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Odysseus
Athena is the goddess of wisdom, weaving, and the art of war. She is also the patron of Odysseus. She wants to bring him glory and power, and so she encourages him to seek out action even after his return to Ithaca, instead of letting him rest. As Circe puts it, Athena wants Odysseus to be “always delighting her with some new twist of cleverness.” In this way, Athena exemplifies the selfishness of the gods, since she—like other gods—cares for mortals only for selfish reasons. When Athena hears a prophecy that Telegonus will cause Odysseus’s death, she tries to kill the infant Telegonus, even demanding that Circe hand him over. In return for Telegonus, Athena promises to send along another man with whom Circe can have a child, a child that Athena vows to protect and lead to become a renowned leader. But her offer overlooks the inhumanity of killing an infant and assuming that the child can be easily replaced by another. So Circe declines Athena’s offer and sets up protective spells around her island to keep Athena out. After Odysseus’s death, Athena offers Telemachus the opportunity to found an empire for her in the west. She is shocked and enraged when he declines, but she then quickly offers the opportunity to Telegonus, who accepts. The quick change from one human to another demonstrates how mortals are interchangeable to her; the only thing that matters is that they bring her glory, power, and satisfaction.
Athena Quotes in Circe
The Circe quotes below are all either spoken by Athena or refer to Athena. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 21
Quotes
An owl passed its wings over my head. I heard the sound of scuffling brush, the beak snap, A mouse had died for its carelessness. I was glad Telemachus would not know of those words between me and his father. At the time I had been boasting, showing off my ruthlessness. I had felt untouchable, filled with teeth and power. I scarcely remembered what that was like.
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Chapter 22
Quotes
“When I was young, I overheard our palace surgeon talking. He said that the medicines he sold were only for show. Most hurts heal by themselves, he said, if you give them enough time […] I took it for a philosophy. I have always been good at waiting, you see. I outlasted the war and the suitors. I outlasted Odysseus’s travels. I told myself that if I were patient enough, I could outlast his restlessness and Athena too […] And while I sat, Telemachus bore his father’s rage year after year. He suffered while I turned my eyes away […] But this world does have true medicines. You are proof of that. You walked the depths for your son. You defied the gods. I think of all the years of my life I wasted on that little man’s boast. I have paid for it, that is only justice, but I have made Telemachus pay as well.”
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Chapter 24
Quotes
Penelope’s face was bent to the floor. “I have, goddess. He is set in his course. You know his father’s blood was always stubborn.”
“Stubborn in achievement.” Athena snapped each word like a dove’s neck. “In ingenuity. What is this degeneracy? […] I do not make this offer again. If you persist in this foolishness, if you refuse me, all my glory will leave you. Even if you beg I will not come.”
“I understand,” he said.
His calmness seemed to rage her. “There will be no songs made of you. No stories. Do you understand? You will live a life of obscurity. You will be without a name in history. You will be no one.” […]
“I choose that fate,” he said.
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Get the entire Circe LitChart as a printable PDF.
Athena Quotes in Circe
The Circe quotes below are all either spoken by Athena or refer to Athena. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 21
Quotes
An owl passed its wings over my head. I heard the sound of scuffling brush, the beak snap, A mouse had died for its carelessness. I was glad Telemachus would not know of those words between me and his father. At the time I had been boasting, showing off my ruthlessness. I had felt untouchable, filled with teeth and power. I scarcely remembered what that was like.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 22
Quotes
“When I was young, I overheard our palace surgeon talking. He said that the medicines he sold were only for show. Most hurts heal by themselves, he said, if you give them enough time […] I took it for a philosophy. I have always been good at waiting, you see. I outlasted the war and the suitors. I outlasted Odysseus’s travels. I told myself that if I were patient enough, I could outlast his restlessness and Athena too […] And while I sat, Telemachus bore his father’s rage year after year. He suffered while I turned my eyes away […] But this world does have true medicines. You are proof of that. You walked the depths for your son. You defied the gods. I think of all the years of my life I wasted on that little man’s boast. I have paid for it, that is only justice, but I have made Telemachus pay as well.”
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Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 24
Quotes
Penelope’s face was bent to the floor. “I have, goddess. He is set in his course. You know his father’s blood was always stubborn.”
“Stubborn in achievement.” Athena snapped each word like a dove’s neck. “In ingenuity. What is this degeneracy? […] I do not make this offer again. If you persist in this foolishness, if you refuse me, all my glory will leave you. Even if you beg I will not come.”
“I understand,” he said.
His calmness seemed to rage her. “There will be no songs made of you. No stories. Do you understand? You will live a life of obscurity. You will be without a name in history. You will be no one.” […]
“I choose that fate,” he said.
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Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
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