#and aeolus wasnt Super helpful in the ocean saga he seemed more interested in messing with odysseus

[pulchrasilva]

Thinking about how the names of characters are introduced to us in EPIC, especially the gods. Most characters are introduced by either a character or the chorus saying their name.

Athena is introduced by Odysseus calling out her name and Aeolus is introduced by Odysseus speaking his name to address him. Hermes is introduced by Odysseus saying his name as he realises who he is. So all the "friendly"/helpful gods are introduced by Odysseus speaking to them, which automatically makes them a bit more familiar to the audience, more "human" if you will.

But Poseidon is introduced by the chorus (which is an audible representation of his divine power) chanting his name. It's a bold, terrifying introduction which emphasises his power and godhood above all else. And Zeus isnt introduced at all, his name is entirely up to the audience to infer, as if he knows his name precedes him (which it does, but is still arrogant. Especially alongside the whole "pride is a damsel in distress" speech). Both these introductions demonstrate the sheer power of the enemy gods, and a bit of a separation between them and the audience.

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) the only exception so far is Circe, whose name is first spoken by Hermes, a fellow god. It doesn't bring us super close to her, but also she's not present to demonstrate her power in that moment. And it makes sense for Circe to be the exception, because she's the only one who switches from enemy to friend