"Where’s it gone, Odysseus – your power, your fighting heart?
The great soldier who fought for famous white-armed Helen,
battling Trojans nine long years – nonstop, no mercy,
mowing their armies down in grueling battle –
you who seized the broad streets of Troy
with your fine strategic stroke! How can you –
now you’ve returned to your own house, your own wealth –
bewail the loss of your combat strength in a war with suitors?"
– Homer
The Odyssey, Book 22, lines 236-243. Athena, who remains protector and guardian towards Odysseus’ family throughout The Odyssey, is often regarded as a symbol of female empowerment. Here she reacts angrily to Odysseus’ cry for help from Mentor (Athena disguised), as his morale suffers in the fight against the superior force of suitors. She both taunts and inspires Odysseus, so that he finds the courage that he had when he fought the Trojans all those years ago, and uses it now to defeat the suitors.