The Eyes are the Window to the Soul
Athena, goddess and son of Zeus, very frequently appears in disguise, attempting to intervene into the lives of both Odysseus, and his son, Telemachus, in order to protect or warn them. Athena's eyes are highlighted in her epithets, throughout the stories of The Odyssey written by Homer and translated by Robert Fagles. Epithets are phrases that are able to describe a character often in a book. They are able to act as an introduction to the character, as that character is mentioned. This adds insight as to who the the character being introduced, is, as a person or in this case, as a goddess. Homer uses epithets consistently throughout the Odyssey. In the epithets regarding her, Athena is described as bright-eyed, …show more content…
People often use the term, “The eyes are the window to the soul”, when someone is expressing pain, anger, or any other emotion that they may be trying to hide, …show more content…
Time and time again, throughout the Odyssey, her eyes are described as bright. An example of this can be seen when Athena tells Telemachus that he needs to find this out for himself if his father, Odysseus, is coming home, or if he has passed away along his journey. She also tells him that it is his responsibility to stand up to the suitors of his mother, especially if Odysseus is not coming back. As she is leaving, Homer writes, “Off and away Athena the bright-eyed goddess flew like a bird in soaring flight but left his spirit filled with nerve and courage, charged with his father’s memory more than ever now, He felt his sense quicken, overwhelmed with wonder— This was a god, he knew it well and made at once for the suitors, a man like a god himself.” (B.1, 367-373). No matter what disguise Athena is in, her eyes are always an important feature. Athena’s eyes represent her ability to help others. In disguise as Mentes, an old friend of Odysseus, Athena tries to help Telemachus. Being called “bright-eyed” in this context, it can be seen that Athena has spread her knowledge to Telemachus, and has helped him greatly. Again in book two, it can be seen that Athena is called bright-eyed by author, Mentes, when she shows kindness. He writes, “Then bright-eyed Pallas thought of one more step. Disguised as the prince, the goddess roamed through town, pausing beside each likely
Athena, goddess and son of Zeus, very frequently appears in disguise, attempting to intervene into the lives of both Odysseus, and his son, Telemachus, in order to protect or warn them. Athena's eyes are highlighted in her epithets, throughout the stories of The Odyssey written by Homer and translated by Robert Fagles. Epithets are phrases that are able to describe a character often in a book. They are able to act as an introduction to the character, as that character is mentioned. This adds insight as to who the the character being introduced, is, as a person or in this case, as a goddess. Homer uses epithets consistently throughout the Odyssey. In the epithets regarding her, Athena is described as bright-eyed, …show more content…
People often use the term, “The eyes are the window to the soul”, when someone is expressing pain, anger, or any other emotion that they may be trying to hide, …show more content…
Time and time again, throughout the Odyssey, her eyes are described as bright. An example of this can be seen when Athena tells Telemachus that he needs to find this out for himself if his father, Odysseus, is coming home, or if he has passed away along his journey. She also tells him that it is his responsibility to stand up to the suitors of his mother, especially if Odysseus is not coming back. As she is leaving, Homer writes, “Off and away Athena the bright-eyed goddess flew like a bird in soaring flight but left his spirit filled with nerve and courage, charged with his father’s memory more than ever now, He felt his sense quicken, overwhelmed with wonder— This was a god, he knew it well and made at once for the suitors, a man like a god himself.” (B.1, 367-373). No matter what disguise Athena is in, her eyes are always an important feature. Athena’s eyes represent her ability to help others. In disguise as Mentes, an old friend of Odysseus, Athena tries to help Telemachus. Being called “bright-eyed” in this context, it can be seen that Athena has spread her knowledge to Telemachus, and has helped him greatly. Again in book two, it can be seen that Athena is called bright-eyed by author, Mentes, when she shows kindness. He writes, “Then bright-eyed Pallas thought of one more step. Disguised as the prince, the goddess roamed through town, pausing beside each likely