The Role of Women in Homer’s The Odyssey
Epic poems reflect a culture’s values. The female characters in Homer’s poem, The Odyssey, reflect the ancient Greek values of helpfulness, loyalty, and cleverness. Athena is a character who represents helpfulness. At the beginning of the story, she offers advice to help Telemachus persuade the suitors to leave Odysseus’s palace. Athena advises, “At daybreak call…