name some other times when she has done this, why does she keep doing this?
Afterwards, a feast is hosted in the House of Odysseus. Telemachus promises to keep Odysseus safe, although the only thing that happens is that all of the suitors begin clawing Odysseus apart, why didn't Athena or Penelope do anything to protect the father and son?
Do you think all the pain, suffering, and anger has taken a toll on Odysseus, do you think he will ruthlessly kill all of the suitors or give some mercy and amnesty?
Athena has really been doing this the whole time, and Odysseus would never have made it anywhere if she had not helped him. She disguised herself as a man and said Odysseus was excellent at the games in Phaeacia. She encouraged him when she first appeared to him, saying the gods will assist him in killing the suitors. She also did this for Telemachus when he felt he could not speak in front of the suitors. Athena has respect for Odysseus, and although he gets arrogant, he still needs confidence once in a while. He has been through so much in past years, and is so close to reclaiming his kingdom that she cannot let him fail now.
ReplyDeleteAthena knows Odysseus is strong enough to fend for himself, and will protect Telemachus no matter what. Penelope could not interfere because the suitors could just as easily turn on her.
Homer has created good and bad suitors for a reason. Odysseus wants vengeance the salvation of his kingdom and family more than anything, however, he will not be able to achieve this without killing a few seemingly good men. It will be easy for him to kill the most vulgar suitors, but killing the more innocent men who simply love his wife will be heart wrenching.
Athena lets Odysseus be abused by the suitors because she wants him to get mad, and want to kill them. Even though he will have gods assisting him, it is good for him to get angry at the suitors. Although Odysseus has had to go through a lot of pain, I do not think that is has or will take a significant toll on him. He knows that he will get his revenge, so he is willig to be abused for a bit.
ReplyDeleteWhen all the suitors begin clawing Odysseys and Telemachus apart, I think this is because she is seeing what they can do on their own. Athena has helped both Odysseus and Telemachus on their own journeys, so I think Athena is letting them be on their own and handel the suitors without any assistance from the gods.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be very unlike Odysseus to be a mad killer. Odysseus' personality seems to be brave and kind, and he would never do such a thing like that. Odysseus usually thinks of a clever scheme to get out of tight situations, rather than using rough methods. I think that he will give some mercy to the suitors. He will not ruthlessly kill them, but find in his best interest to get rid of them in a different way. That is, if the suitors do not fight back which is the opposite of what they usually do.
Athena has been giving Odysseus more confidence ever since he left to go to Troy. She has always been at his side helping him wherever he goes. She has given him advice and has given him a lot more courage to do things. During the feast Athena pushes the suitors to treat Odysseus worse because she wants him to have a lot of anger to take out the suitors. After so many years away and after all Odysseus has suffered he will most likely. He is testing all the servants and suitors so maybe he will spare the most loyal servants, but I think every single suitor will be killed.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Athena's interventions have ever really caused Odysseus to become arrogant but I think that they have given him a new sense of confidence. When Odysseus is at the games in Phaeacia once he does well he has this great confidence and positive attitude about him. This is thanks to Athena and she is able to see what her interventions are doing to him, she will continue to help until the suitors are dead.
ReplyDeleteI do think that all of this pain and suffering has taken a toll on him physically but mentally I think he is stronger, wiser, and smarter thanks to all the difficulties he has encountered on his travels to return home.
As mentioned in earlier books, not all the suitors are bad. Most of them are ruthless, arrogant, and lazy, and abuse Odysseus and Telemachus. Others are just bystanders, and don't do anything, which also makes them pretty bad. I think Odysseus isn't going to kill all the suitors in a ruthless sort of way, not only because it is unlike his behavior but also because Athena advised against it. I also think that the times that Athena intervenes are interesting, for she is never consistent. She helps Odysseus get some sleep so he stops worrying about the suitors and rests, but then doesn't do anything to stop Ctesippus from harassing him. Athena always seems to intervene at moments when either Odysseus, Penelope, or Telemachus need it but do not really express a desire for it, but never at the moments when they are praying and begging for it.
ReplyDeleteAthena interventions have continues to help Odysseus because he has simply gone through the impossible, and she pities him. She repeatedly intervenes to simply help him see what he has gone through so far, and how extraordinary it is. in terms of arrogance, Odysseus is a wise man and is aware that he has had help from the gods, and it has been essential in getting this far, so he is not at all arrogant.
ReplyDeletethe main reason for no one intervening when odysseus is being picked on, is mainly because they know what is to come, and are saving their anger and rage for it. Odysseus repeatedly thinks to himself what he will do, which is why he is able to control himself.
Throughout the Odyssey Athena has always been there to help out Odysseus and boost up his confidence. Even though Odysseus is clearly a brave man, he truly needs the help of the Gods provided. Athena counts on Odysseus to accomplish obstacles and she believes him. In Book 20 during the feast, when Athena was making the suitors more infuriated at Odysseus this was all part of her plan. She wanted Odysseus to get angry with them and take out all of his emotions on the suitors. Odysseus has been gone for so long, and as we know now it is clear how much he hates the suitors. He has now watched and seen how they behave around his wife and he has also heard various stories. It is very unpredictable I think, for what Odysseus has in mind. I think he of course wants the suitors gone and he is determined to kill them, yet at the same time I think Odysseus knows that he isn't that kind of person who would just ruthlessly kill several people.
ReplyDeleteAthena keeps doing this because she does not want Odysseus to doubt himself when he finally takes on the suitors. He is starting to lose faith in himself, and Athena does not want this. However, she also knows that he can sometimes get very full of himself. We have seen this on other occasions, such as the time with the Cyclops where he boasts for defeating him. To prevent this, she later makes the suitors taunt Odysseus. I think she does this so he does not get too full of himself, and she also does it to make sure Odysseus will not spare any of them. The suitors have already taken over his palace and are trying to steal his wife, however, when the suitors directly make fun of Odysseus it will make him even more angry.
ReplyDeleteI think that Odysseus, although he is angry, frustrated and tired, will not go on a rampage and kill all the suitors. I think that he will spare some of the suitors because Odysseus has good morals. Although he is so fed up with his situation Odysseus will have some self restraint and he wont kill innocent people. Although all the pain and suffering has taken a toll on Odysseus and he has lost most of his hope and love for the world he hasn’t lost all of it and he still knows what is right and wrong. The few suitors that gave him bread or were kind to him will be spared because of Odysseus’ hope for a better life.
ReplyDeleteOdysseus
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Zeus
Athena
Eumaeus
Antinous
Amphimous
Eurymachus
Philoetius
Melanthius
Eurycleia
Penelope
*Olympus
Delete*Ithaca
Athena keeps on persuading Odysseus to fight the suitors because she knows that he can do it. So far he has conquered fear after fear and defeating the suitors is much more simpler. Odysseus is starting to lose faith in himself and he is not giving up. He must defeat the suitors once and for all. Athena is not going to let him slip away from this. It is Odysseus' palace: his rules, his home. He is not going to let anyone through off Athena's plan
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