Confirmation 1

Odyssey Book 13 line 271-274 Barry B Powell
Odyssey Book 13 line 275-282 Barry B Powell

Odysseus doesn't want to reveal his identity to the shepherd, so he tells him a fake story. Then Homer writes:

So Odysseus spoke, and flashing-eyed Athena, the Goddess, smiled, and she stroke him with her hand and changed her shape to that of a woman, beautiful and tall and skilled in glorious handiwork.

Odysseus has just told a pack of lies to a complete stranger and Athena apparently reacts approvingly and reveals her true nature, well Athena? I think we should read this as inner monologue:

He would have to be clever and thievish in fact if he was going to surpass you in every sort of trickery, even if a god encountered you! Rascal, Fancy-thinker! Insatiate for deception! You were not about to leave off your deceiving tales and thievish lies even in your own country, which you love from the bottom of your heart. But come, let us not speak further of these things. We are, the two of us, master in deception. Of mortals, you are by far the best in counsel and in telling tales, and I among all the gods am famous for my wisdom and devices.

It accurately describes Odysseus' nature, after all he is the man who came up with the idea to build the Trojan horse, who returned to Ithaca with more gifts than he looted and lost on his way back from Troy. He is shrewd by nature and has regained his confidence in 'Athena', his wisdom has been confirmed. Odysseus is ready to take the next step.

Cape Lougi