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Danielson Odyssey Riffs "Athena in Death" - Coggle Diagram
Danielson Odyssey Riffs "Athena in Death"
"Athena in Death"
Narrative
This short story describes the death of Odysseus, and how Athena finally returns to him to provide whatever he desires in death. Odysseus chooses to perpetually be on a journey home from a war he has won, and Athena chooses to abandon her usual duties and stays with him instead.
Compared to
Circe
Similarities
Both stories involve the theme in which Odysseus enjoys adventuring and/or raiding much more than his domestic life on Ithaca.
Story describes Odysseus' descent after the events of the Odyssey, including eventually his death.
Both stories describe the relationship between Odysseus and the goddess Athena.
Contrasts
In
Circe
, gods have little to no care for the mortals they rule over. Gods see mortals as a exploitable resource rather than something with meaning. Even legendary mortal heroes are not respected very highly by the gods.
Paints Odysseus in a poorer light, describing him as having gone mad with greed and lust for warfare, forsaking his family.
Unlike in "Athena in Death", the goddess Athena supports Odysseus because he brings her praise among the gods and the mortal realm. She does not support Odysseus because she feels love for him.
Compared to "Ulysses"
Similarities
Describes Odysseus' story after the events of the Odyssey
Both stories involve the theme in which Odysseus enjoys adventuring and/or raiding much more than his domestic life on Ithaca.
Contrasts
Describes a scene while Odysseus still lives, while "Athena in Death" takes place immediately after his death.
Makes no mention of the gods opinion on the mortals.
Themes
Gods do care somewhat for mortals, at the very least for specific mortals, such as legendary heroes.
Odysseus appreciates most his adventures on the sea, more than his desire to return home to his wife and son.
Author inputs a personal tale at the end of the story, noted as being the only story to do so in
the Lost Books of the Odyssey
.