The Most Powerful Characters in "The Odyssey" Are Women

"The most powerful characters in The Odyssey are women." Argue for or against this proposition using examples from the text; please limit evidence to two or three episodes only.
The word powerful can be looked at in several ways; it can be regarded as strength, knowledge, control, and beauty. All these forms of power are repeatedly illustrated within The Odyssey. A key observation with respect to power is that women are undoubtedly the most powerful characters in The Odyssey. Their characteristics parallel many of aforementioned definitions of power. Athena is a key example of a woman that is ultimately the personification of power. Furthermore, Circe possesses many traits that would unquestionably classify her as extremely powerful as well. This essay will evaluate these women with respect to their power and influence within the story to convey that women are essentially the most powerful characters in the Odyssey.
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