The deity inclined to assist Odysseus on his homeward journey is:

• A. Zeus
• B. Poseidon
• C. Athena
• D. Hermes

Answer: (C)

The main idea tested is which deity is most inclined to help Odysseus get home. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, is his principal divine ally in the Odyssey. She consistently supports his quest with guidance, clever plans, and protection, and she also mentors Telemachus to begin his own search for news of his father. She often appears in disguise to offer practical counsel and helps shape events so Odysseus can return safely and restore order in Ithaca. While Zeus oversees the gods and can authorize actions, and Hermes aids in a particular rescue, it is Athena who repeatedly drives and sustains Odysseus’s homeward journey. Poseidon, by contrast, keeps obstructing him, making Athena’s support especially crucial.