In the end, she inspired Odysseus and Epeios to build a wooden device in the shape of a horse, with which the Greeks gained an entry to the city. Relevance. The notable exception to the distant gods in the Odyssey is Athena. As goddess of wisdom and battle, Athena naturally has a soft spot for the brave and wily Odysseus. There's a dilemma together with your website in chrome, and you may want to check this The browser will be the market leader and a huge component of other people will omit your great writing because of this issue. His bow, which he had left behind when he went to war, had been specially strung in a way only he knew and the suitors were charged with restringing it. Odysseus and Telemachus both return to Ithaca at the same time. that the only way to find out the truth about his return is to go search for While the Trojan War and the Odyssey, both caused by the actions of the gods, weakened the state of Ithaca, the assistance provided by Athena left the country stronger and more stable instead of permanently ruined. Laertes comments that he is pleased to see his son and grandson as near equals in valor. It is with her help Odysseus can become a stronger, nobler Homeric hero. So Athena occasionally appears to Odysseus in dreams and indirectly helps him through his voyage. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. Next, Athena inspires Telemachus to embark on a journey that is the story of leave quickly and silently in the night so as not to awake the suitors who In the Iliad, the gods have prominent and constant roles. Athena helps Odysseus, not only because he prays and gives sacrifice in her honor, but because of his character traits. When their families seek vengeance, Athena forbids escalation of the conflict. Athena says, “My advice to you is this, if you will let me advise you. “Telemachus, you’ll lack neither courage nor sense from this day on.” (Homer In addition to trip planning services, Athena provides Telemachus with social By the end of the Odyssey, Athenaâs intervention has restored the proper relationships between the generations of Ithacan rulers and ensured that the kingdom will remain peaceful and prosperous. Athena controls the winds so that they blow Odysseus to the Phaeacian shore. countrymen-the suitors most of all, pernicious bullies-foil each move I make…” missions. Athena, being the goddess of wisdom, is drawn to Odysseus not only out of pity, but of his intelligence. “You are our messenger, Hermes, sent on our all Odysseus journeys home-the exile must end.” (Homer 153). How important was Athenaâs aid in the Odyssey? “Some of he words you’ll find within yourself, the rest some power Athena acts as catalyst to the poem as well as a guide to Telemachus. Athene goes to the Phaiakian princess Nausikaa in her dreams and, as a friend, advises her to prepare for marriage by washing her linens in the streams. When Poseidon tries to intervene, Athena saves the heroâs life and brings him to those who will help him. Athena also shows her support when she accompanies My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. thanks! Favorite Answer. Athena is the only reason why odysseus is still alive and wanting to do anything in that book! Some select to portray Athena as a mother number towards Odysseus, because of the way she nurtures and carries him. Athena personally petitions her father, Zeus, to allow Odysseus to return home after ten years at sea. Athena serves as a patroness to Odysseus during the Odyssey. If Athena never provided Telemachus and Odysseus with Athena gives to young Telemachus and his father. Divine intervention is often an integral part of ancient epic poetry as seen in Homer's The Odyssey. Athena takes the guise of Mentor, an old friend of the family, to guide Telemachus in his fatherâs absence. Because the Odyssey is told out of chronological order, Athenaâs intervention on behalf of Odysseus occurs in Book 5. An example of direct assistance by Athena includes when she led Odysseus to the palace of the Phaeacian in the disguise of a beggar. The information he collects allows him to formulate a plan for revenge. Much of her aid is not given to Odysseus himself, but to his son Telemachus. This is because Odysseus is a strong and courageous warrior. Peace is restored to the palace of Odysseus and Athena’s mission is finally complete Athena is the caretaker of Odysseus and Telemachus. Announce to the nymph with the lovely braids our fixed decree: We know what he looked like from many a poem, a young man with the first down upon his cheek when youth is loveliest, carrying, … Both former kings restored, Athenaâs guidance of Telemachus ensured that the line of strong Ithacan rulers would continue and the country would not permanently suffer because of its kingâs long absence. on the exact mode of transportation he should use and offers some kind words Athena also played a vital part in Telemakhos's life before the return of his father. Without the goddess, Odysseus may never have made it home to Ithaca, and he certainly would not have regained his throne! Athena implores Zeus to help Odysseus, who was such a kind and just ruler, and is... (full context)...as she says, and Poseidon decides that Odysseus has suffered enough and lets him go. the first five books of the Odyssey. epic. him personally. He needed to blind the cyclops in the eye, so Athena helped him make the Cyclops drunk then … Hermes delivers instructs Calypso that the time has come for her to release Odysseus As his journey nears its end, however, she begins to take a more personal role in shaping his actions. While Athena is the goddess of knowledge, she uses a lack of knowledge to help Odysseus. Because Athena is patron goddess of heroes, it is her job to protect Odysseus from danger. Athena helps warriors make wise choices that will eventually lead to victory. “…a tremendous roller swept him towards the coast where he’d have been She carries out these plans at a time 2 Answers. Odysseus also shows characteristics of strength (which appeals to Athena as goddess of war/wisdom), a “man of many resources”, and takes “accomplishment in word and action”. These tasks included finding a ship and crew, and stocking up provisions. The goddess of wisdom was believed to prioritize strategy in war rather than just brute force. Athena does not just keep knowledge from others, however. When Odysseus returns to Ithaca and needs a disguise in order to gather information without revealing his true identity, Athena makes him over to look like an old beggar, even wrinkling his skin and taking the fire out of his eyes (13.454-460.). She also imparts great knowledge. In Homer 's epic poem, The Odyssey, Athena, the goddess of battles and wisdom, shows favor for the protagonist, Odysseus. i know she helped him defeat the cyclops but what does she specifically tell him? By depriving others of the knowledge of her plans and Odysseusâs arrival, Athena allows the hero to succeed in his quest to return home and enact revenge on the suitors who tormented his wife and son. when Poseidon, the god who Odysseus has angered, is away and cannot counter her While she appears to have softened toward Odysseus, however, she remains at a distance. They are present in many battles and their influence is apparent throughout the Trojan War. Answer Save. journey with newfound vigor. from her plush prison. finding the best sailors for Telemachus’s crew and the best ship for his that bolsters his downtrodden spirit. might try to delay his departure. and their crew will have a smooth departure. It also adds an element of surprise, so they don't recognize him and kill him first. At his daughterâs request, the king of the gods orders Calypso to release Odysseus from her island. She causes a mist to fall around him so that no one will ask him questions and she appears as a young girl carrying a pitcher to lead him. Athena may have prevented Penelope from recognizing her husband, but she did inspire the queen to choose a task for the suitors that only Odysseus would succeed at.