portrayal of athena in the odyssey

Women in the odyssey are portrayed in different ways, depending on whether they are mortal or divine, although there are many similarities. Major goddesses such as Athena are portrayed as being a watchful protector, whereas lesser divine women like Calypso and Circe are seen as being more seductive. Mortal women like Penelope are portrayed as being loyal.

Homer portrays Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, as being a very powerful yet caring woman; a guardian angel of sorts. She convinced Zeus, king of the gods to free him from Calypso’s island. “And sparkling-eyed Athena drove the matter home: ‘Father, son of Cronus, our high and mighty king… have you no care for [Odysseus] in your lofty heart... why Zeus, why so dead set against Odysseus?’” (pg 79). It would take a very strong willed woman to go against the decisions of the king of the gods. After a long disagreement, Zeus finally gives in and frees Odysseus from Calypso’s grip. Poseidon tries to sabotage this _____ and sends a storm to delay Odysseus on his raft. Athena steps in again, calming the winds and drifting Odysseus to the island of Scheria. There she goes to a princess in a dream, telling her when and where to find Odysseus. In a nutshell, she gives him safe passage to Ithaca. When he gets home, Athena disguises Odysseus as a beggar man so he can spy on his wife’s many suitors. In the battle scene when the suitors are slaughtered, Athena gives Odysseus courage and strength to overcome his enemies. She is pretty much running the show in the Odyssey, but rather than take complete control of Odysseus’s fate, she guides him on his adventure, acting as his guardian angel.