Why does athena favor odysseus

Her role as goddess of the womanly arts gets very little attention in The Odyssey. Penelope works at the loom all the time but rarely sees Athena, and then usually only in dreams. Ace your assignments with our guide to The Odyssey! SparkTeach Teacher's Handbook. Why does Telemachus go to Pylos and Sparta? How does Odysseus escape Polyphemus? Why does Odysseus kill the suitors? Athena transforms the appearance of Odysseus when he lands in the land of the Phaecians in order to win the favour from Nausicaa, the daughter of Alcinous, the king of the Phaecians as well as helping him upon his return to Ithaca.

Related to the bronze Piraeus Athena. Athena shares a special relationship with the hero Odysseus. She is his patron goddess and she will always intervene in time to assist him when he is in danger.

The goddess herself explains this special relationship with Odysseus in Book 13 of the Odyssey. This special favour by Athena is won by Odysseus through his reverence and loyalty to her. The goddess and the hero also share the same quality of being resourceful and wise. Unlike other Homeric heroes who achieve their aresteia through courage and bravery, Odysseus achieves his glory and great deeds through his cunning and wisdom.

Therefore, she decides to intervene in Book 1 to encourage Telemachus to undertake a journey to Pylos and Mycenae. Much of her aid is not given to Odysseus himself, but to his son Telemachus. While his father performed heroic feats, the prince was personally advised by the goddess. By guiding Telemachus without revealing her identity, Athena helps the young prince to grow into a future ruler.

In this way, the goddess does more than reunite the father and son. She serves as a surrogate to Telemachus, giving him the lessons in leadership he would have been taught by Odysseus. By guiding Telemachus, Athena helped to make up for the actions of the gods. The final book of the Odyssey describes the reunion of Odysseus and his son with his own father, the former King Laertes.

Laertes comments that he is pleased to see his son and grandson as near equals in valor. Athena serves as a patroness to Odysseus during the Odyssey. Athena personally petitions her father, Zeus, to allow Odysseus to return home after ten years at sea.

In Ithaca, Athena is even more closely involved. She takes on the role of Mentor, an old woman, to guide Telemachus and help him grow into a confident leader. When the father and son are reunited, she gives them the wisdom and strength to outsmart and overpower the men who have taken over their palace. Finally, Athena ensures that no further violence will spring from the deaths of the suitors.

When their families seek vengeance, Athena forbids escalation of the conflict. Athena does more for Odysseus than help him regain the throne for himself. She restores vitality to both him and his father and guides his son in his absence. While the Trojan War and the Odyssey , both caused by the actions of the gods, weakened the state of Ithaca , the assistance provided by Athena left the country stronger and more stable instead of permanently ruined.

My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember too long! How does Odysseus escape Polyphemus? Why does Odysseus kill the suitors? How does Penelope test Odysseus? What is happening at the beginning of The Odyssey? Why does Athena help Odysseus so much? Why does Nestor invite Telemachus to the feast before knowing his identity? Why does Calypso allow Odysseus to leave her island?