Athena influences Princess Nausicaa by appearing to her in a dream and inspiring her to go meet Odysseus and help him. Consider how they are loyal, strong—or weak, hospitable, etc. Athena is confident, practical, clever, a master of disguises, and a great warrior, characteristics she finds reflected in Telemachus. In The Odyssey, written by Homer, Athena particularly favors Odysseus, great kind of Ithaka, and his family. Athena personally petitions her father, Zeus, to allow Odysseus to return home after ten years at sea. What are the challenges that Odysseus had to face on his journey home? Her role as goddess of the womanly arts gets very little attention in The Odyssey. Learn more about the Odyssey. Zeus agreed. Penelope works at the loom all the time but rarely sees Athena, and then usually only in dreams. The The Odyssey quotes below are all either spoken by Athena or refer to Athena. Odysseus also prays to the gods, namely Athena, who beseeches Zeus on his behalf. At first Athena talks to Zeus, they speak about how she pities Odysseus and how he should come home. 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. T h e G o d d e s s A t h e n a i n H o m e r ' s O d y s s e y. Ulysses and Athena. Log in here. ... Athena plays a major role in making sure that Odysseus comes home safely to his home land of Ithaca. Latest answer posted October 10, 2013 at 7:04:36 PM, Latest answer posted November 04, 2013 at 4:44:37 PM, Latest answer posted February 05, 2020 at 6:59:12 AM, Latest answer posted July 01, 2013 at 2:25:48 PM, Latest answer posted September 14, 2013 at 1:01:40 AM. She helps him out of many tough situations, including his shipwreck in Book 5 and the mismatched battle of Book 22. The role of the gods, or singular God in Catholicism, plays a key role, sometimes unspoken, part. In the great epics of this time period, the gods would play an immense role in the lives and fates of mortals. Her exact words were, "My own heart is broken for Odysseus (Homer 3)." 1 She helps him out of many tough situations, including his shipwreck in Book 5 and the mismatched battle of Book 22. ex: “Athena”- “Hope of soldiers””Zeus”- “_____ All provident””Athena”- “Pallas _____” What was Athena’s role in this episode? That the man,Odysseus, should come home. The character of Athena in Homer's iconic poem, 'The Odyssey', is far more than some remote goddess making playthings of frail mortals. She was not only the first goddess who mentioned Odysseus suffering in Calypso’s island, but also the only one who took care of Odysseus all the time during his homecoming journey and revenge in his homeland. In The Odyssey we see in the first book three major gods that make an immediate impact on Odysseus’ journey home. God of the sea. Athena encouraged warriors to train and hone their patience and discipline. Already a member? What's the significance of the way Athena leaves Telemachus (lines 366-373) in The Odyssey by Homer. She was also the goddess of industries and prudent intelligence in war. In the climactic scene of the slaughter of the suers, she really deflects arms aimed at him losing their grade wholly ( B22: L 268-270 ) . Divine intervention is often an integral part of ancient epic poetry as seen in Homer's The Odyssey. Start studying English- The Odyssey pt.4. The goddess Athena begs her father Zeus to allow Odysseus to return home. What significance does Zeus have in The Odyssey by Homer? Athena serves as a patroness to Odysseus during the Odyssey. Who does Odysseus encounter in the Land Of The Dead in Homer's, What is the importance of Athena in Homer's "The Odyssey?". The Odyssey As goddess of wisdom and battle, Athena naturally has a soft spot for the brave and wily Odysseus. Athena is Ulysses' special patron.The bond between them arises from the similarities of their natures; as the Goddess herself puts it in Book 13: We both know tricks, since you are by far the best among all men in counsel and tales, but I among all the Gods have renown for wit (metis) and tricks. Athena uses her role as a goddess to her fullest potential for good. Enjoy eNotes ad-free and cancel anytime. As goddess of wisdom and battle, Athena naturally has a soft spot for the brave and wily Odysseus. Then Athena left Zeus and went to see Telemakhos. Athena appeared in the book Odyssey as a strong supporter of well-known Greek hero Odysseus. The goddess also helps Telemachus escape Ithaca unscathed and visits Penelope in a dream to ease her mind about her son's journey.