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Penelope
The goddess of wisdom, justice, and courage. She takes a particular liking to Odysseus, and by extension Telemachus – perhaps because Odysseus's suffering is greater than his crimes, perhaps because he embodies the values she champions. Secretively and light-handedly, she guides Telemachus and helps Odysseus when she can. She usually appears to mortals disguised as another mortal or as a bird; it might be that she is naturally reticent (as Zeus is naturally dramatic and ostentatious), or it might be that she takes pains to allow her heroes freedom of choice. Her partiality to Odysseus sometimes conflicts with Zeus and Poseidon's resentments, so she must act indirectly.
Athena Quotes in The Odyssey
The The Odyssey 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:
).
Book 3
Quotes
Some of the words you'll find within yourself,
the rest some power will inspire you to say.
You least of all – I know –
were born and reared without the gods' good will.
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Explanation and Analysis:
Book 13
Quotes
Any man – any god who met you – would have to be
some champion lying cheat to get past you
for all-round craft and guile! You terrible man,
foxy, ingenious, never tired of twists and tricks –
so, not even here, on native soil, would you give up
those wily tales that warm the cockles of your heart!
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire The Odyssey LitChart as a printable PDF.
Athena Quotes in The Odyssey
The The Odyssey 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:
).
Book 3
Quotes
Some of the words you'll find within yourself,
the rest some power will inspire you to say.
You least of all – I know –
were born and reared without the gods' good will.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 13
Quotes
Any man – any god who met you – would have to be
some champion lying cheat to get past you
for all-round craft and guile! You terrible man,
foxy, ingenious, never tired of twists and tricks –
so, not even here, on native soil, would you give up
those wily tales that warm the cockles of your heart!
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
