D Murray Dillon Murray Mrs.

Leutheuser Greek God Paper March 21, 2010 Athena, the Goddess of Virtue and Vice

Athena is a very popular Goddess in Greek Mythology. She appears in Homers Iliad and Odyssey, the Parable of Arachne, and the legend of Perseus. In these stories, Athena often intervenes with certain people in order to guide them through difficult situations or instill bravery in a previously fable heart. She also appears in these stories to wreak pain and punishment on those who do not do what is wanted of them by the gods. Athena, the goddess of weaving, wiles, and war, (Hamilton, 14) displays traits that both enhance and diminish her character. Pleasant traits include the greatest wisdom of all the gods, the ferocity of Ares, and abundant helpfulness; but flaws of holding grudges and being quick to anger cause the destruction of many men. The story of Arachne is a famous parable that warns against one of the flaws Athena her self exhibits, quickness to anger. As the story goes, Arachne, a skilled mortal, says that she is a better weaver than Athena. Annoyed at the girls arrogance, Athena challenges her to a weaving competition. When it is over, they both had equally beautiful works. Athenas shows instances of her own exploits and triumphs including the naming of Athens after herself. Arachnes tapestry displayed the sins of the gods, including Athenas own. After finding no flaw in the debaucherous work, Athena flew into an uncontrollable rage, completely destroying the beautiful but revealing artwork and hitting the poor girl. In her shame Arachne hung herself. At the young womans death, Athena feels ashamed and turns her into a spider so she can live (Goddess-Athena.org). This story drastically reveals Athena lack of control at any one who disrespects her. This theme of uncontrollable anger appears often in the other stories she makes appearances. The story of little Ajax is found in the Odyssey and is another example of extreme anger and the flaw of holding grudges. During the destruction of Troy, little Ajax finds Cassandra in Athenas

D Murray 2 temple, seeking refuge. Ignoring the age-old law of sparing people seeking help in the goddesss temples, he defiled her. (Homer, 503) Adding more insult to injury, he refused to offer any sacrifice to Athena before leaving for home, asking for a safe journey. This lack of regard for the gods wishes inspire Athenas wrath at Ajax, causing a catastrophic ship wreck, killing every one on board, including their leader. But going further, Athena continues her rage against the innocent people of Ajax by sending plagues and bad harvests (Plera, 62). Although Athena every rights to have her retribution on little Ajax, but she went too far by continuing her anger and holding a pointless grudge against his innocent people who had nothing to do with the lack of esteem to the gods by their ruler. Athenas rage means certain punish to those who disregard her rules, even if they werent directly responsible for the offense. In other stories though, Athena is shown to be a wise and helpful person. The story of Perseus and Medusa is a good example of this better side of Athena. The legend goes that Perseus, born of Zeus and Danae, was sent away on a suicidal mission to kill Medusa, a feared gorgon. When he arrived at the cave where she lives, Athena appears and gives him gifts and advice to Perseus on how to kill the Gorgon. With her advice in mind, Perseus was able to defeat the gorgon, winning him much fame and fortune. In Homers Odyssey, Athena wisdom is very evident. Athena often helps Odysseus throughout his twenty years of wandering. Her vast amount of wisdom is shown when Odysseus first arrives at his home country. With the help of the ever wise and present Athena, Odysseus is given a fooling disguise and some advice on how to go about his dangerous endeavor. (Homer, 362) With Athenas direct instructions, Odysseus is able to recruit Telemachus, his son, and some of the remaining faithful servants to take retribution on the suitors who had been plaguing his house during his extended absence. The vast wisdom of Athena leads men to better decisions that often save them from imminent hardship or even death. Athena is shown as a ferocious goddess in other portrayals. She often depicted like this in Homers Odyssey and Iliad. During the Trojan War, Athena gives powers to mortals to help them have their moments of glory in battle. Diomedes was a recipiant of Athenas assistance , allowing him to replace

D Murray Achilles and even injure the Gods fighting against him and his fellow Acheans (Homer, 400). This ferocity, passed on to him by Athena, made him one of the greatest warriors on the battlefield. Athena also inspires Odysseus and Telemachus to take on the suitors. They were hopelessly out numbered but with the divine insparation of Athena, they were able to overcome their drastic situation. Athena instills ferocity and heroic bravery in herself and others who need it to overcome difficult scenariuos. Athena portrays all of these characteristic in the Odyssey. In this epic poem, Athena plays a major role as loving benafactor and wise guide to many people. She is especially good to Odysseous, Telemachus and Penelopy. Early on in the story, it is evident that Athena is watching over and advising

Telemachus. Almost immediately after the book begins, Athena instruts Telemachus to sail to Sparta and Corinth to seek word of his long lost father. His mission is a success. Athena also informs the young traveler that a group of evil suitors who are lying in wait for his return to kill him and get him out of the way( Richest.org). With this warning, Telemachus is able to avoid the trap and return safely to his worried and waiting mother. Later, it is revealed to us that Odysseus is also under Athenas protection. She fought for his right to leave Calpysos island and found a way for him to be safely returned to Ithica. Her wisdom continues even when he arrives at his perilous home country. Athena bestows upon him divine assistance by giving him a supernatural disguise and a plan on how to make his presence known to his loyal citizens while not being noticed by the suitors and unfaithful servants. Athena even supports the small band of fighters lead by Odysseus and his son against the suitors ravishing his household. Filling the groups hearts with courage, Athena helped them destroy the men who disregared Odysseus rule and tried to woo his wife. Athena support of Penelopy was different than men of the royal house. In her grief and uncertainty about the suitors and her seemingly dead husband, Penelopy was constantly sent reassuring dreams by Athena that told her that everything would turn out all right. This was some of the only solace Penelopy receved during her many years of misery. Athena helped the ailing rayal family to overcome the predicament of the suitors and their own sorrow.

D Murray 4 Athena is a contradiction. She is both flawed and virtuous, but one is more prominent than the other. Athena is more good than evil, helping those in need by instilling in them bravery or by just giving them good advice on how to handle a difficult situation. But, when she is disrespected by a mortal, she will not give them any mercey when dealing with them. Yes, Athena has her flaws, but her minor flaws are overshadowed by the many virtuous traits she represents.

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Work Cited Page

The Goddess Athena. March, 13, 2010. http://Goddess-Athena.org/Encyclopedia/Athena/Index.htm. Nostrum, Mare. Athena, the Goddess. 15Mar. 2010. .http://Richest.org/htwn/Greeks/athena/athena/html Grimal, Plera. Dictionary of Classical History. New york: Basil Blackwell, 1951 Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. New York: Penguin Books Inc, 1969 Homer. Iliad. Trans. Fagles, Robert. England: Penguin Group: 1996 Homer. Odyssey. Trans. Fagles, Robert. England: Penguin Group.