The mastery of such a skill as disguise is an accomplishment that demonstrates the self discipline that only Athene, the goddess of wisdom and strategy, would value. Odysseus, favored by Athene in return for his devotion to her, would also understand this value. Never does Homer negatively connotate the practice of disguise in which it would be understood as false pretense. Homer, in his capacity of the great classic authority of epics, presents his protagonists synonymously with heroes. Both protagonists, Odysseus and Athene, unashamedly practice disguise and therefore fits Homer's notion heroism; a positive quality.

Athene, who epitomizes perception and knowledge (as evident in her patronage of Athens, the most Greek of all city-states) takes on disgui

Even among the Phaecians, where he is revered and little trouble would be expected, Odysseus is reluctant to reveal himself. This demonstrates the maturity that Odysseus has developed since the encounter with Polyphemus. He enables himself to maintain control of the situation, whatever it might be, until he is certain that it is safe to reveal his identity. Odysseus' withholding of his true identity comes most into play upon his return home to Ithaca.

The use of disguise does not actually conceal the truth, and mislead others from doing so. Instead, it fulfills the truth based on unbiased reactions from those under the pretense however false this pretense might be. The discipline of the skill mastered by Odysseus proves how cunning he is, and proves to be far greater than any strength he possesses. The prudence and humility regarding ones identity is central to the message of The Odyssey and heroism in general.

The most apparent justification for disguise, which no doubt consciously motivates Odysseus, is that the genuine reaction he gets from the people he encounters. When he meets Eumaeus, the swineherd, and few other servants, he is treated kindly even though he is apparently just a beggar. This allows Odysseus to determine their trustworthiness. If they are the hospitable type of people who will genuinely receive lowly strangers, than Odysseus can assume that they are the type of people who do not harbor ill feelings toward their former king, and do not have the capacity to connive or plot against him. Interestingly disguise also proves to be insightful to the type of person is willing to accept those who appear beneath them.

The negative consequence of acting rashly regarding the devolution of ones true identity can be seen in Odysseus' encounter with Polyphemus at the end of Book IX. Odysseus seems to und

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Approximate Word count = 1239
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)