Divine Intervention Flashcards
Athene - as Mentes - intervening to improve Telemachus and ready him for the challenge he will face when his father comes. Here we see divine intervention allows for personal development - not just help there and then
Telemachus to Mentes (Athene) ‘you have spoken to me like a father talking to his son; and I shall never forget your words.’
Book 5 - Poseidon’s anger and antagonism - even though he knows his fate is to survive he still attacks
‘Poseidon sent another monster wave… grim and menacing’
‘So much for you, now make your miserable way across the sea, until you come into the hands of people favoured by the gods’
Athene’s use of metis towards Zeus - securing help for Odysseus - makes Zeus pity him as he knows his fate is to return home
‘Look at Odysseus, that admirable king… he is left to languish in misery’
Athene intervenes with Nausicaa & the Phaeacians
‘Just as a craftsman trained by Hephaestus and Pallas Athene in the secrets of his art puts a graceful finish on his work by overlaying silverware with gold, she endowed his head and shoulders with beauty’
She covers him in a ‘thick mist’ to protect him from view as he makes his way to the palace.
She calls out ‘even a blind man could pick out your peg… None of the Phaeacians will make as good a throw, let alone better’ at the Phaeacian games to impress the others.
Athene enjoys concealing Ithaca from Odysseus when they have a conversation in book 13 - they enjoy conversation and make plans together
DISGUISE
Athene to Odysseus ‘Anyone who met you. even a god, would have to be a consummate trickster to surpass you in subterfuge. You were always an obstinate, cunning and irrepressible intriguer’
‘But you must understand that I was not prepared to oppose my uncle Poseidon, who was incensed when you blinded his own son’
‘I will indeed stand at your side’
‘Athene touched him now with her wand… she withered the smooth skin… changed his clothing to a shabby cloak and tunic, filthy rags, grimy with smoke.’
In the main battle in the hall Athene does help by ‘making the whole volley miss’ but helps by fuelling Odysseus’ anger to make his actions more heroic…
‘These threats (from the suitors) infuriated Athene… “Where is your spirit, Odysseus? Where has your prowess gone? You are not the man you were when… you fought the Trojans”’
Zeus sends the storm to kill Odysseus’ men (book 12)
Hyperion to Zeus ‘they have criminally killed my cattle’
‘Zeus brought a sombre cloud to rest above the hollow ship so that the sea was darkened by its shadow… my men were flung overboard and round the black hull they floated like seagulls on the waves’
