Athena: Plot Twister In The Odyssey, Athena is the most influential god and does a lot to change the story. If it weren’t for her, the book would be completely different and probably about Ulysses’s tragic death when he was on his way home instead of him making it home and slaying the suitors. In the chapter, Of What Happened in Ithaca, Athena appeared in the story in the form of Mentes and told Telemachus that he should go seek out his father. “Then said Mentes: “It is indeed time that Ulysses should come back and put an end to such doings. But it is time also that you should do something for yourself. Now listen to me. First call the people of Ithaca to an Assembly…” Athena continues to explain how Telemachus should find his father. This did not necessarily help Ulysses get back home, but it still had an effect on the plot. It was still a very important trip because Telemachus learned a lot about his father’s past. This was good because when Ulysses did finally get to Ithaca, they weren’t complete strangers and Telemachus knew him a little better. A small but very essential detail was on “pg. 81” when Athena “poured sleep” on to Ulysses’s eyes the night before he killed the suitors. It may not sound important, but it had said that he couldn’t sleep and the suitors would have had a much better …show more content…
If she hadn’t changed the form of Ulysses, he would not have been able to sneak into Ithaca and hide his identity until it was time to reveal himself and kill the suitors. Penelope and the others would also know that it was him before it was time and his plan would have failed. This is the most important thing that Athena did. It is an essential part of the story because for the last eleven chapters, Ulysses hides under the form of the beggar. She also makes Penelope taller and more beautiful, but the only effect that makes is the suitors noticing and telling her how beautiful she