First, in this book, we can 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 Athena, 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 othe

his story. Athena, once again, helps out Odysseus and Penelope in book 23 when she lengthens the nighttime, because both Penelope and Odysseus are similar in that they are quick-witted and cunning. Athena'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 Athena planned it otherwise. She held the long night back at the outward edge, she detained Dawn of the golden throne by the Ocean, and would not let her harness her fast-footed horses who bring the daylight to people..." (XXIII.241-246). Athena has so much respect for Odysseus that she wants to do anything to help him get to his homeland and regain his kingdom and household from the suitors. Athena helps Odysseus and his family a number of times throughout the epic in order to do so. Athena even helps Odysseus' son, Telemachos, in the journey that he has in the first four books of the epic. Athena and Odysseus both greatly appreciate one another. O!

Book 23 of the Odyssey serves as a conclusion to the journey that Odysseus has been on for twenty long years. Odysseus wraps up his 20-year journey home with an extra-long night of passion with his wife. This chapter also reiterates the importance of man's relationship with the gods and goddesses. In addition, we see Penelope use Odysseus-like trickery in order to assure her husband was whom he said. This trickery relates so closely with that of Odysseus in the last book that readers can see Odysseus and his wife as equals. The Odyssey includes

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Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)