Within the masts of ships, the tests of loyalty, and the flaws in mortals, similarities and differences among powerful female characters can be observed. The Odyssey by Homer follows the events after the Trojan War. Specifically, The Odyssey follows the journey of war hero, Odysseus, on his way back home to Ithaca. On his campaign filled with trials and tribulations, Odysseus receives help from many important women. Bright-eyed Athena, the goddess of strategic warfare, serves as a mentor throughout Odysseus’ journey to his homeland. Calypso, the nymph with the human voice, houses Odysseus on his journey home. Eurycleia, the head nurse in his high-roofed palace, provides care and support upon returning to Ithaca. These three women influence…show more content… Odysseus would not have been successful on his journey home without Athena, Calypso, and Eurycleia to guide him. Calypso and Athena share a similar relationship with Odysseus in their desire for him to return home. Calypso, the nymph with the lovely braids, houses Odysseus in the high arching caverns on her island, Ogygia. She does not want Odysseus to leave her company, but after her encounter with Hermes, the messenger god, she changes her mind. Calypso decides that it would be best to send Odysseus on his way home, so she provides resources for Odysseus to build a ship. When Calypso brings Odysseus materials for his ship, she brings him fabric to constitute the sail on his ship: “Lustrous Calypso came again, now with bolts of cloth/ to make the sail, and he finished that off too, expertly (Homer, Odyssey 5.284-285).” The sail Calypso allows for Odysseus to make is symbolic of his journey to come. The sail of a ship’s main purpose is to use the wind to propel the ship in the desired direction. Despite the fact that he would be leaving her company, Calypso obviously wants to point Odysseus in the right direction. Similarly, Athena wishes for Odysseus to be successful in his…show more content… Since leaving Calypso’s island, Athena has shown unwavering loyalty to Odysseus. She never directly states her loyalty until Odysseus doubts his ability to reclaim his power in his own house. Athena desperately needs to boost his confidence, and she does this by showing her loyalty. Athena exclaims, “But I am a goddess, look, the very one who/ guards you in all your trials to the last (20.50-51).” If Athena thought Odysseus was going to fail, she would not devote ten years of her life to bringing him home. This loyalty she reveals to Odysseus gives him the confidence of not only Athena backing him up, but knowing that someone is loyal to him and will be there for him if he fails. Similarly, Eurycleia professes her loyalty to the man in exile. After years of tending to Odysseus, she proves her loyalty by sticking with Odysseus under the pressure of the suitors. She says to Odysseus, “You know me— I’m stubborn, never give an inch—/ I’ll keep still as solid rock or iron (19.557-558).” When Eurycleia says this, she, much as Athena does, reveals two things to Odysseus. First of all, she clearly states how she is loyal by being stubborn. Thus, she would not be loyal to the suitors while Odysseus was in Troy. Secondly, she reveals that her character is a resolute, intractable person. Eurycleia and Athena are both loyal to Odysseus, and reveal that to him when he doubts his personal
