Athena Villain

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A villain can be described as someone who does bad things that harm others. Athena the goddess of wisdom and of war is often revered for her bravery in battle and her cunning wits. (“ATHENE MYTHS 3”). However, during the Trojan War, she proved to have a despicable side to her as well. Athena showed her villainous qualities when she helped instigate what is known to be the start of the Trojan War and when she helped Achilles kill his enemy, Hector. Athena was a villain but did not, in fact, start the Trojan War, although, she did play a part in the events leading up to the war-making her part of the underlying cause for it. When three goddesses Athena, Aphrodite, and Hera were given a golden apple and had to decide who was the fairest Zeus order …show more content…

(Day 125). Each goddess offered Paris something in return for the golden apple but Aphrodite’s gift of the most beautiful bride, Helen, he couldn’t resist. (125). Helen was already the wife of Menelaus ruler of Sparta and he did not appreciate Paris abducting her so he declared war on Troy. (125). Not only were the Greeks angry with Paris and his country so were Hera and Athena because Paris failed to give them the golden apple. (Parada). Athena did not directly start the war but it was her spontaneous urge to be the fairest one and to let her competitivity get the best of her that allowed a minor conflict to escalate to a 10-year long war. With that being said once the war had started Athena and Hera both supported the Greeks because Paris was from Troy and they were his enemy from then on out. (Parada). The goddesses showed no mercy towards their enemy, …show more content…

Fighting in a battle is one thing but tricky someone is a completely different story. Hector was standing outside the walls of Troy when Achilles came storming over, Hector tried with every ounce of courage he had to stay and fight but his fear got the best of him and he made a run for safety. (Cartwright) After Hector started running Achilles chased after him all the while the gods watched as Zeus weighed both Achilles and Hector's fate to see who the victor would be. (Grimal 161). The fate was sealed and Athena appeared next to Hector disguised as his brother. (161-2). Hector thought he had someone to back him up so he stopped to face Achilles but when he turned Athena was gone and Achilles killed him. (162). In the Iliad, Homer quotes Athena expressing her hatred for Hector to Hera, “Nothing could please me more than to see that mad career cut short and have him killed on his native soil by Achaean hands” (Parada). Athena unlawfully aided Achilles in killing Hector because he was deceived, and only a god or goddess could create such a disguise. The quarrel was between two men Achilles and Hector and eventually, they would have fought and someone would have won a nobel victory instead of using a spiteful

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