Exploring the Trickster God Hermes in Homeric Hymn | Analytical Essay

The Trickster God Hermes in Homeric Hymn

By [Student’s Name]

Course Code and Name

Professor’s Name

University

City and State

Tung-An Wei

The Homeric Hymn to Hermes has been considered one of the important texts to understand the divine nature of Hermes and his relationship with other gods because it recounts the deeds of infant Hermes who is only one day old^[1]. In this Hymn, on the day his was born, Hermes spontaneously invents the lyre which later becomes the icon of his elder brother Apollo and goes on to steal Apollo’s cattle in the evening simply because he desires flesh (Hymn 20, 69). The crime scene is set in the evening when all is shadowy, silent and peaceful, a perfect timing for stealthy deeds.

ἠέλιος μὲν ἔδυνε κατὰ χθονὸς ὠκεανόν δὲ
αὐτοῖσίν θ᾽ ἵπποισι καὶ ἅρμασιν: αὐτὰρ ἄρ᾽ Ἑρμῆς
Πιερίης ἀφίκανε θέων ὄρεα σκιόεντα,
ἔνθα θεῶν μακάρων βόες ἄμβροτοι αὖλιν…