Final answer:
In the Illiad book 1, the gods play various roles including being intermediaries, observers, and nuisances. Apollo, Athena, and Thetis have significant roles in shaping events.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Illiad book 1, the gods play multiple roles. They are not just aloof observers but also fair intermediaries and meddling nuisances.
One of the gods who plays a role in the story is Apollo. He supports the Trojans and influences events by sending a plague upon the Greeks as a punishment.
Athena, another god in the story, acts as a fair intermediary. She supports the Greeks and provides them with guidance and help during battles.
Thetis, the mother of the Greek hero Achilles, doesn't play a significant role in book 1. However, later in the epic, she pleads with Zeus for help, making her a mediator between the gods and mortals.