Athena for Odyssey National Hero of the Year

What makes a hero? A hero is someone who rescues people when in danger, someone who would risk their reputation with their friends to do the right thing, someone who has powers that no human has. These are all things that we are looking for in this year’s Odyssey National Hero. One person alone can define what a hero is in the Odyssey and that person is Athena, daughter of Zeus. Athena would make a great hero of the year because she rescues people from danger, always wants to do the right thing, and has super human powers.

The number one reason we are endorsing Athena for national hero of the year is because she rescues people from danger. A good example of this is when she rescued Odysseus from Poseidon’s storm. Homer writes, “A heavy sea covered him over, then and there unlucky Odysseus would have met his death—against the will of Fate—but the bright-eyed one inspired him yet again” (V, 479-482). Unlike Athena, Poseidon would not be a good choice for national hero of the year because he holds grudges. He makes the storm to kill Odysseus because he is holding a grudge against him for blinding his son. This quote shows how harsh Poseidon is, “ But just as great Odysseus thrashed things out, Poseidon god of the earthquake launched a colossal wave, terrible, murderous, arching over him, pounding down on him, hard as a windstorm blasting piles of dry parched chaff, scattering flying husks—so the long planks of his boat were scattered far and wide” (V, 402-407). By rescuing Odysseus Athena has proved herself the rightful winner of national hero of the year.

The second reason Athena should be the Odyssey’s national hero of the year is because she is always striving to do the right thing. She never wants to see Odysseus’s family upset, so she does the right thing in comforting Penelope when she is sad. Homer writes, “And again the bright-eyed goddess Pallas thought of one more way to help. She made a phantom now, its build like a woman’s build, Iphthime’s, yes, another daughter of generous Lord Icarius, Eumelus’ bride, who made her home in Pherae. Athena sped her on to King Odysseus’ house to spare Penelope, worn with pain and sobbing, further spells of grief and storms of tears” (IV, 893-900). Poseidon on the other hand doesn’t care what happens to Odysseus or his family. He probably wants all of them dead. Zeus explains to Athena, “No, it’s the Earth-Shaker, Poseidon, unappeased, forever fuming against him for the Cyclops whose giant eye he blinded” (I, 81-83). When she comforted Penelope, Athena shows why she should win this award.

The final reason why Athena should win the national hero of the year award is because of her super powers that she uses for good. She uses these powers when she disguises herself as Mentor when traveling with Telemachus. She uses her powers again when she gives Telemachus the courage to speak in front of others. Homer describes the situation, “Poised Telemachus answered, filled with heart, the heart Athena herself inspired, to ask for the news about his father, gone so long, and make his name throughout the mortal world” (III, 84-87). Even though Poseidon has super powers, he doesn’t use them for good. He’s usually trying to kill Odysseus. By using her powers only for good Athena has showed that she should be national hero of the year.

In conclusion, Athena uses her super powers, rescues people from danger, and always does the right thing. All these things make up a hero and all these things make up Athena. This is why you should vote for Athena for the Odyssey national hero of the year. She won’t let you down!