What Is Athena's Role In The Odyssey

Odysseus respected Athena enough to know that whatever she did, it would be successful and he would not be recognized by his people. If Odysseus didn't trust her, he wouldn't have let her change his

Athena is constantly helping Odysseus throughout the book, and making sure he stays safe. She has no regards for Odysseus’ crew members, as she only cares about Odysseus. He tends to think very highly of himself because he is in the God’s favor. When Odysseus is caught up in a bad situation, he often brushes it off like it’s nothing because he knows that Athena will help him. This is not a good mindset to have, because he is not always sure Athena will swoop in and help him out of his mess. Alongside this, Athena only cares for Odysseus, and she only saves him. His crewmembers are not necessarily favored by the Gods, so they might be hurt because no gods are looking out for them. Athena made Odysseus prove his worth in Book 22 of the Odyssey. She had helped him so much along the way, but she finally decided to test him before he killed all of the suitors. Odysseus was frustrated that he had to work for his help from the gods, as he is usually handed assistance from

As for giving orders, men will see to that, but I most of all: I hold the reins of power in this house.”. Which completely dismisses Penelope’s power in Odysseus’ estate, as well as dismissing her feelings of grief. Penelope is also seen as a temptress when a suitor tells Telemachus that “she’s played it fast and loose with all our hearts, building each man’s hopes- dangling promises, dropping hints to each-but all the while with something else in mind.” (book 2).

Although “The Odyssey” by the Greek poet Homer is very much an epic tale of a man’s heroic quest, women play an incredibly large role. Homer’s epic tale, “The Odyssey” revolves around Ulysses’ quest to return back to his wife, Penelope, so that he may be reunited with her and assume control over his palace, which has been overrun by suitors. Ulysses’ son, Telemachus attempts to regain authority in the presence of the many suitors but finds this difficult and embarks upon his own journey under the guidance of Athena and other deities. The main thrust of Homer’s “The Odyssey” centers upon the adventures of Homer as he endeavors to get back home, which he finally does. He overtakes the suitors through his cunning and the tale ends happily.

Odysseus is considered to have remained faithful to Penelope, a character whose sole existence is reliant on Odysseus, which is an act justified by the readers. That is to say, during his lengthy journey, both Penelope and Odysseus maintained their blind devotion to each other, despite the many temptations they face. However, Penelope was faithful in both body and heart, unlike Odysseus who used his body to overcome obstacles on his journey home. Despite this double standard, Penelope “armed [her]self. against the frauds of men” (Homer 414), an integral part of her character.

Before feminism came to rise, women’s abilities were underestimated by men. This paradox is explored in Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, women played crucial roles, as shown by Circe, Athena and Penelope. Homer’s message throughout the story is that women should not be underestimated. Circe played a crucial role in The Odyssey, she helped Odysseus find his way back home to Ithaca.

Women in the Odyssey have had some very different roles as far as good and bad throughout the story. From being a key factor in Odysseus’s success to just being a nuisance to the other characters. Without some these female impacts Odysseus would have never been successful with his journey. But then again there are a few that he could have done without.

As the request is made of his own mother she simply abides to her son’s wishes, “She bathed now, put on some fresh clothes,” (Homer l 17.60). All throughout the Odyssey Penelope shows her strength to ward off suitors and she manages to live without her husband for years. Remaining faithful the entire time to her husband Odysseus she discloses to her maid, “Eurynome, don’t try to coax me, care for me as you do, to bathe myself, refresh my face with oils. Whatever glow I had died long ago… the gods of Olympus snuffed it out that day my husband sailed away in the hollow ships,” (Homer ll 18.201-206) presenting to the reader that she lost all desire for anyone else when Odysseus’ left for war. This further substantiates the Greek view of how women should remain loyal at all times forsaking others. Lastly Penelope is rewarded for her lasting devotion to her husband with his return. In these characters and their specific roles in the Odyssey the Greeks’ insisted upon their women to accept such roles in their culture of certain hypocrisy when compared to that of their female counterpart. Without Athena’s support Odysseus would have never reached Ithaca and Telemachus would not have been pushed into becoming a man. Without Penelope’s loyalty, devotion, and support Odysseus’ efforts in his journey home would have held little merit of reward. What is most important to note is the male character of Odysseus plays the most prominent role in the epic but

Though Penelope at times seemed to utilize her seducing power, she was much more than that; she was clever--in distinguishing the beggar to be Odysseus (when she laid down the challenge to the men in chapter twenty-one). She showed strength when she confronted the mob of suitors after having heard that they were plotting on Telemachus.

Athena knows that she does not have the ability to save Odysseus alone, so she depends on Zeus’s help. Athena works around to be the peacemaker between Odysseus and Poseidon. She tries not to go against Poseidon and his works by disguising herself and helping Odysseus in a different way. With the help of Zeus, Athena avoids conflict with Poseidon while benefitting

It is shown many times throughout the story that Penelope is a very loyal woman. An obvious example of this is how she waits for Odysseus to return. Odysseus acknowledges this when he says:” Who else in the world would keep aloof as you do from her husband if he returned to her from years of

Sheryl Sandberg once said, “We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women's voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.” The Odyssey incorporates an epic adventure with family drama. The book is staged in ancient Greece 20 years after the trojan war. The Odyssey is narrated by Homer, the first person to write down the adventures of Odysseus. The epic poem focuses on Odysseus’s journey home and what is happening to his family in Ithaca. Overall The Odyssey is a journey about gender stereotypes and how some women defy those gender stereotypes. Homer uses many traits of characters to address this everyday life topic. He specifically Athena’s wisdom, Circe’s strength, and Penelope’s cleverness to convey the theme though gender stereotypes often elevate men, women have prized traits as well.

In various encounters throughout the book, Athena, the goddess of wisdom influences the lives of Odysseus’s family in order to improve their fate due to her favoritism for the persistent mariner attempting to return home and respect of his cleverness. Her preference to Odysseus is seen in the beginning of Book 1 stating to her father, Zeus that she is concerned of the whereabouts of Odysseus and pleads for support to deliver him

            There were far more restrictions placed on the women of the ancient world than on the men.  To many, this may appear to be an obvious fact.  However, the comparison of women to men in the Odyssey does not show such a discrepancy.  The women created by Homer had certain characteristics that set them apart from ordinary women.  Penelope was a woman who did not give in to the demands of her surroundings.  She suffered throughout the twenty year absence of her husband, Odysseus.  She maintained her dignity and her chastity through her refusal of the hoards of suitors that flocked to her home. Penelope represents the ideal woman for balancing her refusals of marriage and the preservation of her respect.  When ready to address her suitors, Eurymachus, a suitor himself, speaks out from the crowd in praise of Penelope.  He states, "Ah, daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope . . . You surpass all women in build and beauty, refined and steady mind" (18. 276,280).  The acts of Penelope would not have been allowed of an ordinary woman of those times.  Her loyalty to Odysseus was unflagging and quite contrary to Clytaemestra's loyalty, another character in the Odyssey, though she is never mentioned by name.

Penelope and the maids have contradicting personalities, which is one of the highlights of the epic poem. Penelope’s nature is that she is strong, independent, and does not give in to their constant woo, whereas the maids bring dishonor to the royal family by prejudicing Odysseus in his beggar outfit, and sleeping with the suitors. Penelope is originally depicted as weak and frail, however, this is a ploy for her primary intentions. The suitors had approached Penelope, after years of Odysseus being away at war, and finding his way back home. Eventually, they decided that one should secure the king’s throne of Ithaca, and become Penelope’s husband. Her actions are shown as cunning and manipulative, “‘There she was all day long, working away at the great web; but at night she used to unravel it by