Why Did Athena Help Odysseus? Because Athena is patron goddess of heroes, it is her job to protect Odysseus from danger. Without Athena's help in giving him the idea to grab ahold of a rock, Odysseus' life would have come to an end. She advised him to talk to Nestor, a noble sage in Pylos, then go to Menelaus. Athena interferes with Odysseus whenever it serves her interests to Odysseus shows strong examples of wisdom not only in his thought process, which is exemplified in his words, but also in his action. By this point the hero has been traveling Essentially, Odysseus does the majority of the work, but Athena helps him out by keeping the spears from hitting him. After 20 years from home, Athena believed he deserved to return to his wife Penelope, and argued to save him from Calypsos Isle, where he had been trapped by the goddess as a slave for the past 7 years. She does not merely impart sense and safety to her passive charge, however. Answer (1 of 4): There is a wonderful book on exactly this point. Metis is the key word. Athena turns the hero into an old beggar, even going so far as to shrivel his skin, remove the russet curls (13.456) from his head, and dim the fire in his eyes. It is through her they learn the qualities that define a hero. If you read this book along with the book Oedipus, Philosopher by Jean-Joseph Goux and Catherine Porter She advised him to see his wife and told him about suitors trying to steal her. Answer (1 of 3): Athena and Odysseus have a similar epithet in Odyssey that reveals their wisdom. Athena and Odysseus. It served as a realization of what it takes to be a leader, thus, enhanced his maturity. She had a temple in Expert Answers. As Odysseus entered the city, the bright-eyed goddess herself came up to greet him there and guided him to the kings palace(7.21). Also because he showed piety and gave her prayers and sacrifices. 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. 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. When it comes to granting her fathers release in the Odyssey, Athenas tushing with him help Odysseus. Athena disguises Odysseus as an old man so he can return to his house undercover the next morning When Odysseus is battling the suitors to regain control of his home, he is greatly outnumbered Odysseus son How long did Odysseus fight in the Trojan War? She smooths his path forward and, later, encourages him. Odysseus journey was much of a self-discovery. If Odysseus is alive, wait for another man, but if dead give him a proper funeral and marry Penelope off to another man. Peace is restored to the palace of Odysseus and Athenas mission is finally complete Athena is the caretaker of Odysseus and Telemachus. When Odysseus finally returns to Ithaca, Athena helps him by disguising him so that he will not be recognized by anyone before his plans for revenge on the suitors are ready. When Telemachus arrives at the farm, Eumaeus asks him to take care of the stranger. Athena advised Telemachus to get on a boat and sail to find news of Odysseus. Athena destroyed it once she realized Odysseus was cursed by the other gods The goddess Athena helped many ancient heroes, including Hercules Odysseus, on the other hand, with the help of Athena, disguised himself as a beggar Athena inspires Odysseus for vengeance, Jan Styka With the help of his son, Telemachus, and a faithful swineherd, they devise a plan to take Assignment Type eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. There, she uses her power to make Odysseus appear beautiful even after being on the sea for so many days. Athena occasionally appears to Odysseus in dreams and indirectly helps him through his voyage. Athena also aids in the prevention of a civil war in Ithaca. Calypso, the nymph with the human voice, houses Odysseus on his journey home. Approved by eNotes Editorial Team Ask a tutor For example, when she helps him escape from Poseidons wrath while he is leaving Ogygia, Athena helps him reach the shore of Scheria. Book XXII: Athena appears in the form of Mentor, an old friend of Odysseus, to encourage Odysseus in battle. She then deflects spears cast towards Odysseus and Telemachus. Eurycleia, the nurse in his placae, provides care and support to her superior, Odysseus. She helps him out of many tough situations, including his shipwreck in Book 5 and the mismatched battle of Book 22. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you succeed. Athena preferred Odysseus because he is Athena, being the goddess of wisdom, is drawn to Odysseus not only out of pity, but of his intelligence. Athena knows that Odysseus wants to get back home to Penelope and she wants to help him. She sometimes represented by a statue. The story of the Odysseus and plow : Odysseus found out that Menelaus was going to go get him so he can help fight the show more content The story of the poem takes place when Odysseus, the brave and strategic warrior fought in the Trojan War in Troy for ten years in Ancient Greece. Sure enough, the role of disguise helped Odysseus character develop through humility and understanding, which eventually led the character back to Ithaca, with the aid of the goddess Athena. After more struggle Odysseus makes it to the surface and comes to a Because the Odyssey is told out of chronological order, Athenas intervention on behalf of Odysseus occurs in Book 5. Athena has provided a mist to cover the land so that she can privately alter Odysseus appearance and help him hide his treasure. Imagine that you are a young, powerful king of a thriving Greek kingdom. Her intelligence and wisdom enables her to compromise for his return, eventually persuading Zeus that the young man could safely leave. The desire to see his wife and homeland is a great deal of sympathy for Athena. The gods in Greek mythology were not above having favorites and Early in The Odyssey, Athena appeals to her father, the most powerful of all the gods, for Zeus's support for Odysseus. Note, in the following passages, Athena's obvious devotion to and love for Odysseus: She next urges individuals to accept Odysseus as their supreme ruler. In the Odyssey, how does Athena help Odysseus right after Enotes Athena guided Odysseus home Poseidon, however, hates Odysseus for blinding his son and tries his hardest on multiple occasions to kill Odysseus and his men Throughout the The Odyssey, disguise helped the main character, Odysseus,develop through humility and understanding, which eventually led the The goddess aids in the removal of the suitors familys leader. Answer (1 of 2): She does interfere with Odysseus- almost constantly throughout the Trojan War and then again from part way through his troubled voyage home til he finally reaches Ithaca. Odysseus, king of Ithaka, was also the king of trickery and guile. Athena persuades Zeus to send Hermes with the command to Calypso that she must give up Odysseus. Athena has helped Odysseus throughout his journey so it is no surprise that she is harboring kindness for the hero(7.16). Athena also helps Odysseus in Book 20 of the Odyssey, when he is To Odysseus, Athena is a protector and benefactor. Athena moves the story of The Odyssey along. At the opening of the book, Athena begs her father Zeus to allow her to aid Odysseus, so he can return to his family, after being trapped on Ogygia for a decade. Athena appeals to the gods better senses and plays on their sympathy for Odysseus. She says, My own heart is broken for Odysseus. Athena has provided a mist to cover the land so that she can privately alter Odysseus appearance and help him hide his treasure. She was daughter of Zeus and Metis. In ancient literature, Athena wants to help Odysseus because, for whatever reason, she likes him. Athena and Hera decided to help the Greeks get Helen back. In The Odyssey, Athena is Odysseus patroness, who helps him to solve various difficulties. Athena helps Odysseus to reach safety, and guides him back to Ithaca disguised as a beggar As a name, Athena is fantastic the a-ending and beginning help it fit in with Arianna, Alyssa, etc; the meaning is strong and inspiring; and the namesake is a literal divinity ( Odysseus doesn't want to reveal himself right away, like he did when he blinded Polyphemus Connect to the Literature Bright-eyed Athena, the goddess of strategic warfare, serves as a mentor throughout Odysseus journey to his homeland, Ithaca. The Odyssey is a well-known poem written by a Greek writer Homer and is considered as one of the most ancient masterpieces of literature. As his journey nears its end, however, she begins to take a more personal role in shaping his actions. The Greeks had a greater advantage now that Athena was helping them, because shes the goddess of war. Athena remained fond of Odysseus after the end of the war and followed his journey keenly as he traveled the Greek isles. The Robbery of Palladium by Diomedes and Odysseus by Gaspare Landi, 1783, via Galleria Nazionale, Parma; with Penelope Reunited with Odysseus, by Isaac Taylor, 1806, via the British Museum. To prevent that, she turned him into a Athena doesnt just help Odysseus and his son; she helps to develop them as epic heroes. Telemachus gladly offers to give the stranger clothes and a sword. She helps to prevent conflict and restore harmony. She is eventually free to return home; she is eventually rescued by Zeus. As goddess of wisdom and battle, Athena naturally has a soft spot for the brave and wily Odysseus. Athena helps Odysseus on Scheria by helping Nausicaa to find and to meet him. She didnt have a spouse, and she also didnt have children. This helps Odysseus gain favor with the kings daughter, Nausicaa. Athena transforms Telemachus by helping him become his "father's son". Posted on February 20, 2012 at 12:33 pm (UTC) Ask a tutor Ask a tutor. Wiki User. Also because he showed piety and gave her prayers and sacrifices. He was renowned among his peers for his cunning mind and intelligence. She appreciates Odysseus humane and domestic side, but it is his desire to be with his family that makes her most moved. Analysis. How did Athena help Odysseus and his family. While away, Odysseus faced many challenges at sea. Answer (1 of 2): She does interfere with Odysseus- almost constantly throughout the Trojan War and then again from part way through his troubled voyage home til he finally reaches Ithaca. It is The Wrath of Athena: Gods and Men in the Odyssey by Jenny Strauss Clay. In order to give up Odysseus, Athena convinces Zeus to send Hermes to Calypso with the command. Athena interferes with Odysseus whenever it serves her interests to Athena helped Odysseus because she admired him and he reminded her of herself. So she gets Zeus to have Hermes go and tell Calypso to let Odysseus go. In Homers The Odyssey, Athena helps Odysseus after he escaped from Calypsos island and guides him along his journey. Athena is Odysseus's patroness. These three women can all be compared. Odysseus and Athena. Athena turns the hero into an old beggar, even going so far as to shrivel his skin, remove the russet curls (13.456) from his head, and dim the fire in his eyes. Athena & Odysseus. 6 How did Athena help Odysseus and Telemachus? Athena convinced Zeus to send Hermes with a message to Calypso telling her that she has to let Odysseus leave her island. Athena helped Odysseus because she admired him and he reminded her of herself. When Odysseus arrived at Ithaca, he was in danger of attacking. Athena was the Greek goddess of the wisdom. In this manner, Athena was depicted as a helper to Odysseus and his son Telemachus.