Comparing Athena and Penelope

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes Penelope and Athena's portrayals and roles in "The Odyssey" using Homer's description of them and how he wrote the characters, how Odysseus himself views the two women, and how they both help Odysseus in his journey back to Ithaca.

From the Paper:

"The "owl-eyed goddess" Athena (Homer 1, 87), described in this way many times throughout the piece, is characterized generally as an intelligent, witty, caring god who takes extreme interest in Odysseus. Athena's role is vital in getting Odysseus back to Ithaca, as demonstrated in the countless episodes of vital assistance lent to Odysseus in his times of need. One small example of her help is when Athena beautifies Odysseus directly before the final revealing of him to Penelope in Book 23. Athena is also portrayed as very caring, through her assistance to Odysseus and comments such as this made here by Nestor: ?Ah, if only grey-eyed Athena chose to love you/ The way she did glorious Odysseus/ In the land of Troy! I have never seen/ A god show love so openly/ As Athena did to him. / You could see her/ Standing at his side!? (Homer 3, 242-247). This quote emphasizes Homer's writing of the goddess as especially caring towards Odysseus, while again using the "grey-eyed" physical description of her. The author's style of describing Athena as necessary to the basic plot of the story commands further respect for the character. Without Athena, the majority of the poem would not take place. The story would end with Odysseus stranded on Calypso's island. Homer interjects his own reverence for her when describing Agamemnon's distaste towards the army's sailing to sea."

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