Athena's Role In 'The Odyssey'

The story of homer's epic poem the "The Odyssey" occurs ten years following the Trojan War is over. There are many heroes of the conflict which come home to their young families, however there are even more that are lost through the long struggling years of the war. Of this few who remained behind, Odysseus undergoes battle after fight, problem after problem, and has already established the most trouble coming home. The storyplot starts in the tenth 12 months since the war has ended, almost 20 years since our mighty hero Odysseus went to war and still left his palace, his partner Penelope, and even his infant son Telemachus in back of. Telemachus was raised without a daddy wondering if Odysseus will ever return home. The storyline of the "Odyssey" captures the reunion between prodigal father with his kid, and taking back the land from the horrible suitors that complete the king's palace.

Herein emerges another hero that would save this family from all the problems of these Epic poem. The mighty Goddess of wisdom and strategy and little girl of Zeus, Athena play a substantial role throughout "The Odyssey". Too Athena, the world is nothing like her own world of gods and goddess She can walk readily in any form, even the face of characters who have long past from the world of the personas in "The Odyssey". It really is through her every word she speaks and every action she takes that influences the lives of the hundreds of thousands that look up to her for instruction. Athena may bring those people jointly, and acts as the savior and protector of the individuals. In this essay I will analyze Athena's major role of safeguard and information throughout the epic, and exactly how her use of disguise and transformation affects their desire and choices in the epic poem.

Athena requires the role of both security and intelligence as she not only leads but battles alongside both Odysseus and Telemachus. She instills self-assurance and durability into Telemachus and helps him in his journey into manhood. Athena also helps Odysseus, giving him both advice and assistance as he faces the countless problems through his journey back again to home. Athena doesn't just help Odysseus and his kid; she really helps to develop them as epic heroes. It is through her they learn the features define a hero. From her first action of assistance to her final peacemaking, she actually is largely accountable for the creation and realization of the storyline.

Telemachus' daydreams before get together Athena for the very first time: "sitting among the suitors, heart obsessed with grief. He could almost see his superb daddy, here" (B1:L134-136). Growing up without his daddy Odysseus, the one knowledge Telemachus knows of him are only the stories informed to him by his consorts. With all the suitors roaming widely through the fantastic halls of his father's palace, running after his mother Penelope's hand in matrimony, Prince Telemachus is left hopeless to avoid them. Athena uses her great skills of strategy and wisdom to quickly find a way to inspire our hero Telemachus to quest to find his daddy. She form shifts into Odysseus' old friend Mentes, and predicts that Odysseus continues to be alive which he'll soon return to Ithaca. "Take my words to heart. At daybreak summon the hawaiian islands lords to full assemblage, give your orders to all or any and call the gods to see sail in pursuit of reports of your long- lost father, " Athena declared (B1:L315-325). With these words of encouragement, Athena uses her disguise to impact the prince to find his dad. If it not for Athena, Telemachus may have taken his father for useless and urged his mom to marry one of her suitors. The trip is also important because the quest of Telemachus plays an important part of him becoming a man by himself.

When Telemachus gets to Nestor's kingdom, Lord Nestor explains to Telemachus the story of his daddy after the conflict and what happened to Agamemnon. As Menelaus placed sail for Greece soon after the conflict, Agamemnon made a decision to wait a day and continue reducing on the shores of Troy. Nestor explains to Telemachus that he still left the island with Menelaus, while Odysseus stayed behind with Agamemnon, and since that time Nestor has heard no information of Odysseus. Nestor extended and all of the sudden Athena "winged away in an eagle's form and trip" (B3:L410). Nestor, astonished, prayed that Athena will show Telemachus the kindness that she confirmed Odysseus "Dear young man- never dread you will be a coward or defenseless, not if at the young age the gods will officer you so. Of all who dwell on Olympus, this was none but she" (B3:L415-424). Homer decided this moment to show that Athena is truly with the youngster and his trip to find his daddy and protect his family. Athena would swiftly become a major part of Telemachus and his voyage to find media of his dad.

Athena not only used her ability of disguise and change to motivate Telemachus however, she also helped bring together many visitors to help in his quest, and kept those people strong through all the question they had for the heroes success. Before Telemachus even placed sail from his home, Athena disguised herself as the prince and brought crewman to his dispatch: "Gather beside our ship at nightfall- Be there" (B2:L425). Athena brings hope to those who need it the most. Once she discovers of her kid going out of, Penelope cries at the thought of losing her kid Telemachus to the suitor's storyline of ambush against her kid. Athena quickly feels of one more way to help Penelope, by becoming a phantom of Iphthime, sister of Penelope: "Courage! You shouldn't be overwhelmed by all of your direst worries. He journeys with this escort, the one that others would pray to stand beside them" (B4:L928-930). Down the road, Penelope weeps again but Athena ensured to look after her:" 'Daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope, be of good cheer, and let not things distress your center' until bright-eyed Athena cast lovely sleep after her eyelids" (B16:L451). Athena shows great look after the primary heroes of "The Odyssey" and helps to protect those who find themselves too weak to be independently. A quality of epic hero is to protect the weak, goddess or not, she demonstrates over and over again that she is a genuine hero and a protector of individuals.

Athena offers not only security, but gift items to her supporters. In "The Odyssey" Athena includes the abilities of women: "For as the Phaeacian men are skilled above all others in speeding a swift dispatch upon the ocean, so are the women cunning staff at the loom, for Athena has given to them most importantly others skill in fair handiwork, and a knowledge heart and soul" (B7:L110). Athena's heart is pure which is through her divinity that she grants the power and can to be strong. Before Telemachus increases weary of travel during his quest to find his daddy Athena urges him to brain steadfast home to protect his mom: "Telemachus, do not well to wander much longer definately not your home, abandoning you your prosperity and men in your own home so insolent, that they split and devour your entire property. Nay, rouse with all swiftness find your commendable mom still in her home" (B15:L9-15).

Athena pieces over Telemachus like he was her own child sending him on the right blowing wind for his trip home: "And bright-eyed Athena sent them a good wind, blowing firmly through the sky, that, speeding quickly, the dispatch might complete her way above the salt drinking water of the ocean" (B13:L292). It really is with Athena's divine powers and blessings both Telemachus and Odysseus are reunited as dad and child. Athena truly thinks in Telemachus and his people, and brings them nearer as well as her blessings of power and intelligence against the countless trials the gods have put between him, as well as Odysseus and his journey home. With Odysseus she not only gives him advice but also assistance from the forces that stand in front of him. During the field of the slaughter of the suitors, she steps dangerous spears that are aimed at Odysseus (B22: L 268-270). She's a love for Odysseus and his family that only a god can have because of their followers.

Even though she is the goddess of strategy, it never recommended she wants war. Despite the fact that all her quick thinking and struggling would protect her people, Athena never wanted to bring more pain to anyone. This is apparent when following the vicious massacre of the suitors, the groups of the suitors military monitors Odysseus to Laertes' house and story to harm Odysseus when he least desires it. Athena decides to avoid to the assault between the ambitious people. Disguised again as Mentor once again Athena ; " passed down her pacts of peacefulness between both factors for all the years to come" (B24:L599-601). Peacefulness is restored to the palace of Odysseus and Athena's objective is finally complete

Athena is the caretaker of Odysseus and Telemachus. It is with her help Odysseus may become a much better, nobler Homeric hero. Telemachus on the other hand, becomes a man by moving forth on his voyage to find his daddy. Without her drive he would not have experienced the courage to step out of the safeguard of the palace and in to the outdoors sea where his journey leads him. Who has learned what may have occurred to Odysseus and his family got Athena not provided the fantastic assistance that she performed. In many ways, Athena demonstrates several qualities of your hero; strength, intelligence, courage, and the energy to lead. With her divine powers of disguise and strategy, she actually is the protector of the heroes in "The Odyssey".

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