The narrative epic, 'The Odyssey' composed by Homer between 750 and 650 BC recounts the nostos or homeward voyage of Odysseus

        In the early stages of this extract Homer reveals a crucial theme of divine intervention supported with the motif of deception through the dialogue between Athena and Telemachus. During the Greco-Roman epoch, the all mighty Gods were able to interfere with mortals’ lives whenever they desired and Athena is doing so in this passage as she intends to purify Ithaca from the suitors’ filth. “Listen, now, and attend to what I say: / at daybreak call the islanders to assembly, / and speak your will, and call the gods to witness: / the suitors must go scattering to their homes.” (Lines 320-323) Athena is intervening in Telemachus’s daily mundane life by ordering him to eradicate the suitor’s from his father’s estate as they have intruded on Odysseus’s land for an extended amount of time by calling an assembly of all the islanders of Ithaca. Because of Athena’s support as well as the acknowledgment of other Gods, chiefly Zeus, Telemachus can embark on his symbolic journey to maturity because the gods have stepped into the role of the household master that Odysseus left empty for twenty years. The strong motif of deception assists in conveying the theme of divine intervention as Athena uses the disguise of Mentor to advise Telemachus. “the suitors must go scattering to their homes. / Then here’s a course for you, if you agree: / get a sound craft afloat with twenty oars / and go abroad for news of you lost father-“ (Lines 323-326) By using a disguise as an old family friend, Mentor, Athena is cleverly deceiving the suitors into believing that no deity is assisting Odysseus kin during a time of turmoil for his family. This way, she remains judged indifferently by the suitors yet she veers the fate of Telemachus to her preference without losing her reputation. It is ironic how Homer chose to have Athena disguised as Mentor, not revealing herself to Telemachus yet she provides him with charitable advice because often the intentions of deception are malevolent.  

        The next idea and notion presented by Athena is the key theme of hospitality which is evident throughout ‘The Odyssey’ yet is magnified in this section of the passage as Athena urges Telemachus to honor his father. This meeting between Athena and Telemachus allows Homer to explore the Greek concept of xenia which is the conception of gracious hospitality. “Talk to that noble sage at Pylos, Nestor, / then go to Menelaos, the red-haried king / at Sparta, last man home of all the Akhaians.” (Lines 329-331) Athena, disguised as Mentor is ensuring Telemachus a warm salutation upon visiting King Nestor and Menelaos of Pylos and Sparta, respectively. It is almost as if this social belief of hospitality, a key theme in the epic, is enforced by Greek social norms as a culturally imperative feature. Athena’s guidance of promising this hospitality upon visiting an unfamiliar land elevates Telemachus’s confidence to venture out from Ithaca, expanding his ability to follow in his father’s footsteps and grow into a man.  Homer’s use of language expressed through Athena’s discourse with Telemachus provides a sense of anticipation for readers. “If you should learn your father is alive / and coming home, you could hold out a year.” (Lines 332-333) Athena encouraging Telemachus to seek news regarding his father away from home is ironical in a sense because the one force that binds the sub-plots (though in a figurative sense it is the paths of these men not the plot) of Telemachus and Odysseus is Ithaca. However Telemachus must venture away from Ithaca, the core power which attracts both sub-plots (Odysseus’s homeward voyage to Ithaca and the conflict that occurs on Ithaca) in order to become closer with his father. Athena herself is emotionally involved with this predicament of the two sub-plots as it is noticeable because her tone shifts in conjunction with the mood created by her initiative. “If you should learn you father is alive / and coming home, you could hold out for a year. / Or if you learn that he is dead and gone, / … give your mother to another husband.” (Lines 332-333…338) As Athena describes the possibility that Odysseus still lives it is evident that her tone suggests that she is content because she tells Telemachus that he can, ‘hold out a year.’ This implies that she believes that if Odysseus is still alive, waiting for his homecoming another long impatient year is worth it. Athena considers that there is nothing better than seeing Odysseus alive. However the intriguing aspect of this section of the passage is that her tonal projection shifts to a softer, emotionally drained attitude when she actually utters the words, ‘he is dead and gone.’ This shift in tone depicts Athena’s affection for the wily Odysseus and his son, Telemachus. Athena truly advocates Telemachus to go out a make a name for himself by preserving his father’s; Telemachus is his father’s son and is beginning to cross the threshold between child and man.    

Furthermore, Athena’s reminiscence of Agamemnon’s fate underscores the importance of human loyalty. “Have you heard / what glory young Orestes won / when he cut down that two-faced man, Aigisthos, / for killing his illustrious father?” (Lines 344-347) Agamemnon’s (Orestes’s father) fate involved his own death at the hands of Aigisthos, the man who had an illicit affair with the King’s wife during the Trojan War. This adulterous act by Klytaimnestra (Agamemnon’s wife) stresses the significance of virtue and loyalty because Klytaimnestra’s betrayal stands in contrast with Penelope’s personality because Penelope remained loyal and faithful to her beloved husband, Odysseus. The imagery used by Homer in Athena’s dialogue truly emphasizes the calamity that arises to those that are deceitful. “when he cut down that two-faced man, Aigisthos,” (Line 346) This use of visual imagery allows readers to envision Aigisthos having two faces; one which merely scrapes the facade of his false identity yet the second is his sinister character with defile intentions, a face portraying the betrayal and disloyalty within him. Nonetheless, readers are aware of Aigisthos’s fate which is the consequence of his duplicity, and ‘two-faced’ behavior. This is why Athena’s evocative of Orestes striking down Aigisthos underscores the gravity of loyalty and devotion.            

A more underlying theme of revenge is introduced as Athena intends for Telemachus to take revenge upon the impertinent suitors who have defiled his father’s estate during the time of his absence. “You need not bear this insolence of theirs, / you are a child no longer. Have you heard / what glory young Orestes won / when he cut down that two faced man, Aigisthos, / for killing his illustrious father? Dear friend, you are tall and well set-up, I see; / be brave – you, too – and men in times to come / will speak of you respectfully.” (Lines 343-350) Athena is again persuading Telemachus to grow out of his childish personality and take revenge upon the suitors who have usurped Odysseus’s belongings during his long absence from Ithaca; the goddess of wisdom then provides incentive for Telemachus as she raves about the glory and respect Orestos received for killing the man who betrayed his father. This incidence parallels to this passage’s context because the sinister suitors mirror Aighisthos character and intents; the suitors slowly slither their way into the heart of Odysseus’s wife (Penelope) the same way Aighisthos flattered Klytaimnestra while Agamemnon fought at Troy. Athena evokes this memory because she induces Telemachus to strike down the suitors the same way Orestos did Aighisthos in honor of Odysseus’s name and repute, and if accomplished, Telemachus’s name will be spoken with utmost respect. Homer reveals the inspiration provided by Athena for Telemachus to restore the purity of his father’s estate by the obliteration of the suitors and their path of defilement through the key themes accentuated in this passage.

Athena’s conversation with Telemachus stresses her prompt decision about taking revenge upon the impudent suitors; however her voice has finally received Telemachus’ consideration as he mulls over departing Ithaca to defend Odysseus’s reputation. Telemachus devotes himself to guard his mother and upholding his father’s estate yet he doesn’t know how to defend them from the suitors; Athena is the one deity that edifies Telemachus the responsibilities of a Prince. “Friend, you have done me / kindness, like a father to his son, / and I shall not forget your counsel ever.” (Lines 355-357) Telemachus finally appreciates the assistance Athena is giving him as she is the sole individual that can oscillate back and forth between the two subplots of Odysseus and Telemachus. Homer again reminds us about the importance of hospitality as a cultural norm yet now he expresses the theme through Telemachus as readers can notice the slight transformation of Telemachus’s character. “but come / take a hot bath, and rest; accept a gift / to make your heart lift up when you embark- / some precious thing, and beautiful, from me, / a keepsake, such as dear friends give their friends.” (Lines 358-362) Telemachus has already commenced his metaphorical journey into manhood through Athena’s impetus because he is starting to grow out of his immaturity by offering Athena (disguised as Mentor) hospitality and warmth. This generous act of offering and providing hospitality is usually a symbol of the person’s maturity; yet as it is clear from Telemachus’s quote he is beginning to develop into a man with the caliber of a King, just like his father.

This extract from ‘The Odyssey’ is an essential point for Homer to build Telemachus’s character as he is encouraged to embark on a symbolic journey in becoming a man. To stress the importance of this extract Homer places vital themes, motifs and literary devices in order to maintain the passage’s value. By taking revenge upon those who have caused mayhem, the sub-plot of Telemachus’s predicament has Athena’s watchful eyes; the opportunity for Telemachus to stand up and become man in his own household that demeans him is now.