In The Odyssey of Homer by Allen Mandelbaum, Odysseus, king of Ithaca, is struggling to return home after fighting in the Trojan War. On his way home, Odysseus faces with a series of challenges, assisted by goddess Athena throughout the journey, before he can return to his wife and son. This epic develops the theme that the choices a man makes through free will, do not directly determine his fate because ultimately only the gods determine it, whose opinions are influenced by mans’ choices in free will.
Athena plays the biggest role in effecting Odysseus’ fate, as she helps him both directly and indirectly. One indirect example of how Athena helps Odysseus is Penelope’s obligation to deal with the suitors. Athena assists Penelope in how
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she “sought / to have the wise Penelope entrance / her suitors’ hearts and, too, win more respect” by enhancing her overall beauty as well (Homer, Odyssey 18.137-164).
This shows how involved Athena is in wanting Odysseus to succeed, providing characterization, and her goal of Odysseus’ success. This also suggests characterization of Penelope, making her appear as if she falls short without help from the gods. This is actually ironic because the rest of The Odyssey depicts Penelope as a strong woman that is not lacking any physical beauty or in need of divine intervention because she is wise and cunning like her husband. Another instance in which Athena assists Odysseus is while she covers Odysseus in a mist when he returns to Ithaca. She “touched him with her wand” and Odysseus was given the guise of “an old man’s flesh” (Homer, Odyssey 13.429-440). Ironically, the mist covers Odysseus from the people and land he knows the best. When Odysseus, seen by others as an outsider, this allows him to see the reality of his broken kingdom because he can look from an outsiders’ perspective, which he would not have been able to see without Athena guising him. One of the best examples of how Athena assists Odysseus to secure her desired fate for him is when she helped him in the guise of Mentor, in the battle with the suitors. Medon says, “Odysseus / did not
devise his plot without the help / of the undying gods” (Homer, Odysseus 24.440-469). Medon was insightful when he said this, explaining what just happened and how Odysseus has again benefitted from Athena’s assistance. Throughout the epic, Homer uses the juxtaposition of Medon and the suitors to draw from their differences and prove the poor relationship taken advantage of by both parties. Medon remains loyal to Odysseus when he is away, while the suitors receive poetic justice and meet their death and Medon does not. Medon does is rewarded with life as he has stayed respectful of Odysseus and his property. Because Medon remained respectful and trustworthy throughout Odysseus’ voyage, he is a trusted character from the reader’s perspective, making him a reliable source. The other gods also play a significant role in what Odysseus’ fate is as Odysseus’ decisions through free will often taint their opinions. One example of this is when Odysseus and his crew have escaped the Cyclops Polythemus. Once they escape Polythemus prays to his father Poseidon, that “if his fate / must have him see his dear ones once again… let him struggle back” and once Odysseus reaches home “let him meet grief” referring to how Odysseus would have to deal with the suitors (Homer, Odyssey 9.526-555). This shows how Poseidon and Polythemus are working against Odysseus, a big reason why Athena is assisting Odysseus at the extent she is. This quote’s negative tone shows Polythemus’ already negative outlook on Odysseus. This is understandable after what Odysseus has done to seal his fate, but also shows how the gods act on their own, mixing their personal vengeances in situations, directly having an effect on Odysseus’ fate in this example. Poseidon also works against Odysseus’ favor when he “smashed my [Odysseus] ship” and “my men, escaped the steep descent to death” (Homer, Odyssey 9.284-313). The repetition of near death experiences become significant for Odysseus because every time an experience happens, the point that the gods (specifically Athena and Zeus) are working in his favor, assisting him, becomes more prominent and profound. This proves Odysseus would not be able to escape death repeatedly without divine assistance or protection on his journey back to Ithaca. Along with Athena, Zeus plays one of the most significant roles in getting Odysseus home, shown when Hermes persuades Calypso to let Odysseus off her island. Hermes, sent by Zeus, says, “Zeus would have you send him home at once: / his fate is not to die here, far from friends— / he is to see his dear ones once again / his high-roofed house, return to his own land” (Homer, Odyssey 5.90-122). The significance of this quote coming from Hermes is that it provides characterization for Zeus. Showing not only how he was persuaded by Athena to help Odysseus, but most importantly to show that he is on Odysseus’ side for him to return home and see his family once again. This also shows irony because Zeus is the reason Odysseus is stranded on Calypso’s island in the first place, but now has changed his mind (with the tenacious persuasion of Athena) therefore changing Odysseus’ fate, The divine world as a whole, affects Odysseus and his struggles greatly on his way return trip home. Although the epic portrays Odysseus as a noble and heroic character, he would not be without the gods’ intervention. Gods change his fate and influence him in various was one could say the majority of his achievements should credit the gods. The Odyssey depicts the struggle Odysseus has and his perseverance through many shortcomings with the assistance of the gods. Essentially this emphasizes the lesson of how one should never lose faith and give up through many difficulties, but to always push forward and persevere when life presents you with obstacles.
Throughout literature characters have relied upon entities greater then themselves to furnish them with aid as they meet the many challenges they must face. The Odyssey is a tale of Odysseus’ epic journey and the many obstacles that bar his return home. But Odysseus is not alone in this struggle and receives aid from many gods, especially the clear-eyed goddess Athena. There are times when Odysseus beseeches the gods for aid, but other times he is too foolhardy to receive aid from even the immortal gods. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus’ journey revolves around the cyclical phases of his dependence, independence and his return to reliance upon the gods’ aid.
Athena aided Ody in his journey home by providing guidance and advice on difficult obstacles. She gives Odysseus a lot of advice on how to handle perilous obstacles. For example, Athena tells Odysseus to go home in a disguise. This is the reason that she transforms Odysseus back into a poor, shriveled beggar from a godlike man. The new disguise allows Odysseus to get home
The epic poem, The Odyssey, by Homer, is about the events that happen after The Iliad. It tells the story of Odysseus and his journey home from the Trojan War. Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, encounters forces that are external and internal. These forces prevent him from returning to his homeland and achieving nostos. Although many different forces impact Odysseus’ journey home, internal forces such as recklessness and temptations hinder Odysseus and his crew from their homecoming far more greatly than external forces.
In every journey the hero also has a mentor. In this story Athena, the gray-eyed goddess of wisdom, has taken on this role for both Odysseus and Telemachus. Athena was by Odysseus’ side as a guide for much of the beginning of his Journey. Athena also is a guide to Odysseus when he’s not even aware o...
In book 9 of The Odyssey, written by Homer, Odysseus was forced to make many critically important decisions. Although he made some wise decisions that portrayed his leader-like characteristics, many of his choices were poor ones that led to more difficulty along the journey. When Odysseus and his men entered the cave, his men wanted to raid Polyphemus’ cheese stores, and then return for the flocks. However, Odysseus was irrational and greedy, and told the Phaeacians this: “But I would not give way...not until I saw him, saw what gift’s he’d give” (9.256-58). By waiting for the lawless Cyclops to come back and grant the soldiers gifts, he and his men were put in danger, since Polyphemus was not friendly, nor was he willing to give them anything, and
...o all guests saved Odysseus and helped him return home to his wife, son, and kingdom. Even though people from many different kingdoms and islands took Odysseus in their home and showed him great kindness on his return home, the individual who helped him most was the goddess Athena. In many occasions Athena assisted Odysseus. One such example is when Odysseus was fighting of the suitors and they threw spears at him. "Re-forming, the suitors threw again with all their strength, but Athena turned their shots, or all but two (p 566)." Another instance which Athena aided Odysseus was when she disguised him as a beggar on his arrival to his homeland. "Would even you have guessed that I am Pallas Athena, daughter of Zeus, I that am always with you in times of trial, a shield to you in battle (p 444)." "Your goddess-guardian to the end in all your trials (p 539)."
“Our life’s journey of self-discovery is not a straight-line rise from one level of consciousness to another. Instead, it is a series of steep climbs, and flat plateaus, then further climbs. Even though we all approach the journey from different directions, certain of the journey’s characteristics are common for all of us.” Author Stuart Wilde’s impression of journeys and their shared commonalities supports the claim that all journeys have a motive and an outcome. In the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus sets off to defeat Troy, leaving his wife and child behind. After accomplishing his goal, Odysseus faces many problems while trying to return him and his crew back home to Ithaca. Similar to Odysseus’s physical journey, the goal in
Homer’s The Odyssey, a magnificent story of lust, deceit, greed, and heroism, still fascinates scholars and casual readers alike today in the same way it fascinated its audience at the time it was written. The Odyssey, a journey of determination, patience, and virtue, tells the tail of Odysseus, the main character, on his voyage home to Ithaka after the end of the Trojan War. Odysseus goes through many unforeseen trials and tribulations, which exemplify his character. During these different happenings, Odysseus makes decisions that do not correspond to his character.
A female character always aids an epic hero, and Odysseus is no exception. Near the end of his travels, Athena feels sorry for him and decides to assist him and let him go home, and once he arrives, she helps him kill the suitors that plague his house. “That left the great Odysseus waiting in his hall as Athena helped him plot the slaughter of the suitors” (Fagles 390). Not only is this assistance by a woman, and a sure sign of an epic hero, but also a goddess assists him, and only those worthy enough can be helped by the Immortal. Odysseus is also aided and told how to get home by the Goddess Circe. “You must travel down to the House Of The Dead and the awesome one, Persephone, there to consult the ghost of Tiresias, seer of Thebes” (Fagles 245). This is the same person who tried to tempt him, but she realizes he wont stay and decides to help him instead.
The ancient Greeks have brought upon numerous ideas, inventions, and stories to the world. Greek mythology influences modern day literature and life. The Odyssey is an epic poem written by Homer, which tells the story of Odysseus's journey home after the Trojan War. Odysseus does not achieve his goal of reaching home so easily; monsters and gods come in his way and hinder him. The Odyssey expresses Greek values of hospitality from the customs of Ithaca, humility from Odysseus’s reform, and loyalty from Odysseus’s family.
Athena is the goddess everyone wants to have as guardian for his life. She went against her uncle Poseidon to fight for her Odysseus. At one point, we can even think that Athena is also in love to Odysseus because she has never him down. But the real truth is Athena is an amazing goddess who protect Odysseus no matter what because this is the Love she has for him
Some could argue she relates to Penelope, and provides protection for her household throughout the years. Others may say she is enamored with Odysseus because of their related character traits. Athena takes on the motherly role of watching over both Telemachus and Odysseus. She monitors both of the men’s journeys, and allows them to go through tribulations in order to grow emotionally and spiritually. Brian Lower, a literature professor from Union College, wrote,” Athena allows Odysseus to experience the storm, but not die.
Once Odysseus reached the underworld, Teiresias clearly showed that Odysseus's fate is predetermined. Odysseus went to the underworld to ask Teiresias how to get back home. Before Teiresias tells him the way home, he says,”I think you will not escape the Shaker of the Earth, who holds a grudge against you in his heart...still you might come back”(XI101-104) If Poseidon, the Shaker of the Earth, decides he does not want Odysseus to return home, then he won't. While some might say that even though Teiresias said that, Odysseus still made his way home. However, Odysseus tries to make it up to Poseidon in many ways which was just enough to break that grudge and make Poseidon let him go home. Teiresias then reassures him about his fate when he says,”if you do harm them, then I testify to the destruction of your ship and your companions.”(book XI line 113-114) Throughout the next couple of episodes, Odysseus tries making it up to Poseidon, given the knowledge by Teiresias that Poseidon has a grudge against Odysseus.
Oblivious to Odysseus, however, is that Athena personally interacts with him under a disguise of a shepherd, silently helping him without awareness that the great goddess is behind the elaborate scheme to get him home. This shows that women possess a power that can help people out during a dire situation without their knowledge that they're being helped out by a woman, and in terms of helping out, it can be similar to what Athena is going to do by helping Odysseus go incognito. In a similar case, Odysseus is ensnared in Ogygia, and it was thanks to Athena's dogmatic pleas that convinces Zeus to free Odysseus from Calypso's confinement. Odysseus is insensible to Athena's major contribution that results in his ultimate escape from an obstacle preventing him from arriving home in Ithaca. Being a woman, Athena's assistance without Odysseus' awareness plays a major part in the part, supporting the evidential fact that woman possesses great talents in helping others without acknowledgement to their
Both Athena and Penelope had their own special relationship with Odysseus. First of all, they were both an essential part of his journey.