odyssey why did athena blow them off course

How would you describe Athena in the Odyssey?

Odysseus does not discuss, at this point, why he was blown off course and unable to return directly to Ithaca. Phemius, the renowned Ithacan bard, outlines the tale early in The Odyssey (1.375-76) when he performs "The Achaeans' Journey Home from Troy." The details are not articulated there either, but the story of Ajax's attempted rape of Cassandra in Athena's temple …

What did Athena tell Odysseus to do with his bow?

Athena watches over Telemachus like he was her own child sending him on the right wind for his journey home: “And bright-eyed Athena sent them a favorable wind, blowing strongly through the sky, that, speeding swiftly, the ship might accomplish her …

How many times did Athena change in the Odyssey?

Athena is confident, practical, clever, a master of disguises, and a great warrior, characteristics she finds reflected in Telemachus. 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.

How does Athena help Odysseus get to the Phaeacian shore?

Athena Character Analysis. Athena. The goddess of wisdom, justice, and courage. She takes a particular liking to Odysseus, and by extension Telemachus – perhaps because Odysseus's suffering is greater than his crimes, perhaps because he embodies the values she champions.

Why was Odysseus blown off course?

When trying to get home, Odysseus and his men's ship gets blown off course because of a big storm. After being thrown around, all over sea for nine days, they finally found land. The land that they found might not have been the best option for them, since it already took so much time to get home.

Why does Athena put mist around Odysseus?

Now in Ithaca, Odysseus needs protection. He slept for most of the journey from Phaeacia and is unable to recognize Ithaca when he awakes. Athena has provided a mist to cover the land so that she can privately alter Odysseus' appearance and help him hide his treasure.

How did Athena punish Odysseus?

524), Athena is the one who first sent Odysseus on his wanderings as part of the punishment for a desecration of her temple by one of the Greek warriors at Troy. In The Odyssey, however, she is a consistent supporter of Odysseus, intervening repeatedly on behalf of the hero and his son, Telemachus.

Why was Athena angry at Odysseus?

Why was Athena angry at Odysseus? The epic begins when Athena stops being angry at Odysseus for the violation of her shrine during sack of Troy. In the violation the three taboos are broken which with sexual, intellectual and sacred violations of the dignity of Athena due to the Hubris of the Greeks.Dec 7, 2021

In what book of the Odyssey does Athena disguise Odysseus as a beggar?

Book 16 ofRecap. In Book 16 of The Odyssey, Telemachus found Eumaeus talking to a stranger, who was Odysseus in disguise.Dec 23, 2021

What story does Odysseus tell Athena?

Odysseus conceals his joy and tells Athena (who he doesn't recognize) that he's a fugitive from Crete, wanted for killing a man who tried to steal from him. He says that the Phaeacians took pity on him and brought him to Ithaca while he slept.

Who was the ugliest god?

Hephaestus was the only ugly god among perfectly beautiful immortals.Hephaestus was born deformed and was cast out of heaven by one or both of his parents when they noticed that he was imperfect.He was the workman of the immortals: he made their dwellings, furnishings, and weapons.

Does Odysseus ever thank Athena?

' As the goddess suggests, Athena is the guardian of Odysseus when he is in trouble. 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.May 24, 2021

Why did Athena make Ajax mad?

Apparently, Ajax had offended Athena by rejecting her help during one of the fights under Troy, and it would have been more than irreverent on part of the Greeks to insult her yet again by siding with the hubristic hero.

Is Athena in love with Odysseus?

Athena's skill with words is one of the things she has in common with her favorite, Odysseus. Athena explains why she is so fond of Odysseus. Their relationship is one of mutual respect, based on their shared skill as talkers and schemers.

Why did Athena curse the Greeks?

Legend states that Medusa was once a beautiful, avowed priestess of Athena who was cursed for breaking her vow of celibacy. She is not considered a goddess or Olympian, but some variations on her legend say she consorted with one. When Medusa had an affair with the sea god Poseidon, Athena punished her.Jun 30, 2019

Which god helped Odysseus the most?

AthenaAthena is the Greek goddess of wisdom and battle strategy, and was also the patron goddess of heroes. Odysseus was a great hero among the Greeks, and so had Athena's favor and aid in many of his exploits.

What is Athena's role in the Odyssey?

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.

What book does Athena help Odysseus?

She helps him out of many tough situations, including his shipwreck in Book 5 and the mismatched battle of Book 22.

What does Athena do to Odysseus?

Athena controls the winds so that they blow Odysseus to the Phaeacian shore. (full context) ...and sharp rocks separate him from shore. A wave throws him against the rocks, but Athena inspires him with the strength to cling hard to one of the reefs; then a... (full context) Book 6.

What is Athena's character?

Athena Character Analysis. Athena. The goddess of wisdom, justice, and courage. She takes a particular liking to Odysseus, and by extension Telemachus – perhaps because Odysseus's suffering is greater than his crimes, perhaps because he embodies the values she champions.

What happened after the fall of Troy?

After the fall of Troy, Nestor says, Athena created a feud between the brothers Menelaus and Agamemnon: Menelaus wanted to return home at... (full context) ...him the affection of the gods. Telemachus says sadly that this can never be; but Athena (in the shape of Mentes) chastises him for speaking foolishly.

Plot Summary

Odysseus has been gone for almost 20 years: fighting the 10-year-long Trojan war, and struggling for another 10 years to get home. This story details that struggle.

Ideas Conveyed

This epic tale is full of demonstrations of hospitality. It’s clear that the ancient Greeks valued hospitality very highly, and, in fact, Zeus is the God of Guests: