Athena Character Tracking

Observations Book 1: 1) described as “sparkling-eyed Athena” pg 79 line 53 2) “But my heart breaks for Odysseus, that seasoned veteran cursed by fate so long…” pg 79 line 58 3) Athena asks: “Why, Zeus, why so dead set against Odysseus?” pg 79 line 76 4) Athena, her eyes flashing bright, exulted, “Father, son of Cronus, our high and mighty king! If now it really pleases the blissful gods that wise Odysseus shall return—home at last—let us dispatch the guide and giant-killer Hermes… pg 80 line 96 (she then goes on to talk about helping Telemachus) 5) So Athena vowed and under her feet she fastened the supple sandals, ever-glowing gold that wing her over the waves and boundless earth w/ the rush of gusting winds…” pg 80 line 113 6) Her eyes glinting, goddess Athena answered, “…” (tells story of Mentes, the man she is pretending to be) pg 83 line 206 7) …the clear-eyed goddess reassured him… pg 84 line 256 8) “… (she has instructed Telemachus of his journey) You must not cling to your boyhood any longer—it’s time you were a man…. And you, my friend—how tall and handsome I see you now—be brave, you too, so men to come will sing your praises down the years…” pg 87 line 341 9) Her eyes glinting, Pallas declined in haste: “Not now. Don’t hold me here. I long to be on my way. As for the gift—whatever you’d give in kindness—save it for my return so I can take it home. Choose something rare and fine, and a good reward that gift is going to bring you.” With that promise, off and away Athena the bright-eyed goddess flew like a bird in soaring flight but left his spirit filled with nerve and courage, charged with his father’s memory more than ever now. He felt his senses quicken, overwhelmed with wonder—this was a god, he knew it well and made at once for the suitors, a man like a god himself. Pg 87-88 line361 Books 2 and 3: 1) Athena came to his prayer from close at hand, for all the world with Mentor’s build and voice, and she urged him on with winging words: “Telemachus, you’ll lack neither courage nor sense from this day on, not if your father’s spirit courses through…” (goes on to tell him of her brilliant plan) pg 101-2 line 300 2) Then bright-eyed Pallas thought of one more step. Disguised as the prince, the goddess roamed through town, pausing beside each likely crewman, giving orders…” pg 105 line 422 3) And Pallas Athena sped away in the lead as he followed in her footsteps, man and goddess. pg 106 line 446 4) Athena led the way assuming the pilot’s seat reserved astern, and he sat close beside her. Pg 106 line 458 5) … and poured libations out to the everlasting gods who never die—to Athena first of all, the daughter of Zeus with flashing sea-gray eyes… pg 106 line 474 6) “Telemachus, no more shyness, this is not the time! We sailed the seas for this, for news of your father…” pg 108 line 16 7) “Telemachus,” the bright-eyed goddess Athena reassured him, “some of the words you’ll find within yourself, the rest some power will inspire you to say. You least of all—I know—were born and reared without the gods’ good will.” And Pallas Athena sped away in the lead as he followed in her footsteps—man and goddess…Pg 108 line 27 8) With that Pisistratus placed in her hand the cup of mellow wine and Pallas rejoiced at the prince’s sense of tact in giving the golden winecup first to her. At once she prayed intensely to Poseidon… pg 109 line 57 9) Poised Telemachus answered, filled with heart, the heart Athena herself inspired… pg 109 line 84 10) Eyes afire, Athena set them feuding, Atreus’ two sons… They summoned all the Achaean ranks to muster, rashly, just at sunset…anything to appease Athena’s dreadful wrath—poor fool, he never dreamed Athena would not comply… pg 111-12 line 151 11) “…If only the bright-eyed goddess chose to love you just as she lavished care on brave Odysseus, years ago in the land of Troy where we Achaeans struggled! I’ve never seen the immortals show so much affection as Pallas openly showed him, standing by your father—if only she’d favor you, tend you with all her heart, many a suitor then would lose all through of marriage, blotted out forever.” Pg 114 line 247 12) “Telemachus!” Pallas Athena broke in sharply, her eyes afire—“What’s this nonsense slipping through your teeth? It’s light work for a willing god to save a mortal even half the world away…” pg 114 line 260 13) Zeus’ daughter—they all hung closely on every word she said. Pg 118 line 378 14) “Dear old man, you’re right,” Athena exclaimed, her eyes brightening now. “Telemachus should oblige you. Much the better way. Let him follow you now, sleep in your halls, but I’ll go back to our trim black ship, hearten the crew and give each man his orders…” pg 118-19 line 398 15) With that the bright-eyed goddess winged away in an eagle’s form and flight. Amazement fell on the Achaeans there…”…Of all who dwell on Olympus, this was none but she, Zeus’s daughter, the glorious one, his third born, who prized your gallant father among the Argives…” pg 119 line 415 16) At the end of the chapter the people, led by King Nestor hold a ritual ceremony in honor of Athena. Book 4: 1) (Menelaus to Helen) “…Then all the rest of the troops kept stock-still, all but Anticlus. He was hot to salute you now but Odysseus clamped his great hands on the man’s mouth and shut it, brutally—yes, he saved us all, holding on grim-set till Pallas Athena lured you off at last….” Pg 133 line 319 2) And again the bright-eyed goddess Pallas thought of one more way to help. She made a phantom now, its build like a woman’s build… Athena sped her on to King Odysseus’ house to spare Penelope, worn with pain and sobbing, further spells of grief and storms of tears. Pg 149-50 line 893 3) “…She has power—Pallas Athena. She pities you in your tears. She wings me here to tell you all these things.” Pg 151 line 931 Book 5: 1) But voyaging back thy outraged Queen Athena who loosed the gales and pounding seas against them…” pg 155-56 line 121 2) But Zeus’ daughter Athena countered him (Poseidon) at once. The rest of the winds she stopped right in their tracks, commanding them all to hush now, go to sleep… pg 164 line 421 3) (talking to Odysseus)… a tremendous roller swept him toward the rocky coast where he’d have been flayed alive, his bones crushed if the bright-eyed goddess Pallas had not inspired him now. Pg 165 line 469 4) (Athena helps him yet again) Unlucky Odysseus would have met his death—against the will of Fate—but the bright-eyed one inspired him yet again… pg 166 line 482 5) (Odysseus) He set out for the woods and not far from the water found a grove with a clearing all around and crawled beneath two bushy olives sprung from the same root one olive wild, the other well-bred stock. No sodden gusty winds could ever pierce them, nor could the sun’s sharp rays invade their depths, nor could a downpour drench them through and through, so dense they grew together, tangling side-by-side. Pg 167 line 524 6) So great Odysseus buried himself in leaves and Athena showered sleep upon his eyes… sleep in a swift wave delivering him from all his pains and labors blessed sleep that sealed his eyes at last pg 167 line 543 Book 6: 1) But the goddess drifted through like a breath of fresh air, rushed to the girl’s bed and hovering close she spoke, in face and form like the shipman Dymas’ daughter… pg 169 line 23 2) “bright-eyed” pg 169 line 27 3) pg 169 Athena uses Nausicaa in plan to help Odysseus 4) pg 172—Pallas leads Odysseus to Nausicaa 5) Only Alcinous’ daughter held fast, for Athena planted courage within her heart… pg 172 line 153 6) Zeus’ daughter Athena made him taller to all eyes, his build more massive now, and down from his brow she ran his curls like thick hyacinth clusters full of blooms. As a master craftsman washes gold over beaten silver—a man the god of fire and Queen Athena trained in every fine technique—and finishes off his latest effort, handsome work, so she lavished splendor over his head and shoulders now. Pg 175 line 253 7) The sun sank as they reached the hallowed grove, sacred to Athena, where Odysseus stopped and sat and said a prayer at once to mighty Zeus’ daughter: “Hear me, daughter of Zeus whose shield is thunder—tireless one, Athena!..” pg 178 line 352 8) So he (Odysseus) prayed and Athena heard his prayer but would not yet appear to him undisguised. She stood in awe of her Father’s brother, lord of the sea who still seethed on, still churning with rage against the great Odysseus till he reached his native land. Inferences/Conclusions 2) has pity for Odysseus/favors him/is a compassionate goddess 4) Has power of influence over the gods/able to persuade them to do things 5) Her gold sandals maybe represent her stature as a goddess, her stateliness. She seems majestic and brave/ warrior-like *note: this is a great description of her appearance 6) take note of “eyes glinting” 7) clear-eyed as if she has nothing to hide—the epitome of purity. 8) She opens his eyes to reality and gives him courage to step out of his comfort zone. 9) Like any other goddess she likes fine things. Then, the way she soared like a bird depicts feminity. I suppose that’s part of the reason why Telemachus recognized her as being a goddess. 1) She’s very bright and cunning—very smart. 3) Leadership material, a bit bold, but confident. 5) sea-gray’s a unique color. It makes me think she has hidden secrets. 7) Again, she’s kind of a take charge person and she’s definitely giving Telemachus confidence he hasn’t had before. 8) Of course, she is disguised here, but she is humbled and does a very good job. 10) Athena’s wrath must be pretty intimidating to people. 11) Basically saying that Athena has the power—so if she loves you, you will be looked after by her. Also, she really favored Odysseus. 12) She does have a temper 13) They respect her 15) She is greatly respected and the people know of her power. 1) Athena was in support/helping the Achaeans probably because she was angry at the goddess of discord and Paris. (the golden apple) 2) Athena is sensitive, compassionate and sympathetic especially of Odysseus and his family. She wants to spare them pain. 1)When Athena’s mad, she is mad. 2) Always in support of Odysseus, but she also seems to be against Poseidon a lot. 3) again described as “bright-eyed” 5) Olives are one of Athena’s symbols. It’s as if those olive trees are there from Athena to protect Odysseus and keep him safe for awhile. 6) Athena watching over Odysseus/ (also) power over his actions? 1) She seems gracious and ladylike here and we see her power to change 4) She is creative, wise, cunning, and resourceful 6)She does fine handwork with her powers and crafts. 7) Athena is Zeus’ favorite daughter and she seems to be under his protection and support 8) I think Athena feels a bit inferior to Poseidon and maybe a little apprehensive about the great amount of work she still has to get Odysseus home (what she’s up against)

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