The Influence Of Athena In The Odyssey

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Athena’s Positive Influence on Odysseus’ Journey Home

Athena was gifted with wisdom and beauty from her father, Zeus. She had a drastic impact on Odysseus’ journey home. In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus has a very strong mind and lots of confidence, though he still requires assistance in accomplishing his long-term goal of returning home. His is destined to return to Ithaka and reunite with his long-lost son, Telemakhos. He acquires aid from the goddess of Wisdom and War Strategy, Athena. She is Odysseus’ “guardian goddess” and has always stood by his side to protect him. In Homer’s The Odyssey Athena helps him by communicating with other individuals, by steering Telemakhos towards Odysseus, and using her special ability to disguise herself and others in order to give Odysseus a helping hand throughout his journey back to his homeland. Athena is a large asset to Odysseus’ journey. Throughout the plot, Athena uses many other individuals and the information that they withhold in order to help her with her mission of bringing Odysseus back to where he belongs, Ithaka. In Book V, Athena begs Zeus to let Odysseus free from the island of Kalypso. After Athena begs for Odysseus to be set free, Zeus gives in and orders the Phaiakians to send him home, “Send him home, …show more content…

Athena goes to great lengths in order to protect Odysseus and bring him back home to Ithika, especially for him to reunite with his son, Telemakhos. Athena communicates with other important individuals, uses her unique ability of being able to disguise anyone as whoever (or whatever) they need to be, and helps drive Telemakhos and Odysseus towards each other; she does all of that so Odysseus would return to his homeland, and reunify with his son, Telemakhos. For her whole life, Athena has been Odysseus’ protector and she always tries to do what she thinks is best for him; she will continue to do so for the rest of their

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