Homer's Odyssey challenges the common view of deception as employed only with malice. Both a mortal, Odysseus, and one of the most revered goddesses, Athena, have the noble common goal of bringing Odysseus home to his family after nearly two decades of absence. To achieve this, they primarily use deception and disguise in the various forms permitted by their physical and mental powers. Odysseus is famous for wittily deceiving others through verbal means, a fact noted by Menelaus and Helen of Troy (Book 4). He even doubts Athena, as his own abilities have made him doubt the honesty of others. Athena, after realizing Odysseus's disbelief, states: “Would not another wandering man, with joy, hasten home to his wife and children? Not you, not yet" (8, 420-422). Odysseus wants to ensure that Athena provides him with substantial evidence regarding his family and his return because "empty words are evil" (4.891). After this exchange, when Odysseus discovers that he and Athena are on the same team, they use those skills to discover the truth about things or people's characters and return home. From the beginning to the end of the Odyssey, Athena and Odysseus use physical disguise to disguise themselves. ensure that justice and truth prevail. Athena uses her infinite powers of disguise to change status, gender, and age and appear as the Mentor, a little girl, a “young man figure,” and more (3.281). While all cases of disguise are essential to helping Odysseus get home, the Mentor disguise seems to be the most important. In Book 2, Athena transforms into the "form and voice of the Mentor" as a strategy to persuade Telemachos to believe in his potential and pursue the journey before him (2. 425). Mentor is in fact a person here, guardian of Telemachos and companion of Ulysses in banter...... middle of paper ...... in deception and resemblance to her: “Two of the same kind, we are, intriguing, both. Of all living men you are the best at plotting and storytelling. My fame is also for wisdom among the deceptions of the gods” (8. 379-383). It is as if Athena represented these celestial qualities, while Odysseus represented them on earth. Athena also exclaims to Odysseus: “He who prowls you must be as sharp and cunning as a serpent; even a god might bow to you in a dissimulating way. You! Chameleon! A bottomless bag of tricks!” (8. 371-375). It is not surprising that Odysseus and Athena gather strength and wits on this journey, nothing can stand in the way of their return home. Thousands of years later, the Odyssey is proof of this. Works Cited Homer and Robert Fitzgerald. The Odyssey. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1998. Print.