Deceit Through The Classes In Homer's Odyssey

Deceit Through The Classes In The Odyssey Trickery and deceit play a huge part in The Odyssey. Gods, heros, and lesser characters all participate in deceiving others. Due to their different classes though, consequences to the lies vary. Gods normally get away with it if their intentions are pure. Heroes can have some consequences, but for the most part people understand and forgive them easily. Lesser characters have more consequences due to the fact that they are lower class. Athena, Odysseus, and Penelope are some of the most deceitful characters in The Odyssey. Societal status and intention greatly affect the way people react to deceit and lies in The Odyssey. Athena, the godess of wisdom, frequently uses her powers to change her appearance. …show more content…
Thinking Odysseus would never return from war, suitors began to court Penelope. Still faithful and optimistic of her husband's return, she told them that after she finished her weave she would pick a suitor. Every day she would weave and every night she would undo it. This deceit, unlike Athena's and Odysseus's, carried on for three years (2.97). This was one of many ways Penelope tricked the suitors and postponing her marriage to one of them. Although Penelope is considered high class due to her marriage to Odysseus, she is still a lesser character in the poem. Due to this, there were more consequences to her deceitfulness than either Athena or Odysseus. The suitors did not appreciate being tricked multiple times and waiting around for her. They were very rude and did not respect Odysseus's home. The suitors felt "victomized" even though they had no right to feel that way considering how they were treating Odysseus's family and home (2.94-101). Societal status has everything to do with how deceit and trickery is handled in The Odyssey. Gods and well known heros are forgiven quickly while lower class, insignificant characters are more likely to have consequences to their actions. Athena was immediately forgiven of her lies due to the fact that she is a high standing goddess. Odysseus had a little repercussions, was still forgiven soon after his reveal. In Penelope's case, the suitors stayed angry and hateful to her and her family's

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