Athena In The Raven Essay

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Athena appeared throughout many myths in greek mythology, but there was forever a constant in that she was one of only three virgin goddesses. She was born of solely Zeus, out of his head and already fully armed and clothed. She was Zeus’ favorite child, he trusted her with his lightning bolt and allowed her to use his other weapons as well. Athena was the goddess of war as well as wisdom. Her bird is the owl and her city is Athens. One of the most important myths about Athena has to do with the Trojan War. Although in the beginning she did not want to interfere with the war and did not want it to happen either.She joined the war when an opponent shot an arrow, so she got angry and joined the Greek side. She was the reason that the Greeks won the war, she suggested that they use the Trojan Horse and got Nike to join their side. This shows both her wisdom and…show more content…
The poem in which Athena was alluded to in was “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe. In stanza seven, the author has, “Open[ed] here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore; Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he; But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door- Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door- Perched, and sat, and nothing more.” Poe describes that the raven has perched upon “a bust of Pallas.” Pallas is often another name used for Athens, or they are combined stating “Pallas Athena”. As shown, Athena is the goddess of wisdom, which is shown through the raven in the poem. The bird flies in the room and out of everywhere it could go, it chooses the bust of Athena. This leads to the assuming of the bird’s wisdom, although all it ever says is “Nevermore”, it is still meant to seem intelligent, which is pointed out through it landing on the goddess of

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