Percy Jackson's Greek Gods

The stories Percy tells in this collection highlight how status shapes the world of the Greek gods in life and even after death. Through the relationship between gods and humans, the gender disparities among the gods, and the three realms of the Underworld, Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods explores the effects of power and status. From the moment the Olympians wrest control from Kronos, the gods become the rulers of the world. As the king of the gods, Zeus sets the precedent for the treatment of lesser beings—specifically, favoring those who honor him and punishing those who scorn his power. This attitude extends to the other Olympians, ultimately revealing the extent of their power over the world. In Chapter 9 when the first demigod comes to Mount Olympus, he believes that this honor elevates his status to godhood. However, when he says uncomplimentary things about the gods after drinking, they destroy him, showing that “no matter how nicely the gods treat you, they never see you as their equal” (133). This power dynamic between gods and humans persists throughout the collection and informs Percy’s relationship with the gods, making the balance of power a source of tension for the entire story universe.