Odysseus Journey

             Its been twenty years since Odysseus has been able to go home to his kingdom and family, because Poseidon has a grudge toward him and would not let him leave. Currently his kingdom is slowly falling apart, and Athena, who always liked Odysseus, recognizes this and says that it is time for him to come back to his kingdom. At many points in his journey Odysseus could give up and not try to go home, however, Athena, is there by his side helping him almost every inch of the way. Although he can't always see her, she is there guiding him, helping him succeed. To help him, she gives him the wisdom, courage, and determination to complete the journey that she helped begin.

             By giving Odysseus knowledge about his situation she helps him to make a plan to return. She informs him by telling Hermes to deliver the message that after all of this time he is now able to go home: "order Odysseus home; let him depart "(The Odyssey,V. 35). However the gods don't want to just let him go home after all this time, they want to make it a challenge for him: "But let him have no company, gods or men,/only a raft that he must lash together" (V.36-37). Although she also has a route planned out for him he must find it himself: "and after twenty days, worn out at sea,/he shall make land upon the garden isle,/Skheria, of our kinsmen, the Phaiakians"(V.38-40). By Athena giving him the wisdom and knowledge to get home he is able to make it to Skheria, where they then send him to Ithaka with many "gifts and garments" (V .43). After he then returns to Ithaka, he is able to regain control from his wife's suitors; with help from Athena. She, again, tells him where to go and what to do: "But join your swineherd first - the overseer/of all your swine, a good soul now as ever,/devoted to Penelope and your son" (XIII. 506-508). With the help of his swine heard he is able to discover who is loyal and who will help him fight, he can then avenge the suitors by killing them.

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