I have looked at three different versions of Homer's
The Odyssey, Book 24, and have found questions by Athena (Athene)
to her father Zeus, but they are not unanswered, at the end of the book. Fitzgerald's
translation is not available on line that I can find, but the three translations I have
read tell the same tale.
Athena's questions are, based on
www.ellopos.net, are as follows:
Now Athene spake to Zeus, the son of Cronos,
saying: 'O Father, our father Cronides, throned in the highest, answer and tell me what
is now the hidden counsel of thy heart? Wilt thou yet further rouse up evil war and the
terrible din of battle, or art thou minded to set them at one again in
friendship?'
In essence,
perhaps Athena is looking for her father's guidance, approval, or both. He is, after
all, father to all of the gods, and to mankind itself (according to Greek mythology).
Perhaps she also realizes that at this point of Odysseus' very long journey home from
the Trojan War, that Zeus' help might be necessary to guarantee that Odysseus' trials
finally come to an end.
Zeus responds to his daughter,
reminding her that she has been leading the affairs of Odysseus,
guiding him and interceding for him for all these years. Zeus does
offer advice that the "better" way to end the fighting that is threatened by the family
members of the unwelcome suitors Odysseus killed is try to make get both sides to form a
covenant (promise) to bring harmony between them so that Odysseus may reign in peace for
the remainder of his days.
Athena does
assist Odysseus in reaching this goal, while also minimizing further
bloodshed.
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