Minerva is the goddess of wisdom and warfare. She epitomizes the qualities of skillful planning, bravery, motivation, intelligence, and judiciousness—all of which are qualities found in Ulysses. Ulysses almost represents the mortal version of the goddess Minerva. She finds the similarities between them amusing and tells him so when she is disguised as a shepherd:
O still the same Ulysses! (she rejoin'd,)
In useful craft successfully refined!
Artful in speech, in action, and in mind!
Sufficed it not, that, thy long labours pass'd,
Secure thou seest thy native shore at last?
But this to me? who, like thyself, excel
In arts of counsel and dissembling well;
To me? whose wit exceeds the powers divine,
No less than mortals are surpass'd by thine.
Their similarities are likely the reason why Homer chooses Minerva to play a divine guardian to Ulysses. She may not always be physically present to help him when he's in trouble, but she provides support when he needs help. She persuades her father, Jove, to release Ulysses from the nymph Calypso's captivity. She also guides Telemachus on his search for Ulysses, and she ensures that Princess Nausicaa finds him. When Ulysses finally returns to Ithaca, she disguises him to protect him from potential thieves and enemies who want his throne.
