Deception is defined as a cunning procedure or practice intended to deceive or defraud. People tend to think of it as a sinister action. No matter how sinister it may be, it can also be used to gain information and knowledge. How a person uses deception varies from person to person. In general, smarter people tend to use deception very effectively. Odysseus masters deception in the Odyssey by disguising himself. Odysseus is not alone because Athena also uses disguises. That said, disguises allow Odysseus to be able to kill suitors. Athena was equally important in cross-dressing because she played such an important role in killing suitors. She did this by disguising herself as other people to help Odysseus return to Ithaca by killing the suitors. There were certainly many opportunities for Athena to use disguises to help Odysseus. For example, Athena's first disguise was to help Telemachus gain information about his father's whereabouts. If Telemachus were to find his father, this would in turn lead Telemachus to help Odysseus. Because it was Telemachus and Ulysses who fought against the suitors; executing all those who defiled Ulysses' palace. What was this disguise assumed by Athena? He chose none other than the leader of the Tafi: Mentes. Athena disguises herself as Mind to inform Telemachus that Odysseus is still alive. After informing Telemachus that his father is very much alive, Athena tells Telemachus to take action to find Odysseus: “To you, here is my advice. It's valid and I hope you'll take it. Choose your best ship, equip it with twenty oarsmen, and set out to inquire about your long-absent father. (page 10, line 279) With this advice, Telemachus stands...... in the center of the sheet......Odysseus deflecting the six spears thrown at him by the suitors. “The six did as he ordered and threw with all their might. But Athena missed the entire volley. (pg. 294, line 257) With this, he was able to successfully (and safely) eliminate the suitors from his palace. Without Athena's help, the spears would likely have struck Odysseus, most likely killing him. But the strong goddess Athena did not let this happen to Odysseus. Instead, he was always there to watch over Ulysses in his many disguises. Many fear disguises because they are mysterious and unknown. Humans have an aversion to the unknown because it is intangible. Although humans are afraid of disguises, that doesn't mean they can't use them. In fact, it will prove useful because a person in disguise is shown a completely different world from another person's shoes.