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Athena's Role In The Odyssey Essay

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Without the female characters in The Odyssey, there would be no story. Because women like Athena play such an important role in developing the book. The Odyssey by Homer, written in the 8th century and speaks about the main character Odysseus; a veteran of the Trojan war. He begins on a long journey where he meets many other characters who help him with his overall goal of returning to Ithica after 18 years. Women play a very momentous role in the journey of Odysseus throughout The Odyssey. Including providing much needed help, inspiring them, but also hurting them in some situations, but creating a tough, brave hero in the end. Focusing on one influential woman, Athena helps him the most. Athena aids Odysseus’ success in returning home when she uses her powers to make him appear taller and stronger to win a fight, and to get a boat.
Athena can make Odysseus look any way she wishes, which can help disguise him or make him stronger. Many people know and support “Athena’s work, the …show more content…

For example, Calypso holds him against his will on an island, that is why he has been gone for so long and he cannot return home. Odysseus can be described as “heart set on his wife and his return- Calypso the bewitching nymph, the lustrous goddess, held him back, deep in her arching caverns.”(1.15) Calypso can be an example of how some women hurt the story, but she still has a very influential role, even if it is not positive. Calypso holding Odysseus on the island is at the very beginning of the story, and is the catalyst for the whole adventure to begin.
Overall, women play a very important role in the journey of Odysseus and Telemachus throughout The Odyssey, helping and inspiring them, but hurting them as well. Although The Odyssey might be a little outdated, it's idea of women being important and playing a star role can be still carried through and seen in media

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