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Odyssey- Divine intervention

Athena does this throughout the story to all the characters. She simply suggests an idea to them that offers insight to what is already destined to happen. She also tells Telemachos to listen if anyone has been told anything by the gods because that is very likely to happen in this story especially with Athena working her magic. "What a vision they saw: something filthy and caked in sea-salt which fairly terrified them: away they scampered in all directions, to hide behind hillocks of sand. Only the young princess stood her ground; for Athena took all her fear away" (p.76). Athena here is taking away a characteristic from Nausicaa; she is taking away her fear. With Athena's power to do this she can greatly effect the outcome of different situations. If Nausicaa had run away with the other girls Odysseus would have been left alone to fend for himself and he would have no way of getting to town or obtaining the help of the Phaiacians. " then came young Athena towards him, in the shape of a young shepherd" (p.152). Athena here is taking the shape of a young shepherd to disguise herself from Odysseus. It is really pointless because she reveals herself to Odysseus anyway, but with the ability of shape shifting Athena is able to mingle with the mortals without causing a huge commotion. Athena does this throughout the book to Odysseus as and other characters like when he changes into Mentor, Nausicaa's friend, and Penelope's sister. .
             Second of all, divine intervention is a prominent theme in The Odyssey because of help offered by Zeus. Zeus in The Odyssey is a low-key character and he doesn't appear that much. He is talked about plenty and his name is used constantly, but he doesn't actually do anything that often. Zeus limits himself to only stepping in when he is asked to, like when Athena asks him whether he is going to keep war waging between Odysseus and the suitor's families.


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