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Athena Disguise In The Odyssey

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In The Odyssey, by Homer, Athena influences the lives of Odysseus and his family. In Greek mythology, gods challenge and control mortals. Gods also provide support to mortals and thus, mortals depend and act on behalf of the gods and their decisions. Athena, daughter of Zeus, is the goddess of wisdom, and both Telemachus and Odysseus benefit from her power. Athena possesses the ability to disguise herself and others, and this skill allows her to give advice and guidance. For example, Athena uses her power of disguise to help Telemachus on his journey to find his father. She continues to use this power to disguise Odysseus as a beggar to allow him to reunite with his family and prove his power and worth to Penelope among the suitors. Telemachus and Odysseus are ultimately victorious because of Athena’s power; in fact, Athena is the hero of this epic poem. With Athena’s guidance and help, both Telemachus and Odysseus ultimately prove …show more content…

Using her power of disguise, Athena visits Telemachus and informs him of his father’s whereabouts. Disguised as Mentes, Athena expresses to Telemachus that “great Odysseus is not dead. He’s still alive…” (83). Because of this information, Telemachus feels assured that his father still lives, and searching for him will have a positive outcome. Athena further advises Telemachus how he should proceed with this information and how he should find his father and bring him home. She instructs him to “sail in quest of news of your long-lost father.” (86). Using her disguise, Athena reaches Telemachus and offers him wisdom. Telemachus takes this advice to heart and sets out to find his father. By offering this information about Odysseus, Athena inspires Telemachus. As a result, Telemachus embarks on the search for his father and brings him home, ultimately preventing his mother from marrying one of her

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