Athena, Thinking of Odysseus

Then, the goddess Athena, with her shining eyes, answered him. "My father, Cronus, son of Titans, ruler of all, It is only right that that man should meet his ruin. If others do the same things, then let them all perish. But when I think of wise Odysseus, my heart aches for him, The unfortunate one, far from those he loves, enduring long hardships, On an island surrounded by sea, where the center of the ocean lies. It is a wooded island, where a goddess has her dwelling, The daughter of Atlas, who possesses a fearsome spirit. Atlas knows the depths of all the seas and supports himself the towering pillar that holds up both earth and sky on either side. That daughter keeps him there, holding back that pitiable man, always charming him with soft and skillful words, trying to make him forget Ithaca. But Odysseus longs to see the smoke rising from his own land, and he even wishes for death. Yet, your heart remains unmoved, O Olympian gods? Did not Odysseus sacrifice to please you alongside the ships of the Argives, on the wide plains of Troy? Zeus, why are you so angry with him?"

Simple Japanese

Athena appeals to Zeus, asking him to help Odysseus. He is being held on an island surrounded by the sea, by the daughter of Atlas. She tries to make him forget Ithaca with her clever words, but Odysseus continues to think of his homeland and suffers so much that he would rather die if he could return. Athena asks why Zeus is so angry at him, considering that he sacrificed to Zeus in Troy.

Translation Note

• Athena: A goddess who appeals to Zeus about Odysseus's hardships and urges his return. Here, she speaks of the pain in her heart for Odysseus and recounts the sacrifice made to Zeus in Troy.

• Atlas: Described as one who knows the depths of the sea and holds the pillars that support heaven and earth. He is also the father of Calypso.

• The navel of the sea: An expression comparing the center of the sea to a belly button. Athena uses this phrase to emphasize the location of the island where Odysseus has been suffering for so long.

• Argosian forces: A poetic term referring to the Greek forces. Here, it depicts the scene where sacrifices were offered to Zeus near the Trojan ships.

• Spacious Troy: The place name used by Athena when she asks Zeus if Odysseus made a sacrifice in Troy.