the gods have an important role

• Zeus: travellers like Odysseus are sacred to Zeus, the patron of suppliants
• Athene: note her interventions in this episode. Although she helps, she is wary of upsetting Poseidon by appearing in front of Odysseus. As goddess of handicrafts, she gives the Phaeacian women their outstanding wool-making skills
• Poseidon: his hostility to Odysseus underlies the episode. Although he is the ancestor of Alcinous, and the Phaeacians' ability to sail magically fasts a gift from him, he is threatening. He has foretold that one day he will wreck one of their returning ships