Character of Athena in Homer's Odyssey
Imagine living in another world and time, one where you were not
only a god but could also take the form of any object or person that you chose.
Athena, the daughter of Zeus, has this ability. Of all the characters in the Odyssey,
the most interesting to me is Athena. In my opinion, she guides the main
characters of the Odyssey in the right direction. She kind of looks over
their shoulders and serves as a guardian angel.
Athena makes Telemachos go to Pylos and Sparta. Athena says, "My
advice to you is this, if you will let me advise you. Get the best
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you can find, put twenty oarsmen aboard, go and find out about your father
and why he is so long away. Perhaps some one may tell you, or you may hear
some rumour that god will send, which is often the best way for people to
get news." (Homer 17) If not for Athena, Telemachos might have taken his
father for dead and encouraged his mother to marry one of her suitors. But
Athena, under the disguise of Mentes advises Telemachos to go on a journey
to try to find out what happenened to Odysseus. This is important
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... in deceptiveness and similarity with her: “Two of a kind, we are, contrivers, both. Of all men now alive you are the best in plots and storytelling. My own fame is for wisdom among the gods-deceptions, too” (8. 379-383). It is as if though Athena represents these qualities heavenly, whereas Odysseus represents them on earth. Athena further exclaims to Odysseus, “Whoever gets around you must be sharp and guileful as a snake; even a god might bow to you in ways of dissimulation. You! You chameleon! Bottomless bag of tricks!” (8. 371-375). It is of no surprise that by Odysseus and Athena gathering forces and wit in this journey, nothing could stand in their way and Odysseus’s homecoming. Thousands of years later, the Odyssey stands proof to that.
The great epic, Homer's Odyssey, is a tale of an adventure; a journey through the mind body and soul. Odysseus was strong throughout his voyage and was able to conquer his obstacles thanks to the help from the Goddess Athena. Athena provided physical and emotional support for this man, to get him on his way home to Ithaka. She also provided this same support for Odysseus' son, Telemakhos. Without her involvement, "The Odyssey" would not have turned out the way it did; because she plays such a crucial role in the story. It is understood that Odysseus is the primary character in this epic; concerning his fears and eventually returning to his home, Ithaka. The only reason this was possible is because he had the help of the clever and intelligent Goddess, Athena.
Up to this point in The Odyssey, Homer has introduced several characters, including the gods, Telemachus, Odysseus, and several more. The Gods first appear when they discuss what they should do about Odysseus’s turmoil as he attempts to get home to his wife and, now grown, son. Afterward, Athena appears to Telemachus as Mentor, an old companion of his father, Odysseus. She convinces Telemachus that he should set sail in order to find out if his father is dead or alive and also to take back control of his father’s kingdom from his mother, Penelope’s, suitors. Upon confrontation by Telemachus, Antinous, one of Penelope’s suitors, informs Telemachus of Penelope’s deception toward them. After hearing this, Telemachus continued to stand up for
Athena is the daughter of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. She is one of the 12 Olympians that live on top of Mount Olympus. Athena is the goddess of wisdom, strategy, skill, and justice, and the owl is her sacred bird. In Mandelbaum verse translation of the epic poem the Odyssey of Homer, Athena helped Odysseus by providing guidance, physical, and internal help. Without this help, Odysseus would have to forge the path home by himself and face the challenges that are to come alone. He would be left to face the wrath of both Zeus and Poseidon without another major god’s help. Athena aided Odysseus in the trials he was to face, which gave him the guidance and help he needed to return to his home, Ithaca.
Eventually Odysseus is set free over the demands of Poseidon. You can also look at Calypso and see how this goddess, nymph, has power. This is shown as Odysseus is leaving and she asks him if he would want to be immortal in return for him staying with her forever. This shows that she has power, more than many women, and can grant anyone immortality. Homer also describes her as lucky, that she is beautiful, but you can tell that inside.
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