Blog #3

Relationship between Odysseus and Athena compared to God and Job

Athena’s goal is to help and protect Odysseus. In the story of Job and God, Job always trusted God and believed that God was always trying to help him. Odysseus always put his trust in Athena. Athena didn’t let bad things happen to Odysseus while God let bad things happen to Job so he could learn. The relationship between Job and God is direct while the relationship between Athena and Odysseus is romantic because Athena develops feelings for him because of his intelligence. In both cases, a God or upper power was there to help in times of struggle and weakness. Both of the upper powers accepted and liked the people they helped. Odysseus doesn’t figure out it was Athena that was helping him until the end of the Odyssey. 

The Greeks have many Gods while the Hebrews only have one God. These stories suggest that the Hebrews and Greeks believed that their Gods protected them. 

Women's role in The Odyssey 

Men are almost always superior to women in the Odyssey, which lead to poor treatment. Their roles are limited to housework and childbirth. The society was formed in a way that women were there to only serve the men and provide for their children. Women in the Odyssey have different personalities and relationships with the men than in other poems written for this time. They show strength and want to be treated respectfully in this ancient society. Only in Sparta women have more rights. Women and Goddesses try to seduce Odysseus, try to make him weak. Zeus sends the women as a test for men to see who is strong and not tempted. Without the help from some of the women in the Odyssey, Odysseus would not have made it back to Ithaca. 

Penelope is the ideal woman of her time. She is married to Odysseus and is loyal to her husband while he is away. She represents innocence because of her age and character. She runs the house while he is gone and spends her time weaving. She shows intelligence when she set a trap to prove if the man is really Odysseus. 

 Athena plays the goddess of wisdom but she also helps Odysseus’ morals. She relates to the struggle of Odysseus and she tries to help him in many situations. Athena shows strength, intelligence and confidence throughout the Odyssey. Athena is the main reason that Odyssey is able to return to Ithaca safely. 

Different Recognitions of Odysseus 
Intended:
Father- He is Telemachus’ Dad. He is not a very good father, he leaves Telemachus with Athena to watch him while he is gone. 

Husband- His wife is Penelope. He remains faithful to his wife and fights his way to get back to her. 

Lover- He is seduced by many women and goddesses during his journey. He tries to remain faithful to his wife Penelope in Ithaca.

Unintended:
Beggar- He disguises himself as a beggar when he first returns to Ithaca. This conceals his identity. He was not recognized until he proved his wife with the arrows and his scar. He did not plan to do this until he made it back to Ithaca.