This essay will set up that, whereas Odysseus uses prevarications and disguises to remain unnoticed and put to death his retribution without hinderance, Athena does so to rush Odysseus ‘ return to Ithaca and steer immature Telemachus in his actions. We must acknowledge that Odysseus and Athena are two really close characters in the gambit of “ Odyssey ” , largely because Athena is Odysseus ‘ frequenter in his journeys and helps him to accomplish his retribution on Penelope ‘s suers and reconstruct his Lordship. Therefore, it is rather difficult to pull a line between the prevarications and actions of Athena and Odysseus, really frequently they are so intermingled to organize a integrity.
When Odysseus encounters Athena ( disguised as a amah ) near the metropolis of Alcinous, he did non uncover his name, to her he is “ A deplorable alien, and of all unknown! ” ( 7. 34 ) . Then he is led by her, unnoticed in the Godhead mist, to the outskirts of the metropolis.
On his reaching to the shores, where Polypheme lived, guarding his flock, Odysseus ordered most of his crew to guard the ship. Having done this, he took 20 of his work forces and went to look into the Polypheme ‘s cave-dwelling. When they came to the cave, they were asked of their beginning by Polypheme himself. Not wishing to uncover the truth about himself and his work forces, Odysseus lies to Polypheme, stating that these 20s work forces with him were the lone lasting work forces. “ Behold the relics of the Greek train ” ( 9. 318 ) says Odysseus. But despicable Cyclopes denies the rites of cordial reception, stating that Zeus has no power over the sort of Cyclopss and trapped Odysseus and his comrades in the cave, each twenty-four hours devouring two of them. They give him a good part of vine, stating it is a blessing to win their freedom. Polypheme drinks the vine and hides fast asleep, while Odysseus and his adult male fix the lance they made before and stick out the lone Cyclops ‘s oculus. Before that happen, Odysseus lies to his unkind host about his name. He says: “ ‘Thy promised blessing, O Cyclop! now I claim, And plead my rubric ; Noman is my name ” ( 9. 431-432 ) . And when Polypheme is asked by those of his sort who hurt him, he answers: “ ” Friends, Noman kills me ” ( 9. 485 ) , the other Cyclopss advise him to pray Zeus or their male parent Poseidon.
When, helped by Phaiakians, Odysseus eventually reaches Ithaca, he is non cognizant that he is eventually at place. Merely Athena, in camouflage of a “ vernal boyfriend ” , reveals to him his true location. Even now he is non uncovering his true individuality, to Athena he lies that he came “ aˆ¦from Crete, my native dirt, I came, Self-banished thence ” ( 13. 309-310 ) . Then Athena reveals her true signifier and congratulationss Odysseus for he is still “ In utile trade successfully refined! Artful in address, in action, and in head ” ( 13. 335-336 ) . With the aid of Athena, Odysseus is transformed into an old roamer. In this camouflage he goes to the house of Eumaios and recommends himself as an old faithful retainer and general of Cretan Godhead Castor Hylacides. He claims to hold been at Troy and so at an expedition to Egypt, where he was taken captive but so released and served at tribunal of Egyptian male monarch. Then he claims to be invited by a false Phoenician, who sold him for a slave: “ With crafty art a alien to bewray, And sell to bondage in a foreign land ” ( 14. 328-329 ) . But he was lucky that the plagiarist ‘s ship was scorched by Zeus ‘ bolt and he managed to make the Thespotia ‘s shores. Then he wandered to see Odysseus from Ithaca as a adult male of similar religion.
To Penelope Odysseus is recommended like a roamer from Crete, Aethon. During his long talk with the Queen, he is asked to define Odysseus image, when he last saw him. Odysseus predicts his ain return to natal shores – “ In the following month renews her bleached ebb Ulysses will asseverate his rightful reign ” ( 19. 354-355 ) . Penelope is thankful for his anticipation and promises him whatever he wishes if his prognostication proves to be true. He merely reveals his individuality to Penelope after the bending of Odysseus bow in Book Twenty One.
Athena decides to fall to the isle of Ithaca and steer the way of Odyssey ‘s boy Telemachus. For that intent she is disguised as Menthes, an old friend of Odyssey and the male monarch of Taphian race. As Mentes, she pretends that she came to recognize Odyssey on his return from Trojan war and his long hazards at sea. To hearten Telemachus up, Athena assures him that odyssey is alive and predicts that he shall shortly return with “ Each manus enormous with a audacious spearaˆ¦ ” ( 1. 333 ) . In the sense of “ true or untrue ” , Athena ‘s prevarications in camouflage of Mentes were non truly lies. She merely inspired and guided immature Telemachus, giving him hope and due class of action.
In Book Two, Athena takes a form of Mentor ( Odysseus old friend ) to fix the ship for Telemachus ‘ journey to Pylos and Sparta. She praises his wisdom and his and his male parent ‘s courage her address: “ Were non wise boies descendent of the wise, And did non heroes from brave heroes lift ” ( 2. 315-316 ) . With this, she secures his hesitating head on the due class of action, foretold by Zeus.
In the land of Alcinous in camouflage of a just inaugural Athena arrives to take attention of Odysseus. She instructs Nausicaa to travel to the shore with her train and retainers. Athena commands her to “ The royal auto at early morning obtain, And order mules obedient to the rein ” ( 6. 41-42 ) , because the long route awaits her. There they wash apparels and dance and sing. Suddenly Odysseus comes out wholly bare. Nausicaa dresses him up and delivers him to the bounds of the metropolis, though Odysseus still did non uncover his name to her. If non for Athena ‘s attention, Odysseus would die.
In our paper we established that, whereas Odysseus uses prevarications and disguises to remain unnoticed and put to death his retribution without hinderance, Athena does so to rush Odysseus ‘ return to Ithaca and steer immature Telemachus in his actions. This we have supported by the figure of grounds from the verse form. In first two episodes, near the metropolis of Alcinous and being imprisoned in Polypheme ‘s cave, Odysseus hides his individuality, what helps him to continue to his major end – make his natal shore and convey retribution upon the unfair suers of Penelope. This end is non changed in his “ Cretan lies ” to Athena, Eumaios and Penelope. Even to Athena, his frequenter, and Penelope, his married woman, Odysseus would non uncover his individuality. His prudence helps him to accomplish his ultimate end in the terminal and to rejoin in felicity with his household. Athena, in the episodes in camouflages of Menthes and Mentor acts as a wise man and usher for immature Telemachus on the class of his actions. She realizes that young person can be rough and unprompted so she removes him for a clip to Pylos and Sparta, therefore assisting Odysseus ‘ programs to win. In the episodes with the dream of Nausicaa and in the land of Alcinous, Athena hastens the class of actions by reding nausicaa to travel to the shore and by concealing Odysseys with godly mist, when he approaches the castle of Alcinous, therefore shortening his journey.
Work Cited
Homer. Odyssey ( Trans. by Alexander Pope ) . Undertaking Gutenberg e-book. Web. 30 Apr. 2011.
