Welcome to my blog for Understated: The Roles of the Ancient Woman in Homer's Odyssey
Be sure to scroll to the very bottom of the page to view a great essay on the topic.
Also, this blog goes in this order: Most recent is conclusion. Oldest is Opening. Please Click Older Posts to start at the BEGINNING.
Enjoy.
Happy reading and may you gain great knowledge of the admirable subject of one of the greatest Greek or Otherwise Goddesses, Athena: Goddess of Wisdom, Defensive War, and Patroness of Warriors.
Athena Goddess of The Great Athens
Athena, was the Greek Goddess of wisdom, war, the arts, justice and skill. She was the favorite child of Zeus, She had sprung fully grown from her father's head. Her mother was the goddess of wisdom and Zeus's first wife, Metis. In fear that he may bear a son mightier then himself Zeus swallowed Athena. Zeus came upon a great migrane, and called upon Hephaestus to split his skull open and from his skull emerged Athena. She is the virgin mother of Erichthnonius. Her usual attribute is the owl. And her father allowed her to possess the great Aegis.
*Thank you to http://www.pantheon.org/ for this information*
Friday, December 17, 2010
Conclusion
In conclusion, through this examination of multiple examples of Athena’s archetypical roles, as well as, her many vociferations within the epic, itself, we can clearly see that Homer’s Athena has indeed directly influenced the plot, assuming responsibility for Odysseus’s actions, as well as, altering Odysseus as a man, allowing him to build the strength and disband any moral turpitude that previously plagued him. Athena is the iconic protector, and goddess, giving hope and balance to Odysseus while carrying the ever burdening weight of strength for his household in Ithica. Symbolizing the stronghold or voice that leads us home. Through her actions, and the very stagnant archetypical roles placed upon her persona by Homer, she manipulated (positively) the wills and ideals of the protagonist, using methodical strategies to allow our hero, as well as, the plot to achieve a moral and justified “ending”.
Part 8: Athena's Whispers in the Ears of Penelope and The Fairytale- Like Ending Characteristics of Homer's Odyssey
Differentiating between reality and imagination, one can circulate in their mind what might happen to the Homeric plot of The Odyssey if such events had not been painted clearly by Athena. Several times throughout the story would have seen many pauses or abrupt endings in plot , ending apprehensively in the many faces of Death. However, Athena being the goddess of defensive war, was charged to protect those whom are warriors. Making it, an action /reaction type relationship for her and her mortal heroes.
Giving the seeds of idea to Penelope, assuring her that indeed good Odysseus would return to her, Penelope challenges men and prince to duel for her hand and kingdom (AHL). Placing an impossible task in their hands, only Athena and Penelope could know would be impossible, she tells them they must string the god-like bow of Odysseus, and shoot an arrow through a slew of small holes, in axe like objects.
The ending is pronounced, it takes on a fairy tale like quality: The hero or protagonist learns lessons through harsh realities, and in the end , through the knowledge of another lives “happily ever after”. Same is true of Odysseus, through the knowledge of Athena, Odysseus has finally reached his culmination, retrieving once again hearth and home, abandoning the sea and the harsh lessons it holds.
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