In Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, Odysseus receives a great deal of aid from Athena, the goddess of wisdom and battle, during his long journey home. Yet, Athena also seems to ignore his troubles throughout the poem, and thus contributes to a major misconception that Athena's character is conflicted because of her many changes of heart towards Odysseus. Athena helps Odysseus a great deal, but why does she allow him to go through such hardships and perils? Although Athena appears fickle from Odysseus' point of view, if one looks at Athena from her own point of view, the goddess is very consistent. Athena's seemingly fragmented character is unified by her confidence in Odysseus' self-worth and potential, her desire to see him realize that potential and learn something about himself through his journey home, and her aid in his rebirth as a new man.

The beginning of the epic...