In myths, gods can be personified as natural agents such as fire, sky, earth, water, and the like. They are often visualized as having human shape, feeling human emotions, and performing human acts. However, they are immortal and infinitely more powerful than man.
Some myths deal with the art of causing the gods to affect human purposes. This involves primitive religion with a technological overcast. The gods, having some human qualities, may respond to worship, ritual, supplication, and sacrifice. Gods are never obliged to help human beings, but they can if they so desire. Gods sometimes show partiality by rewarding a few mortals with good fortune. But generally nature is unpredictable.
While men might use religious rituals to induce the gods to grant their requests, it was extremely dangerous to antagonize a supernatural force. The gods were invariably ruthless in punishing acts of impiety or overwhelming pride. Dozens of myths vividly portray the folly and dire results of neglecting or provoking the gods. This is equally a matter of morality and of attempts to influence nature.