Knowledge Builders

how does athena help odysseus in book 13

by Chase Nicolas Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Athena has provided a mist to cover the land so that she can privately alter Odysseus' appearance and help him hide his treasure. Athena turns the hero into an old beggar, even going so far as to shrivel his skin, remove the "russet curls" (13.456) from his head, and dim the fire in his eyes.

Full Answer

How does Athena help Odysseus hide his treasure?

Now Athena changes into a woman, praises Odysseus for his cunning, and reveals her real identity. She explains that she will help Odysseus hide his treasure and conceal his identity, and warns him that he must suffer further even under his own roof.

What happens in book 13 of the Odyssey?

The Odyssey Book 13 Summary & Analysis. The Phaeacians are following Zeus's code of hospitality in welcoming Odysseus, giving him gifts, and escorting him home. But Poseidon considers their behavior impious: by helping Odysseus, they impede Poseidon's anger, and therefore pit their human wills against his divine will.

How does Athena help Telemachus in the Odyssey?

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. Just as Telemachus has been deprived of his father’s lessons, Laertes has also suffered from Odysseus’s absence.

Why does Odysseus think he has been brought to Ithaca?

He thinks that the Phaeacians tricked him and brought him to some foreign land. Then Athena appears in the guise of a young shepherd, and tells Odysseus that he is in Ithaca, after all. 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.

image

What does Athena tell Odysseus in Book 13?

Now Athena changes into a woman, praises Odysseus for his cunning, and reveals her real identity. She explains that she will help Odysseus hide his treasure and conceal his identity, and warns him that he must suffer further even under his own roof.

How did Athena help Odysseus?

In the Odyssey, Athena helps Odysseus by arguing with her father for his release. She uses her intelligence and wisdom to argue and find a compromise for his return; eventually, Zeus caves in and allows the young man to leave his confinement and return home.

What happens in Book 13 of The Odyssey?

Summary: Book 13 Odysseus sets sail as soon as the sun goes down. He sleeps the whole night, while the Phaeacian crew commands the ship. He remains asleep even when the ship lands the next morning. The crew gently carries him and his gifts to shore and then sails for home.

Where does Athena send Odysseus first in Book 13?

Where does Athena send Odysseus first? Athena dresses Odysseus as a beggar and sends him to his swineherd.

Why does Athena help Odysseus so much?

Why does Athena help Odysseus so much? Athena helps Odysseus for several reasons. Odysseus is Poseidon's enemy, having blinded Poseidon's Cyclops son, Polyphemus, and Athena and Poseidon share a mutual grudge stemming from when they both vied to become the patron saint of Athens.

How did Athena help Odysseus in his transformation?

Athena turns Odysseus into an old beggar so that he can meet the swineherd without being recognized. She then leads Telemachus safely to the swineherd's farm by having him circumvent the danger of suitors trying to kill him. Once Telemachus is there, she transforms Odysseus into a dazzling version of his younger self.

How does Athena disguise herself in Book 13?

Athena has provided a mist to cover the land so that she can privately alter Odysseus' appearance and help him hide his treasure. Athena turns the hero into an old beggar, even going so far as to shrivel his skin, remove the "russet curls" (13.456) from his head, and dim the fire in his eyes.

How does Athena react to Odysseus lying?

She is disguised as a mortal, and when she asks him who he is, he lies to her. He even deceives her about his origin. She then reveals who she is and praises him for his treachery.

Why does Odysseus lie to Athena?

b)When Odysseus lies to Athena, he does so because he does not want to reveal his identity. When he first sees Athena, she does not appear in her true goddess form. She looks like a simple shepherd from the land.

Who does Odysseus tell Athena he is?

Answer and Explanation: In book 13 of the Odyssey, Odysseus meets Athena, who is disguised, and tells her that he is a criminal from the island of Crete, escaping punishment for the murder of a thief.

How long did Athena want Odysseus in disguise?

How long does Athena tell Odysseus to be in disguise for? Long enough to keep him safe. Odysseus prepare for his journey.

How did Odysseus died?

The royal couple, together again after ten long years of separation, lived happily ever after, or not quite. For in a tragic final twist, an aged Odysseus was killed by Telegonos, his son by Circe, when he landed on Ithaca and in battle, unknowingly killed his own father.

What did Athena do in the Odyssey?

Athena. Daughter of Zeus and goddess of wisdom, purposeful battle, and the womanly arts. Athena assists Odysseus and Telemachus with divine powers throughout the epic, and she speaks up for them in the councils of the gods on Mount Olympus. She often appears in disguise as Mentor, an old friend of Odysseus.

How does Athena help Odysseus in Book 5?

She gives him a veil that keeps him safe after his ship is wrecked. Athena too comes to his rescue as he is tossed back and forth, now out to the deep sea, now against the jagged rocks of the coast. Finally, a river up the coast of the island answers Odysseus's prayers and allows him to swim into its waters.

How does Athena help Odysseus in Book 1?

At a divine council on Mount Olympus, Athena pleads with her father, Zeus, to take pity on Odysseus and allow him to return home. She suggests that Zeus dispatch Hermes to liberate Odysseus from Calypso while Athena visits Ithaca to advise King Odysseus' son, Telemachus.

What is the relationship between Athena and 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. Interestingly, Athena does not champion Odysseus because he is a good man, or because he is her devout worshipper, but rather because they share similar traits.

How Does Athena Help Odysseus?

The gods play an important role in Homer’s Odyssey, but none is more present or helpful than Athena!

Why does Athena disguise Odysseus as a beggar?

Athena disguises Odysseus as a beggar so he can sneak into his palace, but removes the disguise and makes him appear strong and youthful when his son finally meets him.

What happens when the suitors learn Telemachus is gone?

When the suitors learn Telemachus is gone, they conspire to assassinate him when he returns to Ithaca. Once more Athena guides the family, giving courage and wisdom to Penelope to keep her safe. Odysseus and Telemachus both return to Ithaca at the same time.

Why does Athena make Penelope more beautiful?

Athena also makes Penelope more beautiful and young looking to prepare for her husband’s return. And Odysseus and Telemachus work to regain control of Ithaca from Penelope’s suitors, Athena seems even more intent than the king and prince on enacting revenge.

Why does Athena hold back the dawn?

When Odysseus and Penelope are finally reunited, Athena holds back the dawn to give them more time together. He then goes to be reunited with his elderly father even as the families of the suitors move toward revenge. Athena helps Odysseus a final time by preventing a civil war on Ithaca.

How long did Odysseus stay with the nymph?

After seven years with the nymph, Odysseus is sent away on a raft. When Poseidon discovers this he sinks the small vessel, but Odysseus is saved by Athena and a helpful sea nymph. He washes ashore on the island of Phaecia, where Athena disguises herself as a local girl to guide the king’s daughter to Odysseus.

Why does Odysseus use cunning?

He often uses cunning to escape the many dangers he faces. This characterization makes Odysseus particularly aligned with Athena. The goddess of wisdom was believed to prioritize strategy in war rather than just brute force. This alignment is not entirely left to the reader’s interpretation.

How did Athena help Odysseus?

This was shown when Athena helped Odysseus with a wise plan to win the war with the suitors by changing Odysseus’s appearance. When Odysseus returned to Ithaca, Athena disguised him by turning him into an old beggar. Through this Odysseus gathered information on what is going on in the palace. Athena does not want to do the work for him, as he can learn and grow also through the process. When it was appropriate, she change him back but also enhanced him to be more built, taller and

What is the conversation between Athena and Odysseus?

The conversation between Athena and Odysseus in the middle of book 13 reveals how each of them feels and thinks about the other at this stage in the epic. When Athena is first coming to meet Odysseus, after he has landed on Ithaca, she decides not to appear as herself to Odysseus, but first as a “young man… a shepherd boy”, and she then changes back to herself (13.252). She does this to get an honest opinion from him, as if she had appeared as a god, he might not have been honest with her. She also wants to hear his story, and see if he is actually thinking about her. After he does not “recognize” her because of her “endless” shapes, she is angry with him and accuses him of “never getting tired of twists and tricks” (13.340,56,32). She is evidently…show more content…

What were the qualities of Akhilleus and Agamemnon?

Akhilleus possessed these qualities, while the antagonist, Agamemnon, was lacking the field of leadership and of being a warrior. The author did this so that the Greeks would imitate Akhilleus who was a strong, clever warrior and not Agamemnon who was inferior to Akhilleus in many ways. Akhilleus did not become strong through suffering and hard work, but instead, he was born with it because her mother was a goddess. He had everything he needed, power, fame, and a high position in the Akhaian Army. The Iliad’s conflict was the war between the Akhaians and the Trojans, while the secondary conflict was between Akhilleus and Agamemnon.

Why do Athena and Poseidon interfere with humans?

In Homer’s The Odyssey, gods like Athena and Poseidon interfere with humans to satisfy their own desires, showing that they are just as imperfect and flawed as the mortals that they rule over. Athena favors Odysseus since he reminds her of herself. He portrays the same cunning, guile, and intelligence as she does; Athena had confided to him that “two of a kind, we are, contrivers, both,” comparing how similar they are. “Of all men now alive,” she says, “you are the best in plots and story telling. My own fame is for wisdom among the gods --deceptions too.” (The Odyssey 13.379-384.)

Why is Odysseus considered a hero?

In The Odyssey, the character Odysseus can be considered a hero because he demonstrates many characteristics that are attributable to most heroes. After the battle at Troy, Odysseus strives to sail back to his homeland (Ithaca); however, he encounters some issues along the way and Poseidon attempts to make it impossible for Odysseus to return home. At the beginning of this journey, Odysseus wants to make it back to Ithaca with all of his crew alive. This selfless goal displays Odysseus acting for the greater good because he knows that these men have families that depend on them and would like for them to come home. Along the journey home, Odysseus and his crew come across a cyclops and become trapped in the cyclops’ cave.

How did Odysseus change?

Throughout the story, he changed by learning how think before acting, being honest and communicating with his team, and becoming persistent toward his main goal which is going back home. He also displayed many of Art Costa’s "habits of mind” such as teamwork, persistence, and stop and think. We can learn from Odysseus’ journey as we read about him. Odysseus was a king, husband and father.

What does Odysseus' encounter with Nausikaa mean?

In The Odyssey, Odysseus’ encounter with Nausikaa externally represents Odysseus’ calculated way of thinking and humble character when he asks for help from others. Odysseus is fully aware of his actions and makes sure that his actions yield the results that he desires. On page 103, lines 152-159, it states, “ And Odysseus came, debating inwardly what he should do: embrace this beauty’s knees in supplication? Or stand apart, and, using honeyed speech… In his swift reckoning, he thought it best to trust in words to please her… he might anger the girl, touching her knees.”

Why does Athena want Odysseus to be in disguise?

Athena wants Odysseus to disguise himself because she knows that it is in his nature to want to know the exact attitudes and crimes of those who took advantage of his disappearance. She wants him to be in disguise until he knows exactly what each suitors crime is and to develop a way to appropriately punish them for their behavior. This way Odysseus could also test his servants and his family for their loyalty as well as testing the suitors for their crimes. A deception would also make his homecoming more dramatic than if he just entered the palace and announced he was home. Finally, it was safer for him to enter in disguise. The suitors were not going to be happy that he had returned and they outnumbered him. By using a disguise, Odysseus could use his cleverness and timing to bear on the situation and insure a good outcome for himself and his family.

How long has Odysseus been away from Ithaca?

Odysseus has been away from his homeland of Ithaca for twenty years, so when he finally returns to the island, he can't just head off to the palace and wipe out all of Penelope's suitors. First, he needs to establish the lay of the land, so to speak: to find...

Why doesn't Athena help Odysseus?

She tells Odysseus about the suitors' treachery and about Penelope's loyalty.

What book is Odysseus in?

The Odyssey: Book 13. LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Odyssey, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. The next day, King Alcinous stows Odysseus's many gifts on the ship and everyone feasts.

What prophecy does Poseidon fulfill?

To take revenge, Poseidon fulfills a prophecy mentioned in book 8: he turns to stone the Phaeacian ship that carried Odysseus to Ithaca just as it returns to the Phaeacian harbor, so that the ship sinks.

What happens when Odysseus walks on the ship?

When Odysseus walks onto the ship the next morning, he falls into a deep, sweet sleep – a sleep that resembles death, and that erases briefly the memory of his twenty years away from home. The ship lands in a harbor in Ithaca and the crew places ...

What is Athena's mist?

Athena's mist is another kind of protective disguise, and ensures that sleeping Odysseus stays out of harm's way. Odysseus follows Agamemnon's advice and keeps his identity hidden from the moment he steps onto home soil. The story he tells Athena is one of many alternate identities he constructs while he's in hiding in his own court. Like many of the stories, the fugitive story is both true and untrue: many of the details are fabricated, but Odysseus did kill the Cyclops for trying to steal his life, and he is a fugitive from Poseidon. This half-truth places emphasis on his guilt.

Why do the Phaeacians pray and sacrifice to Zeus?

The Phaeacians are terrified that he will also create a mountain around their harbor and block their access to the sea, as the prophecy says, so they pray and sacrifice to him to try to appease him. The Phaeacians are following Zeus's code of hospitality in welcoming Odysseus, giving him gifts, and escorting him home.

Does Zeus stand in Poseidon's way?

Though Zeus might defend the Phaeacians, who obeyed his rules, he chooses not to stand in Poseidon's way. Active Themes. Back in Ithaca, Odysseus wakes from his long sleep. Athena has surrounded him with mist to protect him, so at first he doesn't recognize his surroundings.

image

1.How does Odysseus' conversation with Athena in Book …

Url:https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/how-odysseus-conversation-athena-book-13-odyssey-35837

22 hours ago Athena is the goddess of war and Odysseus stands out as one of its leading role models. She is a goddess associated with cunning and craftiness, qualities which Odysseus likewise holds in …

2.How Did Athena Help Odysseus: The Complete Guide …

Url:https://mythologysource.com/how-does-athena-help-odysseus/

24 hours ago  · Athena helps Odysseus a final time by preventing a civil war on Ithaca. She gives his father the strength to strike down the leader of the suitors’ families, then commands the people of Ithaca to disperse and accept Odysseus as their returned king.

3.Conversation Between Athena And Odysseus In The …

Url:https://www.ipl.org/essay/The-Conversation-Between-Athena-And-Odysseus-In-FKCUZ3RJED6

29 hours ago She reminds her father of Odysseus’ misfortunes. The goddess encourages him to let the protagonist return home. He is required to see his family and reconnect with his son Telemachus under Athena’s pressure. Athena is sympathetic to Odysseus’ homesickness. Athena is resolved to help him in any way and at any cost.

4.In Book 13, why and for how long does Athena want …

Url:https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/book-13-why-how-long-athena-want-odysseus-29767

31 hours ago Athena favors Odysseus since he reminds her of herself. He portrays the same cunning, guile, and intelligence as she does; Athena had confided to him that “two of a kind, we are, contrivers, both,” comparing how similar they are. “Of all men now alive,” she says, “you are the best in plots and story telling.

5.The Odyssey Book 13 Summary & Analysis | LitCharts

Url:https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-odyssey/book-13

14 hours ago How does Athena help Odysseus? Athena helps Odysseus a final time by preventing a civil war on Ithaca. She gives his father the strength to strike down the leader of the suitors’ families, then commands the people of Ithaca to disperse and accept Odysseus as their returned king.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9