Athena Research Paper Odysseus’ continued survival in The Odyssey is an incredible feat, but much of it can be attributed to the Greek goddess, Athena. Athena is a well-known and revered Greek goddess, and is a major hero throughout The Odyssey. Athena is a very powerful, instrumental woman who uses her powers to help those in need, including Odysseus. Athena, the pantheon of Greek mythology, contributes immensely to Odysseus’ journey.
Thus, meaning that they are not like the sirens or the Amazons who seduce men or live for battle and war. But these goddesses were born from Zeus and practically born into the throne and the role they were given. The Goddesses mainly stood for the fertility of women and the sign of life. “Considering their limited role in actual society, there is a surprisingly strong cast of female characters in Greek religion and mythology. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and patron of Athens stands out as a powerful figure blessed with intelligence, courage and honour.
In the first book of the Odyssey, women, mainly the goddesses, played different roles during Odysseus’ adventure to return home to his wife Penelope and son Telemachus. Other than the Muse from the beginning of Book I that told the story of Odysseus that led to him and his crew being captured with Calypso who posed as seductive and predatorily toward him and his men, Athena, Goddess of Wisdom had played a big role in the story. For example, most gods have their own opinions and tend on pitying mortals for their actions however, I felt like Athena had the sense of helping Odysseus get back to his home of Ithaca. She spoke to her father Zeus about Odysseus: “But my heart breaks for Odysseus, that seasoned veteran cursed by fate so long far from his loved ones still, he suffers torments off on a wave-washed island rising at the center of the seas” (Book I, 57-60).
Athena, from the root Athens, is the Greek virgin Goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. Athena is a interesting goddess who has a peculiar family history, many interesting symbols and representations, and some legendary stories. Athena is the daughter of Zeus and Metis. Zeus had many children, and Athena’s siblings include: Ares, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Hermes, and Dionysus. Athena was Zeus’ favorite child.
Athena is a major character throughout the book of The Odyssey and is known as the goddess of wisdom and battle. Throughout the course of the book, it is evident that Athena has a weak spot for the main character, Odysseus. Odysseus is trying to return home after the Trojan War, as the other Greek hero’s have already done, however he faces multiple challenges a long the way. Fortunately, for Odysseus, Athena was there to guide him through a few of these troubling situations.
Athena, being a goddess and the daughter of Zeus, has a lot of power. She right away uses this power to help Odysseus. At the beginning of the epic poem, Athena tells her father, Zeus: “‘But my heart breaks for Odysseus, that seasoned veteran cursed by fate so long-far from his loved ones still,’” (1.57-59). Athena helps by showing sympathy to Odysseus and asking her powerful father, Zeus, to assist Odysseus.
In The Odyssey, by Homer, Athena influences the lives of Odysseus and his family. In Greek mythology, gods challenge and control mortals. Gods also provide support to mortals and thus, mortals depend and act on behalf of the gods and their decisions. Athena, daughter of Zeus, is the goddess of wisdom, and both Telemachus and Odysseus benefit from her power. Athena possesses the ability to disguise herself and others, and this skill allows her to give advice and guidance.
Even though, a goddess could have more beneficial, effective, and overall stronger capabilities. She will always be lower in the hierarchy because she is a woman. Men throughout history as well as the Odyssey are displayed as stronger because of their physical appearance, smarter, and overall seen as superior. Zeus is seen as the most powerful among all the Olympians. Since, Ancient Greek values, value masculine power more than feminine power.
Lotus-eaters, Polyphemus, sirens and suitors were all slain and outwitted by Odysseus, King of Ithaca and victorious fighter in the trojan war, but no one ever realizes that Odysseus could never have completed his trials without the help of goddesses, Athena and Circe. Homer’s famous epic, The Odyssey although thousands of years old shows a masculine-feminine balance through the imperative involvement of Athena and Circe in Odysseus' return home. The Odyssey tells the tale of the strong, godlike Odysseus on his voyage home from battle. What people don’t focus on are the women in his life like, Athena and Circe that give him the capability to endure a threatened homelife and the long journey home.
The Epic Battle Between Link and Athena! What defines a hero? Is it the way they are born, the way they act or, the way they look?Athena appears to be the goddess of war and link is a very important character from a game called legend of zelda. Athene from the Odyssey is a great goddess but link from the Legend of Zelda makes a better hero than Athena will ever be.
Teenagers know all, but do they? From experiences to knowledge, it is fact that the more years you have spent on this planet the wiser you are. Arguably the person you become is a little glimpse in who your parents are and how they raise you. In these novels, poems and plays, character’s personality’s are embodied in accordance to how strong figures play a role in their everyday life. In the Odyssey, Athena disguises herself as mentes so she can provide Telemachus with her wisdom and truthfulness so he can grow into a mature young man filled with courageousness and bravery.
Athena is known as the goddess of war. Odysseus was aided by her ideas on how to regain power through her tactical skills. The fact that the goddess warrior was on his side through the journey home, reclaiming his land, and killing the suitors was a huge advantage. Athena is very intelligent in how she strategizes and won wars in the past. Some may argue that Odysseus is the real hero but there were many times throughout The Odyssey where he needed Athena’s protection and input of logical ideas.
In the 17th century, Roman and Greek ideology was triumphed due to several conflicts with the catholic church. The catholic church provided its own set of beliefs and anyone who deemed different was morally wrong. Priests were receiving money by promising people a place in heaven. Therefore, priests were known to be tremendously corrupt. As a result of their corruptive manners, the 95 thesis provided by Martin Luther along with the uprising of the middle class convinced people to expose themselves to different religious beliefs.
I would have liked to be an ancient Greek if I were a male citizen. In Greece, men could vote, run for office and participate in daily life. Also, Greek men also received proper education and education is very important to me. Also, men could participate in plays. I really enjoy acting and would like to do that.
She is portrayed as the average Greek woman, but in reality is very cunning. Though both these women are two different characters, their roles are similar, and they both are equally powerful. They are cunning; teach Xenia; develop Odysseus’ character; and an important role in their families. Athena is the cunning Goddess who guides Odysseus back to Ithaca for his family and countrymen without letting him know her reality – she disguises herself every now and then to help him by testing him and his knowledge.
