Christopher Nolan's take on The Odyssey has sparked a few different debates, but fans are still wondering whether or not Zendaya's Athena was a manifestation of guilt, or physically aiding Odysseus like Homer's epic poem.
The question was posed in the subreddit r/ChristopherNolan, and given the way she's portrayed in the film... it's more than valid. In the epic poem, she appears as a sort of mentor and protector to Odysseus on his journey home. She disguises him as an old man when he returns to Ithaca, so that he is able to compete in the bow competition for Penelope's affection without revealing himself at first. She also makes a deal with Zeus to stop all of the suitors from killing each other and wreaking havoc on the island.
