Why Is Athena Important In The Odyssey

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. She ultimately helps him by persuading Zeus to convince Calypso to free Odysseus, disguises herself several times in order to aid Odysseus and Telemachus, helps transform Odysseus a few times, and ultimately reunites Odysseus with his family. To investigate the history of Athena, it is important to know she

While this is happening, Athena convinces Telemachus to return home, but tells him to stay with the swineherd for a night to evade the suitors’ plot of killing him (Homer 1142). This sets up the reconciliation of the father and son, because Odysseus was staying with the swineherd as well. Athena urged Odysseus to tell his son it was really him, and she transforms himself into his younger self to prove to Telemachus that he is really his long-lost father (Homer 1145). This was a very emotional time for the both of them, and it took Telemachus a while to process that this was Odysseus, “Then, throwing his arms around this marvel of a father Telemachus began to weep… So helplessly they cried, pouring out tears, and might have gone on weeping so till sundown” (Homer 1147). This led to Odysseus and Telemachus preparing for the archery contest, and they couldn’t have done it without the intercession of Athena. In essence, Athena transformed Odysseus several times to reconcile him with his son, and gave them the opportunity to conquer the suitors in the archery contest. Finally, Athena resolves the entire story by returning Odysseus safely home and reuniting him with his family. While Odysseus has been struggling with the many obstacles he faced on his journey home, his wife Penelope was losing hope of the possibility of him ever returning home.

She was constantly intertwined throughout the plot of the story, and was a constant source of aid for Odysseus. Without her help, Odysseus would still be stuck in captivity on Calypso’s island, and would never have the opportunity to embark on his journey home. Athena and Odysseus are very similar in many aspects, because they both possess heroic characteristics and are extremely cunning and clever. Athena not only impacted and helped Odysseus, but she also changed and helped Telemachus and Penelope. She instilled confidence and bravery into Telemachus, who was without his father for the majority of his life. Additionally, she helped Penelope in protecting herself against the suitors. Ultimately, Athena was a huge contribution to The Odyssey, and Odysseus’ survival would not be possible