Hermes and His Role in the Odyssey

In Greek mythology, Hermes is known as the messenger of the gods. He is the son of the God Zeus, and of Maia, the daughter of the titan Atlas. As the special servant and courier of Zeus, Hermes had winged sandals and a winged hat and bore a golden caduceus, or magic wand, entwined with snakes and surmounted by wings. He guided the souls of the dead to the underworld and was believed to possess magical power over sleep and dreams. Hermes was also the god of commerce and the protector of traders and herds, a natural enough connection when cattle were the standard of value. As the deity of athletes, he protected gymnasiums and stadiums and was believed to be responsible for both good luck and wealth. Despite his virtuous characteristics, Hermes was also a dangerous foe, a trickster, and a thief.

On the day of his birth he stole the eagle of his brother, the sun god Apollo, obscuring their trail by making the herd walk backward. When confronted by Apollo, Hermes denied the theft the brothers were finally reconciled when Hermes gave Apollo his newly invented lyre, fashioned out of a tortoise's shell. Of all the Gods, he is the shrewdest and most cunning, in fact he is the master thief. He is represented in Greek mythology as being a handsome and agile youth who is graceful and swift of motion. He appears more often in the tales of mythology than any other god. Hermes' role in the Odyssey is a minor one. His first appearance is in Book V, in which he brings Zeus' command to Calypso.

Send him back in haste. His life may not in exile go to waste. His destiny, his homecoming, is at hand, when he -shall see his dearest, and walk on his land. (Book V, 118

It is likely that Homer wanted to convey to his readers the obedience of Hermes by having him recite Zeus' command in a melodious rhyme. When Hermes says, "This is Zeus' command" and commences to rhyme, it sounds as if its another voice, a difference in the style of speech, probably a direct quote from Zeus. Another example in Book V of Hermes' obedience is the unhesitant and unquestioning acceptance of the task at hand. You get a sense of urgency when you read this passage:

No words were lost on Hermes the Wayfinder, who bent to tie his beautiful sandals on, ambrosial, golden, that carry him over water or over endless land in a swish of the wind, and took the wand with which he charms asleep or when he will, awake-the eyes of men. (Book V, 48)

Hermes' dedication to Zeus is usually shown to some degree whenever he is present on the page. When he speaks with Calypso, he emphasizes that he has come to see her for one specific reason, to communicate Zeus' wishes.

Zeus made me come; and not my inclination; who cares to cross the tract of desolation; the bitter sea, all mortal towns behind where gods have beef and honors from mankind? But it is not to be thought of -and no use-for any god to elude the will of Zeus. (Book V, 104)

Hermes' unwavering loyalty is more apparent than ever when he scolds Calypso for her defiant disposition at the news that she must release Odysseus.

Thus you shall send him, then. And show more grace in your obedience, or be chastised by Zeus. (Book V, 153)

Hermes does not seem unfeeling or cruel, just dutiful in his position. This comes across to the reader when he enters Calypso's cave and soaks up the beautiful surroundings.

Even a god who found this place would gaze, and feel his heart beat with delight. (Book V, 79)

Also, the way he soothes the dead when he leads them to the underworld. He is not harsh in his task; you feel a peace and beauty in his deliverance.

In Book X, Hermes appears as the wise magic savior who prepares Odysseus for his meeting with Circe. He meets Odysseus so naturally there that Odysseus shows no surprise when Hermes gives him his hand, addresses him, and offers him the antidote to the magic potion of Circe. Just where the atmosphere of the Odyssey is most thickly clouded with spooky possibilities, there the presence of Hermes is least surprising, and Odysseus himself, who drifts about within this atmosphere, has a wholly personal relation to Hermes. Personal relation is meant in the sense that Hermes seems to have a connection with Odysseus. I believe Homer conveys this to the reader without actually stating it. He never mentions that Odysseus' grandfather is Autolycos, a son of Hermes, but I feel he shows a connection of relation through the clever characteristics Odysseus displays. Both Hermes and Autolycos have this gift of cunning, and my opinion is that Odysseus inherited his wits through his bloodline. Also, Homer seems to give Hermes an elevated amount of sympathy for Odysseus that suggests a union between the two.

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. (Book V, 86)

Homer again gives more insight into Odysseus' heritage when Hermes meets Odysseus in Circe's long hall. Hermes' presence seems to neutralize the moment and puts Odysseus at ease:

But Hermes met me, with his golden wand, barring the way-a boy whose lip was downy in the first bloom of mankind, so he seemed. He took my hand and spoke as though he knew me. (Book X, 305)

The final appearance of Hermes is the last book, XXIV. It begins with an epiphany of Hermes:

Meanwhile the suitors' were called away by Hermes of Kyllene, bearing the golden wand with which he charms the eyes of men or wakens whom he wills. (Book XXIV, 1)

Hermes appears to the suitors after the avenging husband, Odysseus, extinguished their gluttonous lives. Almost like animals they were slaughtered, their lives left unfinished by this sudden death. They fell like animals, the souls in their bodies choked off. In this last book of The Odyssey, Hermes shows himself as the summoner of souls. He beckons the slain suitors gently to the other side. The staff, which he holds in hand, discloses its connection to a kind of lulling to sleep. His presence softens the effect of Odysseus' fearful revenge.

He led them down dank ways, over gray ocean tides, the snowy rock, past shores of dream and narrows of the sunset, in swift flight to where the dead inhabit wastes of asphodel at the world's end. (Book XXIV, 11)

Though Hermes only plays a small part in The Odyssey, Homer gives insight into the character. He shows us the obedient nature of Hermes and his loyalty to Zeus. Homer is able to convey to his reader that the dutiful Hermes is not unfeeling or unappreciative of the beauty around him. Hermes absorbs the majesty of Calypso's cavern with the grace of a poet. Homer also reveals the compassion of Hermes. It is heartfelt when Hermes takes upon himself the sorrow of Odysseus in Book V, and when he escorts the suitors to the underworld. They are mollified into a tranquil dreamlike state. The few pages that brought Hermes into existence, gave this god a memorable voice in The Odyssey.

Bibliography

Homer (translated by Robert Fitzgerald) The Odyssey (New York: Random House/Vintage Books, 1961) Hamilton, Edith. Mythology (New York: Penguin Books USA inc., 1940) Moncrieff, A.R. Hope, A Treasury of Classical Mythology (Barns & Noble Books, 1992)