The Odyssey
?Tactical Trickery?
Tactic, n. ?An expedient for achieving a goal; a maneuver.? (American Heritage College Dictionary, co.2000) Tactics are important strategies that a person can devise and employ in order to earn what they strive for. In warfare as well as other ?sticky situations?, tactics often prove to be a salvation. In his epic the Odyssey, Homer studies the use of tactics through three specific characters: Odysseus, Athena, and Penelope.
Athena, the mythological Greek goddess of warfare, was known for her strategic planning. Aware of this, Homer highlights this fact through her actions in the Odyssey. In preparation for Odysseus? visit to the Phaiakians, Athena disguises herself as a crier of the king, letting the people know that Odysseus, famous war hero, was coming. (289) Pouring ?her grace out upon him,? Athena impresses the Phaiakians with Odysseus? splendor. (290) She uses these tactics to ensure that the suspicious Phaiakian people will help Odysseus and his men. Later, Athena discloses her role to Odysseus. ??I who made the Phaiakians befriend you?I planned it so.? (368) Homer uses Athena?s tactics such as this to prove that
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