Abstract This paper examines how in the "Odyssey", the only fully explored relationship is the friendship between Athena and Odysseus. It looks at how the Goddess and the Wanderer delight in virtuosities of deception and how they seek to out wit the other with affectionate larceny. It shows how it is a crafty, amused, deeply feminine amity that binds Athena to Odysseus and how it is Athena, the goddess of wisdom and the patron of Odysseus, who has the greatest impact on him.
From the Paper "The help of Athena can be traced back to the Iliad. During the funeral games for Achilles' friend, Patroclus, Athena helped Odysseus take many prizes. However, Athena's impact on Odysseus does not truly come about until the Odyssey. As the Odyssey opens, Odysseus is in a situation he cannot get out of without the help of Athena. He is on the island of Ogygia with Calypso, a beautiful goddess. She offers Odysseus immortality if he will stay on the island as her husband. It is at this point in the poem that Athena first interferes in the life of Odysseus. She plans to reunite Odysseus with his family. "
Abstract This paper is about Athena. The student was inspired about this paper after reading different fragments of the "Catalogues of Women" and "Eoiae". As the inspirer and the shaper of Perseus, Athena could be counted on to have supernatural and heroically beautiful features, but the precise nature of this beauty was not plain to be found.
Abstract This paper will discuss the ways that Athena is a greater hero than Achilles in Homeric literature. By addressing the weaknesses of Achilles, we can substantially prove that Athena is a greater hero in the Homer's portrayal of the Greek goddess.
Abstract This paper examines "The Odyssey" through the eyes of Athena and her relationships with Telemachus, Odysseus, and Penelope.
From the Paper "Telemachus is the first person to encounter Athena in the Odyssey, and in fact he is the one who needs the most attention, due to his lack of age. Athena has a plan to destroy the suitors who devour Odysseus? wealth, but in order for it to work, Telemachus has to go through his ?rites of passage,? to become a man. Athena knew that Odysseus? blood ran through the veins of young Telemachus and that all he needed to get it pumping was a little adventure. She decided to send him to Nestor in Pylos and Menaleus in Sparta for news of his father. They were two men who knew his father well and would be able to give Telemachus a sense of who his father is. She is sure to stay by Telemachus? side at all times to teach him the tricks of the trade. Like a father would. She did this until he felt secure in making his own decisions. Even then she was there to give him an encouraging word or two. "
Abstract 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."
Abstract This paper will look at the Greek goddess Athena and her special place in Greek mythology. She was especially revered both in real life and in mythology, particularly by Homer, as we shall see. In preparing this paper, I looked at a number of representations of the goddess and will discuss them in some detail. Depending on the sculptor or the artist, she is depicted in any number of different ways.
Abstract This paper discusses Homer's "The Odyssey". The paper explains that although Athena and Penelope are very different in terms of their general gender characteristics and hence their relative power, they are also very much alike in the way they actually influence events and manipulate the world around them. The paper examines how both inspire men to great deeds, for better or worse; both affect their environment through trickery and guile and both use their beauty to influence others.
From the Paper "Homer's tale of the Odyssey is populated by many female characters, ranging in nature from the silent and submissive to the ferociously lethal. If one were to pick out two women who are most influential in the shaping of the story, however, the choice would certainly linger on the strange dyad of Athena and Penelope. Athena serves as the direct initiator of much of the action, and it is her force of will that drives the return of Odysseus and the death of the suitors. Penelope, on the other hand, is the inspiration which motivates the principle actors -- for herself, she takes precious little action and is deeply passive, even paralyzed, yet her very existence is enough to spur Odysseus from the side of his goddess-lover and to inspire the blind devotion of her suitors. "
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of Athena in Greek mythology. Athena was the goddess of wisdom, protector of polis and supporter of heroes. She has often appeared in ancient Greek writings and paintings.
Abstract Martin Bernal, author of ?Black Athena?, argues that numerous cultural achievements that are, by tradition, attributed to the ancient Greeks, are actually found in Africa, specifically, the Egyptians. Mary Lefkowitz, author of ?Not Out of Africa,? argues that Bernal's findings and assumptions are incorrect. This essay examines both works and discusses the opposing views.
From the Paper "Berlinerblau, in his review of Lefkowitz's book, discusses the importance of academic inquiry unencumbered by political conerns (Berlinerblau Pp). Lefkowitz refers to Bernal as an armchair archaeologist. However, she is not the only critic of Bernal's work (Berlinerblau Pp). Robert Palter writes, "Bernal's rhetoric is predicated, unwittingly"on ignorance and superficial understanding? (Berlinerblau Pp)."
Abstract This paper examines gender role definition in the ancient world by reviewing "Antigone" by Sophocles, "Eumenides" by Aeschylus, and the plight of Eve in "Genesis" from the Old Testament of the Bible. The author points out that it is evident women were placed in a secondary position and that the law was traditionally determined by men or male gods. The paper relates that the three women experienced some form of judgment: Athena with social disapproval; Eve with the punishment of pain; and Antigone with death.
From the Paper ""Antigone" reflects the earliest of the feminist portrayal of woman standing against the laws of men. Sophicles does not portray Antigone as a paragon of feminine conformity, rather, she is a woman who has never married, never borne children and is only a 'daughter' in a social order that values males and devalues females. Nonetheless, she is seen as having power through her ability to motivate others toward assuming her opinion. She has strength of character and the strength of her convictions."
Abstract This paper examines how in its day, the Parthenon was considered the finest example of a Doric order temple and how it was built in the 5th century BCE to give thanks to Athena, the city's patron goddess, for the salvation of Athens and Greece in the Persian Wars.
From the Paper ""The name Parthenon refers to the worship of Athena Parthenos, the 'Virgin Athena' who issued fully grown from the head of her father Zeus" ("Parthenon, Athens, Greece"). Athena was the maiden goddess and patroness of Athens. She represented the gifts of intellect and understanding. Because of her purity in body, mind, and heart, Athena was considered "the symbol of the universal human aspiration for wisdom" ("Parthenon, Athens, Greece"). The topographical location, geometry, and astronomical orientation of the Parthenon reinforce the symbolism of the Parthenon as a shrine to the quest for wisdom. The temple itself was built to embody Athena's presence, both in its intention and in its physical construction."
Abstract A discussion of how the myths "Gilgamesh" and "The Odyssey", by Homer deal with men who cheat death. Odysseus and Gilgamesh both battle the Gods and win. Gilgamesh, himself is part God, explaining his ability to defeat a God. Odysseus, the archetypal Greek hero, defeats various gods with the help of other God. It shows how Odysseus is granted the help of Zeus and Athena after he demonstrates his bravery by visiting the underworld and escaping. It concludes that both men learn about the proper way to live on earth after visiting the underworld and the visits make them great leaders.
From the Paper "Gilgamesh was one third man and two thirds god. Due to his special abilities, Gilgamesh felt he was worthy of everyone's praise, and therefore bossed everyone around. The citizens of Uruk were displeased with Gilgamesh's behavior and asked the gods for help. The gods responded by sending a man named Enkidu, who was a double of Gilgamesh. Enkidu lived in the forest with all the animals, and was a wild savage. One day Gilgamesh sent a hunter and a beautiful woman to the forest, planning to distract Enkidu from the animals. The hunter left, and Enkidu and the woman became good friends. Enkidu was turned into a man, and he left with the woman for Uruk."
Abstract This paper discusses early Renaissance art. It focuses on sculptures that were commissioned for various reasons. The paper describes these works of art - their inspiration and properties and the purpose of their commissions. It particularly focuses on a statue of Pallas Athena, the ancient goddess of wisdom and the protector of the city of Athens and the sculpture of "David."
From the Paper "The only possible objection might be the church that might resist the image of a nude female form from mythology standing proud before the city. Yet the Medicis wished that their power, over the authority of the Church and the technical legal status of Florence as a republic would reign supreme. They were making a new republic of wisdom that was in reality not a democracy at all, just like "David," for all of the gestures made to Biblical times in its name and in the statue's slingshot, really strikes the viewer as more of a celebration of Man and the artistry of the sculptor than the divine. The sculpture would pay homage to the right ideology on the surface, but an even deeper message of raw power would be expressed by the image of stone and metal."
Abstract This paper examines the historical value of "The Odyssey" in Greek society as well as the symbolism behind the actions of the characters in the poem. The paper also gives a brief summary of the plot of the poem and then analyzes the actions of the Goddess, Athena. The paper propounds her involvement in the affairs of mortals as being representative of divine intervention.
From the Paper "Athena, the daughter of Zeus, is the Goddess of wisdom, purposeful battle, and the womanly arts in Greek mythology. During The Odyssey, Athena develops a friendship with Odysseus, despite the fact that she is a Goddess and he is a mortal. This causes her to take a much more important role in the life of Odysseus and she uses her position of influence to speak on behalf of Odysseus to the other Gods. She even convinces her father that it is time for Odysseus to return home and presents him with a set of plans that she has already come up with in order to ensure his safe journey. First of all, she sends Telemachus, who is Odysseus' son, to search for his father and she also allows for Odysseus to be released from the island he had been held captive on for the past ten-years."
Abstract This paper describes the Secessionist artistic movement of the early 1900s and analyzes Klimt's 1898 richly symbolic painting "Pallas Athene" in the context of the artist's artistic / political views and Greek mythology. The analysis links visual clues in Klimt's paintings to the attitudes and values espoused by the Secessionist artists.
From the Paper ?An iconological interpretation of the Pallas Athene asserts that Gustav Klimt presented the goddess of wisdom as the embodiment of enlightened philosophy which would impart light to a politically and socially ravaged Austrian nation, which had been submerged in spiritual and cultural darkness. Klimt encouraged viewers to confront the illnesses of Viennese society within a pictorial context while simultaneously presenting them with the idea that potential means of escape from the demoralising situation existed, and that attainment of a more ideal existence was indeed within their reach.?
