Odyssey
In book 23 of the Odyssey, reoccurring Homeric themes appear, character's roles change, and a homecoming for an epic hero is finally accomplished. Book 23 may be the one book in this poem that can be related the closest to the poem as a whole. In this book, we see the relationship of a god/goddess and a human being as a reoccurring theme throughout Homers works. This god/human relationship is shown throughout the poem mainly through the actions of Athene, who is trying to assure that Odysseus receives the glorious homecoming that he deserves. Book 23 concludes Odysseus's twenty-year homecoming journey by uniting him with his beloved wife, Penelope. The homecoming that is looked forward to by so many throughout the poem is finalized by the romantic reunion of Odysseus and Penelope This reunion shows a cunning side of Penelope that is almost the same as her husband, Odysseus, shows numerous times throughout the epic. This cunningness by Penelope exhibits a different example of the role of women in the time of the Odyssey. The relationships between humans and gods are looked at numerous times in both the Iliad and the Odyssey. Gods in these poems hurt some humans and help others. The relationship with Odysseus and
Penelope is a prime example of loyalty and fidelity. Where we usually see Odysseus lying to people to assure their loyalty, Penelope shows that she is truly Odysseus' equal by using this form of trickery on him. certain gods is what shapes this epic into what it is. In addition, we see Penelope use Odysseus-like trickery in order to assure her husband was whom he said. In book 23, Penelope turns the tides on Odysseus, assuring him trustworthy by using her own trickery. This shows that Athene likes that Odysseus is a great leader as well as a great deceiver. Athene's help is described by the quote:Now Dawn of the rosy fingers would have dawned on their weeping, had not the gray-eyed goddess Athene planned it otherwise. Athene appreciates Odysseus for his resourcefulness and for being "far the best of all mortal men for counsel and stories" (VIII. She lies to the suitors because she still believes that her real husband, Odysseus, is still alive. Athene relates the two of them when she says, "for you and I both know sharp practice" (VIII. Athene even helps Odysseus' son, Telemachos, in the journey that he has in the first four books of the epic. He, again, disguises himself for Penelope, his wife, in order to make sure that she has been loyal to him.
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XXIII241-246 Athene,
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