Beginning in medias res, The Odyssey succeeds the events of The Iliad. Prior to Telemachus’s introduction, Homer develops tension by telling of Odysseus’s tribulations—held captive by the “great nymph Kalypso”(14) and torment by Poseidon, who was ceaseless in his anger”(20) for blinding his son, the “Cyclops”(70) “Polyphemos (70)” of returning to his beloved “home and wife”(14) revealed by the goddess Athene in her parley with her father, Zeus. In turn, the succession of Telemachus’s narrative discerns the chaos which has befallen Ithaca. As Odysseys’s character and narrative is introduced only in Book 5, the suspense builds on the existing complex poltline, and holds the fleeting attention of the reader. Odysseus’ lack of presence on Ithaka
In The Odyssey, the reader is easily able to distinguish that Odysseus is a hero in the story. He is a god-like figure. Odysseus’s wife, Penelope, is a hero and seen by many readers as such especially females. Both possess characteristics of heroes and they deserve to be considered such but that does not mean that they are the true hero of the story. Their son Telemachus is the true hero in The Odyssey. The reader should be able to identify with him the most and realize everything that has happened in his life and he deals with it with extreme heroism. He handles the situation in his life the way every human being should.
Your topic of gaining courage is a fitting description for Telemachus, as he develops more confidence in his role in adulthood. Initially, Athena’s words set forth words of familial responsibility in lines 300-304 with, “Telemachus, you’ll lack neither courage nor sense from this day on, not if your father’s spirit courses through your veins-now there was a man, I’d say, in words and action both!” (Homer, trans. 1996). Athena’s advice and encouragement to him remind him that because of his birthright Telemachus is destined to take the reigns of courage and not to live in fear amongst his mother’s suitors, but to claim his authority in his home. You also brought up important points regarding how the suitors insulted and taunted him, which led to his decision to venture off and look for his father.
If there is one disease worse than all others, it would be hubris. It is one sickness with no medicine except the mind. In The Odyssey, by Homer, Odysseus begins his journey, as a leader who believes he is unsurpassed in skill. Hubris turned him into a very conceited man and caused him to risk both his and his crew's lives. Later on in his journey, Odysseus was forced to grow and leave behind his overconfidence in order to become a successful leader. And Telemachus, his son, grew up without a father, while constantly tending to his mother. Telemachus set out on a journey to find his father, but returned as a more grown up and mature man. Change is not the impossible, but it is only attained when one realizes they cannot grow without it.
Homer’s The Odyssey tells the story of young Telemachus with the task of finding his father, Odysseus while also finding himself. As the hero of this journey, Telemachus develops into a noble, brave, and strong man, through complications inflicted by others’ mental endurance. By overcoming these obstacles Telemachus develops into the universally known stereotypical hero. However, the same cannot be said for the heroes of William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying and Lewis Carol’s Alice in Wonderland. At the end of their journeys, Jewel and Alice become different kinds of heroes; instead of becoming a stereotypical plucky adventurer, they each develop different traits to benefit themselves along their journey.
In The Odyssey, Homer shows the transition of Telemachus from a childish and a passive young man to a man worthy of being Odysseus’ son. Through the help of Athena, he learns different character traits and qualities such as bravery and cunning that helps him to mature into a man worth the title of a prince of Ithaca. Telemachus learns how to be authoritative, mature, display pious and exhibit humility. He is also influenced by the return of his father. Telemachus’ transition from a young man to a man worthy enough to be Odysseus’s son is shown as he acquires these traits.
Through modern culture, most people are familiar with the whole storyline of The Odyssey. Odysseus leaves Troy and embarks on an epic journey filled with adventure and fantasy. However, most readers are unaware that there are actually two journeys that are unfolding simultaneously throughout Homer’s epic. Telemachus’ journey greatly differs from that of his father, Odysseus. While it might not be filled with as much adrenaline and adventure as his father‘s journey, Telemachus’ quest is certainly one that should be noted since the first four books are dedicated to him. It is the story of Telemachus’ coming-of-age as he matures into a more capable young man. However, it is debatable if he will ever become the man that Odysseus is.
During the course of history, the world has seen many fine works of literature like Homer’s epic, Odyssey. This book is a standard against which to compare all literary novels. The symbolism permeates the pages drawing the reader into the intriguing plot that includes twists within the central theme. Also, the author intelligently uses imagery and diction painting dramatic images in the reader's mind - building upon major the themes.
Homer shows value to many Greek customs and traditions by including guest-host relations, strong beliefs of fidelity, and themes of justice and revenge.
Many novels can be about more than just one story. The novel, The Odyssey by Homer, is about Odysseus and his journey home from the Trojan War, however, throughout the novel, Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, also becomes a man. Telemachus becoming a man is displayed in many ways throughout the novel. Telemachus stood up for what he believed in. He was also smart about what he did and planned. Another way that Telemachus became a man was that he had his own ideas but he would still listen to others. The novel, The Odyssey, is a story about Telemachus’ journey into manhood.
When describing the tenacious Telemachus, son of Odysseus, to someone who has never read about the character, one should highlight his spirit. Early on in the book, Athena disguises herself as an old friend of Odysseus to deliver the news to his son that the great war hero still lives. Upon hearing this, Telemachus wastes little time in clearing out the disrespectful suitors chasing after his mother. He lashes out at the unwelcome men with articulate yet pointed words, “You suitors who plague my mother, you, you insolent, overweening… for this evening let us dine and take our pleasure, no more shouting now… But at first light we all march forth to assembly, take our seats so I can give my orders and say to you straight out: You must leave my
In the epic poem, The Odyssey, by Homer a boy named Telemachus is sent by the Gods to embark on a journey to find his father and bring him back home. When Telemachus is sent on his journey he stops in Pylos to talk to a friend of his father, Nestor who tells him of a story. Telemachus is told of this story to warn him of the journey ahead regarding his family dynamic and to have him not get his hopes up for his father to be alive. Telemachus has journeyed to Pylos to talk to Nestor about his father,Odysseus. When Nestor is telling his story regarding the rivalry between agamemnon and Menelaus he mentions Aegisthus: “While we toiled and sweated over there in Troy, He relaxed in a corner of bluegrass
The Odyssey is mainly about Odysseus and his hardships on his journey back home; however, the main character in the first four books is Telemachus, Odysseus’s son. Since the first four books are about Telemachus, they are called the Telemachy. During the Telemachy, Telemachus grows as a person and learns more about himself and his capabilities. With his motivation to find his father and with the assistance of Athena during his journey, Telemachus learns that he is not a child anymore, but an adult with responsibility and authority. Telemachus first shows the reader that he is not a child anymore with his actions when Athena visits him disguised as Lord Mentes.
Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey follows Odysseus on his long journey home. The Epic also includes the stories of Odysseus’ family left behind: the travels of his son, Telemachus, and how plenty, of what we would now call “home wreckers”, suitors pressured his wife, Penelope, into marrying one of them. The characters are beautifully crafted and the story is truly epic. All the elements presented can bring in any reader from any century, the Cyclops, the Gods, the trickery of Penelope, and the disguises of Odysseus, are all legendary literary hooks . There are many things to learn—about writing, about the world around us, the world ahead of us, and the past behind us—from The Odyssey. (26) It is undeniably evident that this ancient text has
One of the issues in Homers The Odyssey is understanding the role and function of the goddess Athena. The problem is most pronounced when examining Athena’s duality. She provides Odysseus both her counsel and assistance throughout the story yet she’s also the entity that keeps him exiled from his home. Athena’s role, similar to the other gods, is to correct apparent injustices. “Oh father Zeus and gods and bliss forever let no man holding scepter as a king think to be mild the fatherhood and mercy through his reign. Meanwhile he lives and grieves upon the island of the nymph…” Book 5 lines 9-21. These lines show that Athena is concerned about the injustice that surrounds Odysseus and his son. This suggests that gods can become active in the role of mortals and may aid them to correct inequity through their fate. This paper will explore the obligations Athena had to ensure Odysseus’ voyage home safely as well as the thematic importance of fate in The Odyssey and the intervention and the power of the gods and goddesses. Fate is one of the occurring themes throughout the Odyssey, where the intervention of the gods and goddesses is common due to the triumphs of men and women.
“Mother I have great news to tell. Father has come back mother. He is here and defeated all the suitors when he shoot the bow,” Telemachus said with a cheering voice. Penelope broke into tears of joy and told Telemachus to tell her every detail that happened. Telemachus started and he knew that he was going to be sitting there for a long time. Telemachus started when his father told him the plan and how they will defeat more every single man that there was and how he shot the bow when nobody else could. He doubted everything because he could not possibly know how only four men would defeat more than 100 men together. But he was so honored for fighting one more time along side his father.