After twenty years, however, Telemachus is grown and his mother, Penelope, is surrounded by would-be suitors. Athena was regarded as the patron and protectress of various cities across Greece, particularly the city of Athens, from which she most likely received her name. Before the journey of Odysseus began, he and the other Greek commanders had earned the ire of the goddess by desecrating her temple in Troy. Athena is an almost constant source of inspiration and assistance in the Odyssey. In the Iliad, the gods have prominent and constant roles. In Book 2 of the Odyssey, how does Athena help Telemachus at the Assembly? She gives Odysseus the plan from there on, on how to make his way up and defeat the outnumbered suitors. While he begins the Odyssey uncertain of how to deal with his mother’s suitors and the threat to his own position, Athena helps him to become more commanding and confident. This alignment is not entirely left to the reader’s interpretation. Further, Odysseus tells Telemachus not to let anyone—not even Penelope (Odysseus's wife and Telemachus's mother)—know that Odysseus has returned or what the plan is. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. In the Odyssey, … What does Eumaeus herd? Odysseus is Poseidon’s enemy, having blinded Poseidon’s Cyclops son, Polyphemus, and Athena and Poseidon share a mutual grudge stemming from when they both vied to become the patron saint of Athens. Odysseus has … Without the goddess, Odysseus may never have made it home to Ithaca, and he certainly would not have regained his throne! She also imparts great knowledge. Why does Athena favor Odysseus in Book 1 of the Odyssey? Start your 48-hour free trial and unlock all the summaries, Q&A, and analyses you need to get better grades now. By guiding Telemachus, Athena helped to make up for the actions of the gods. She gives his father the strength to strike down the leader of the suitors’ families, then commands the people of Ithaca to disperse and accept Odysseus as their returned king. Athena makes Odysseus stronger in preparation for his fight against the suitors. The Nemean Lion: The First Labor of Heracles. Odysseus and Athena Introduction Reading Greek works provides important information about the relationships between gods and humans. On the day the suitors will compete for Penelope’s hand, the goddess assures him that he will not fail. Already a member? What warning does Odysseus give Amphinomus? Athena or Athene, often given the epithet Pallas, is an ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom, handicraft, and warfare who was later syncretized with the Roman goddess Minerva. Athena began their discussion this way" (Homer 331). Odysseus and Telemachus both return to Ithaca at the same time. Much of her aid is not given to Odysseus himself, but to his son Telemachus. He then goes to be reunited with his elderly father even as the families of the suitors move toward revenge. Athena does not like this, so she decides to come up with a plan to help Odysseus and Telemakhos get rid of them. This also causes the suitors to flee. How does Athena help Odysseus in his battle against the suitors? The gods kept Odysseus away from home throughout Telemachus’s childhood, first through the Trojan War and then with Poseidon’s hatred toward him. Was the Griffin a Bird from Greek Mythology? With that as a premise, the father and son devise their plan. What is Eumaeus. ©2021 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, What are 3 examples of times when Odysseus demonstrated epic hero/god like qualities in. Calypso grudgingly complies. He lay on his native soil, and knew it not, since he had been long absent. Athena uses any available and possible ways for Odysseus to meet his son and his wife, Penelope. In Homer 's Odyssey, the title character and his family are supported greatly by goddess Athena throughout the epic. Athena herself tells Odysseus that he is like her because she knows many tricks as well. She serves as a surrogate to Telemachus, giving him the lessons in leadership he would have been taught by Odysseus. Odysseus trusts goddess Athena's plan to get rid of the suitors and having her as his mentor, he is more confident to take down the suitors. She gives his father the strength to strike down the leader of the suitors’ families, then commands the people of Ithaca to disperse and accept Odysseus as their returned king. ATHENA . Moreover, she disguises Odysseus once more as a beggar to exact his revenge on the suitors. The goddess of wisdom was believed to prioritize strategy in war rather than just brute force. Athena was so appreciate that she started to help Odysseus a lot. In Book 22, Odysseus finally reveals himself to the suitors who have plagued his homeland and his household. Odysseus also depends on Athena as him mentor. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. Odysseus trusts goddess Athena's plan to get rid of the suitors and having her as his mentor, he is more confident to take down the suitors. Athena does not just keep knowledge from others, however. When only the supposed beggar managed to string the bow, the battle begins. “Odysseus awoke. He is both a friend and a foe to Odysseus. Reveals herself. It involved him depriving the suitors of all weapons except one only Odysseus was able to use and locking them in a room so they could not escape. It also adds an element of surprise, so they don't recognize him and kill him first. Towards the end of the book when Odysseus and Telemakhos are finally fighting the suitors to get them out, the book says, “At this moment that unmanning thunder cloud, the aegis, Athena’s shield, took form a loft in the great hall” (XXII. They sharpened it over the fire and drew lots to determine who would help their captain lift the resulting stake. Leto was the famous mother of Artemis and Apollo in Greek mythology, but how much do... How were a blind giant and the goddess of the hunt linked? In Book 22 of The Odyssey, why does Odysseus kill the servants? What plan did Odysseus have to escape the cave of the Cyclops? By this point the hero has been traveling for almost a decade and Athena finally intercedes on his behalf. Through this Odysseus gathered information on what is going on in the palace. You’re my companion, someone my own age.” (22, 262-266). Odysseus’ home in Ithaca is overrun with suitors who are trying to win Penelopeia’s hand. Athena helps plot and plan the fall of the suitor's in Odysseus' house. Athena helps Odysseus a final time by preventing a civil war on Ithaca. The suitors follow up Odysseus' request for aid by threatening Mentor (Athena) with death if he fights with Odysseus. She keeps the prince safe against the increasingly dangerous machinations of his mother’s suitors until Odysseus can return. She covers his body in a mist to protect him from the xenia-phobic Phaeacians. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. Makes up a fake story, begs her for help. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. . Who does Odysseus encounter in the Land Of The Dead in Homer's. When the father and son are reunited, she gives them the wisdom and strength to outsmart and overpower the men who have taken over their palace. A prophecy had once foretold that Metis would give birth to a son more powerful than his father, which was the god Zeus. She restores vitality to both him and his father and guides his son in his absence. When Athena appeals to Zeus on behalf of Odysseus, she says: But my heart breaks for Odysseus, that seasoned veteran cursed by fate so long. Athena appeals to Zeus for permission to help Odysseus reach home. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. The fight begins in earnest and Athena makes sure that when all of the suitors throw their spears they miss Odysseus, but Telemachus is grazed on the wrist. How can you . The Odyssey shows the gods as involved, but in a much more indirect way. When the suitors learn Telemachus is gone, they conspire to assassinate him when he returns to Ithaca. While Poseidon’s anger toward Odysseus drives the story, the god himself rarely appears. How important was Athena’s aid in the Odyssey? He also orders Telemachus to keep his presence on Ithaca a secret. Because the Odyssey is told out of chronological order, Athena’s intervention on behalf of Odysseus occurs in Book 5. She urged her father (Zeus) to help Odysseus out, and Zeus sends Hermes to Calypso to tell Calypso to release Odysseus so he can return home . Odysseus is given much trouble by Poseidon, but with the help of Leucothea and Athena, he finally reaches the land of … Athena occasionally appears to Odysseus in dreams and indirectly helps him through his voyage. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. I think it started out like this, but I don't think that Athena never loved him by her heart. Odysseus puts his faith in Athena and Zeus. Once more Athena guides the family, giving courage and wisdom to Penelope to keep her safe. Pigs. Book 14 (optional) Why must Odysseus go first to the forest and to the swineherd's hut rather than to his own palace? While his father performed heroic feats, the prince was personally advised by the goddess. Sign up now, Latest answer posted August 29, 2019 at 1:48:46 AM, Latest answer posted November 07, 2017 at 11:54:18 PM, Latest answer posted March 03, 2018 at 10:05:26 AM, Latest answer posted October 19, 2016 at 8:10:51 AM, Latest answer posted December 02, 2018 at 5:26:45 AM. In this way, the goddess does more than reunite the father and son. Hecate Greek Goddess of Witchcraft : The Complete Guide. As goddess of wisdom and battle, Athena naturally has a soft spot for the brave and wily Odysseus. Athena helps plot and plan the fall of the suitor’s in Odysseus’ house. he needs a plan to escape. According to Homer’s account in the Iliad, Athena was a fierce and ruthless warrior. Eumaeus' house. Remember me, your dear comrade. I’ve done good things for you. Athena doesn’t just help Odysseus and his son; … Essentially, Odysseus does the majority of the work, but Athena helps him out by keeping the spears from hitting him. By and large, they seem to have distanced themselves from the affairs of men. Are you a teacher? 1. When Poseidon, who had a long-standing grudge against the Ithacan king, is absent Athena petitions Zeus to allow Odysseus to return home. . At a signal, the prince is to gather all … Athena- She helped Odysseus when he was trapped on Calypso's island. I think if they are both human, they would become friend and mentor or maybe even husband and wife. In this, she seemed particularly favorable toward Odysseus. The goddess of wisdom and war, Athena, was also considered the patroness of heroes. It is not because of his looking but the brilliant brain. And Odysseus and Telemachus work to regain control of Ithaca from Penelope’s suitors, Athena seems even more intent than the king and prince on enacting revenge. Athena uses all her powers and ties with gods to help Odysseus reach Ithaca. He lay on his native soil, and knew it not, since he had been long absent. The gods play an important role in Homer’s Odyssey, but none is more present or helpful than Athena! For Athena’s personality basic on chapter thirteen, I can define as helpful and lovely, she brave to love a guy who blinded her cousin Polyphemus (son of Poseidon), she doesn’t fear her uncle Poseidon to challenge Poseidon to help Odysseus to return home. Also, she changes him into a beggar in the interest of Odysseus traveling through Ithaca. Remember me, your dear comrade. While she rarely makes herself known early in the travels of Odysseus, by the time he reaches Ithaca she proves to have played a major role in his story. Zeus sends Hermes to Calypso with orders that she release Odysseus. What does Odysseus order Telemachus to do? After seven years with the nymph, Odysseus is sent away on a raft. Athena shows up, once again disguised as Mentor, and Odysseus calls out to her, requesting her aid: “Mentor, help fight off disaster. By depriving others of the knowledge of her plans and Odysseus’s arrival, Athena allows the hero to succeed in his quest to return home and enact revenge on the suitors who tormented his wife and son. (Homer 332). Both parts of her plan involve Telemachus. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. She tells Princess Nausicaa of Phaiacia that she is a careless girl and that she should go to the river to wash her clothes. There were several steps to his plan. (367) Athena shows that she was willing to be active and take time to make plans for others. Once they were eaten, Odysseus … Athena does more for Odysseus than help him regain the throne for himself. When the hero left for the Trojan War, his son Telemachus was an infant. This angers the goddess, but she is still resolved to test Odysseus instead of making sure that he wins the fight outright. . But then Athena added to her plan this stratagem. 330-333). Just as Telemachus has been deprived of his father’s lessons, Laertes has also suffered from Odysseus’s absence. They were able to carry out with his plan because Odysseus was sleeping on the ground next to the dock and they took the cattle with no problem. No matter how poorly the suitors may treat the old beggar, Odysseus and Telemachus are to bide their time and refrain from striking back until the moment is right. Finally, he gets reassured by his father and puts faith in his words, agreeing to play the part in the plot against the suitors. What is Athena and Odysseus' plan? They are present in many battles and their influence is apparent throughout the Trojan War. Odysseus is disguised as a beggar by the goddess Athena, who helps him plot his revenge against the suitors who are courting his wife. The final book of the Odyssey describes the reunion of Odysseus and his son with his own father, the former King Laertes. Athena helps Odysseus a final time by preventing a civil war on Ithaca. How does Athena make sure Odysseus gets clothes and shelter? He washes ashore on the island of Phaecia, where Athena disguises herself as a local girl to guide the king’s daughter to Odysseus. His bow, which he had left behind when he went to war, had been specially strung in a way only he knew and the suitors were charged with restringing it. What does Athena do that is very important after she appears to him as a shepherd? Odysseus may be the human that Athena likes the most. While Athena is the goddess of knowledge, she uses a lack of knowledge to help Odysseus. Athena helps Odysseus by motivating him. This characterization makes Odysseus particularly aligned with Athena. … The plan of Eurylochus was to wait until Odysseus was asleep and off the ship at daybreak and steal all the finest livestock. Although she bids Odysseus to learn who among them is a good man, she decides that none are worth sparing. He ask Athena to "Weave a plan so I can pay them back!" What Were the Hamadryads in Greek Mythology? When Poseidon discovers this he sinks the small vessel, but Odysseus is saved by Athena and a helpful sea nymph. This posed a problem as Metis was already pregnant with their first child. When Odysseus and Penelope are finally reunited, Athena holds back the dawn to give them more time together. Athena may have prevented Penelope from recognizing her husband, but she did inspire the queen to choose a task for the suitors that only Odysseus would succeed at. Athena … “Odysseus awoke. The notable exception to the distant gods in the Odyssey is Athena. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) When their families seek vengeance, Athena forbids escalation of the conflict. Two of the servants, Telemachus, and Athena (disguised as Mentor) fight with Odysseus to kill the suitors. Why does Odysseus conceal his identity? As a goddess of wisdom, war, and weaving, Athena can be … He makes them clean up all of the blood from the dead suitors and then hangs them. He does this by killing Antinous with an arrow through the throat in an extremely graphic and bloody way. A swineherd. The son of Cronus. . Who is Zeus? Odysseus was definitely thankful for all the gods and their contributions to his long journey. Her plea works, and Athena leaves to do two things as part of her plan to bring Odysseus home. Throughout his story, the heroic king is marked by his wit and intelligence. During The Odyssey, what specifically does Athena do to help Telemachus in book 2? The information he collects allows him to formulate a plan for revenge. While the Trojan War and the Odyssey, both caused by the actions of the gods, weakened the state of Ithaca, the assistance provided by Athena left the country stronger and more stable instead of permanently ruined. Also as a god of Greek she doesn’t has the haughtiness of a god, she talks like a human kind. He begins to fight, after refusing to accept a weak apology from Eurymachus, and dispatches Eurymachus as quickly as he did Antinous, with an arrow through the chest. She takes on the role of Mentor, an old woman, to guide Telemachus and help him grow into a confident leader. She instills confidence and strength into Telemachus and helps him in his journey into manhood. Where does Odysseus go once he reaches Ithaca? Athena often helped the heroes of Greek mythology, but she is especially present in the story of Odysseus. Athena also makes Penelope more beautiful and young looking to prepare for her husband’s return. While her influence is indirect during the hero’s travels, she plays a vital role in the events that take place in Ithaca. As his journey nears its end, however, she begins to take a more personal role in shaping his actions. Athena disguises Odysseus as a beggar so he can sneak into his palace, but removes the disguise and makes him appear strong and youthful when his son finally meets him. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, Athena has genuine respect and affection for Odysseus. Athena again pleads to Zeus for Odysseus's release. Athena was the daughter of Metis and Zeus. When Odysseus returned to Ithaca, Athena disguised him by turning him into an old beggar. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. Who Was the First Gorgon in Greek Mythology? She encourages him to speak out against Penelope’s suitors and, believing the men to be a threat, arranges a ship to take Odysseus’s son to safety Pylos and to seek information in Sparta. By the end of the Odyssey, Athena’s intervention has restored the proper relationships between the generations of Ithacan rulers and ensured that the kingdom will remain peaceful and prosperous. How does Odysseus' conversation with Athena in Book 13 of The Odyssey reveal her motive for helping him. The Phaecians take their guest home, where Athena has been busy guiding the lives of those Odysseus cares about. Greek commanders had earned the ire of the goddess. While she was a warrior, however, Athena’s greatest gifts were for those who used cunning and intelligence to win their fights. The goddess of wisdom and war plays a vital role as a mentor, advisor, and source of strength. Log in here. Athena helps Odysseus and Telemachus kill all the wicked men, both striking at foes herself and protecting them from harm. Telemachus is to return to town and mix with the suitors. At his daughter’s request, the king of the gods orders Calypso to release Odysseus from her island. Answer: At first, Telemachus doesn't believe it is possible that he and his father can defeat the suitors, who number more than a hundred best and strongest men from the country. Laertes comments that he is pleased to see his son and grandson as near equals in valor. Why does Odysseus ask Athena for help? Odysseus is disguised as a beggar by the goddess Athena, who helps him plot his revenge against the suitors who are courting his wife. Athena takes the guise of Mentor, an old friend of the family, to guide Telemachus in his father’s absence. She patronizes his family. Odysseus, in disguise, will follow. Odysseus and his men made a plan to escape from Polyphemus before they could all be eaten. (22, 374). Among the giant’s simple belongings they found an enormous cudgel of olive wood. bewail the loss of your combat strength in a war with suitors ,” and she uses her powers to divert the suitors’ arrows from their mark. Zeus, too, does not make himself directly known to the lost hero. The suitors don't immediately realize who he is, until he announces himself and their impending doom. To prevent the prophecy from taking place, Zeus Athena serves as a patroness to Odysseus during the Odyssey. In Ithaca, Athena is even more closely involved. Athena personally petitions her father, Zeus, to allow Odysseus to return home after ten years at sea. Athena takes the role of both protection and wisdom as she not only leads but fights alongside both Odysseus and Telemachus. Further, Athena sided with the Greeks during the Trojan War, and Odysseus is a Greek hero. When Poseidon tries to intervene, Athena saves the hero’s life and brings him to those who will help him. Hide treasures, figure out what to do with suitors. That is where she sees Odysseus and invites him to the palace This was shown when Athena helped Odysseus with a wise plan to win the war with the suitors by changing Odysseus’s appearance. Hereof, what is Athena's plan to help Odysseus? Is there symbolic significance to this situation? Both former kings restored, Athena’s guidance of Telemachus ensured that the line of strong Ithacan rulers would continue and the country would not permanently suffer because of its king’s long absence. He orders Telemachus to stow the suitors' weapons away in a vaulted storeroom. The remaining suitors begin to arm themselves, with help from Melanthious (a servant whose loyalties now belong with the suitors). Finally, Athena ensures that no further violence will spring from the deaths of the suitors. If he didn’t have anyone to help him, he would’ve died or stayed in one place for years. Athena uses words to inspire Odysseus to tap into his ultimate courage and strength, taunting, “Where’s it gone, Odysseus—your power, your fighting heart? With the help of Athena disguised as Mentes, Telemachos finds the courage to confront the suitors. (22, 325-327) Eventually, after she's convinced of Odysseus' worthiness, Athena demonstrates her godhood by flashing her sigil/shield in the air to highlight her backing of Odysseus. Athena enhances Odysseus’ image in order for him to ask for help. Athena shows up, once again disguised as Mentor, and Odysseus calls out to her, requesting her aid: “Mentor, help fight off disaster. The disguises and deceptions she employs to keep both her own identity and that of the hero secret are her most frequent form of assistance. Writing Help How to Write Literary Analysis Glossary of Literary Terms How to Cite This SparkNote Suggested Essay Topics A+ Student Essay Teacher's Handbook; Characters Athena Characters Athena. Moreover, she disguises Odysseus once more as a beggar to exact his revenge on the suitors. While the gods and humans have very related personalities Greek gods have a definite amount of energy which, given the motivation of an arrogant mortal, they are all too willing to control their own entertainment without considering the consequences for others. What are the challenges that Odysseus had to face on his journey home? When Polyphemus returned, he slaughtered two more men.