Odysseus and Athena vs. God and Job

1. Odysseus and Athena have a very special relationship. She is his protector, guider, supporter, and most of all a very close friend. Athena is always looking for ways to help Odysseus get back home safely to Ithaca. Odysseus also has a relationship with Zeus, but it is very remote compared to his and Athena's. The only time Zeus intervenes in the story is when Athena insists he does. Athena feels for Odysseus more than is normal for an immortal to feel for a normal human man. So this definitely makes their relationship one of a kind. Athena admires so much about Odysseus, such as his bravery, intelligence, and wisdom. She believes that she and Odysseus are very much alike, which is why she chooses to help him on his journey home.

Job and God have a similar relationship, as God wants nothing but the best for Job, and all He wants to do is protect him. God knows all things, and He reassures Job that He knows the plans He has for him, and that He will not let him stumble or fall. Although God is with Job, he definitely doesn't make life easy on him. He leads him through troubles and sorrows, much like Athena did with Odysseus. God tries to explain to Job that it is alright not to understand the things that are happening in the present, but to trust in Him always to lead him through whatever lies in his paths ahead of him. Job is most definitely considered a family man, much like Odysseus. He goes through hardships and trials that lead to everything he owns being taken away from him, but through it all he chooses to keep his faith rooted in God.
Job and Odysseus are alike, as well as God and Athena are alike. They are both protectors, and will stop at nothing until they get what they wanted. Both Athena and God love and care for Odysseus, and both pairs have unique relationships with one another.
The relationships suggest that the religious views during each time were very different. The Hebrews believed that there was one true God. They didn't believe in making sacrifices to gods such as the sun god or the god of the sea. The Greeks were the complete opposite. They believed that there were many gods that ruled over the world, and each had differing opinions of the other. The Hebrews believed that the one God rules over all.

2. The women in The Odyssey play a very important role throughout the whole epic tale. Women basically control the world and everything in it. They seem to always get their way, and never take no for an answer. These women were not placed in the background like many other women sometimes are. They're highly respected by the other gods and also by mortal men. Out of all of the female gods, Athena was considered the most important. Being a daughter of the great and mighty Zeus, she basically got everything she wanted. She could control almost anything that happened. She had the ability to disguise herself as a mortal to help not only Odysseus, but Telemachus too. Athena was only as female as she wanted to be. Since she had the power to disguise herself, she could pretty much be whoever she wanted to be whenever she pleased. But she is still considered a goddess since she is named as the daughter of Zeus. Another important goddess in the story is Circe. She curses Odysseus' men into being changed into animals, and tell Odysseus that the only way he would get his men back was to sleep with her. Obviously, being excessively in love with his wife, Odysseus didn't want to take her up on her offer, but felt like he had no other choice. She fell deeply in love with Odysseus, and didn't want him to ever leave her island, but allowed it only when he begged her to. Another goddess who plays a huge role in The Odyssey is a goddess named Calypso. She rescued Odysseus from the sea and gave him a home. She also falls deeply in love with him, and claims he will never be able to escape from her island. She was able to keep Odysseus captive for many years.

                 

There are also important women in the story who are immortal. Helen, for example, is a prime example of one of those women. Helen was the daughter of Zeus and sister of Clytemnestra. Helen was a strong-willed and powerful woman. There were three other important women in the story: Arete, Nausicaa, and Penelope. Out of all these women, Penelope is definitely the one that stands out the most. She was so very wise and faithful. Throughout all the years, she remained loyal to Odysseus, and always knew in her heart that he would find his way back home to her. Penelope was also a very careful woman. Even when Odysseus returned she was weary about the whole situation. All of these women played an important role in this story, and each role is definitely irreplaceable. 

3. Intended:

• Telemachus in book 16
• The suitors in book 22
• Eumaios and Philoetios in book 21
• Penelope in book 23
• Laertes in book 24

Unintended:

• Argos in book 17
• Eurycleia in book 19