N., and Maynard Mack. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Second ed. vol. A. New York: Norton, 2002. Print.Lawall, Sarah N. and Maynard Mack. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Second ed. vol. B. New York: Norton, 2002. Print.