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How Does Telemachus Show Loyalty In The Odyssey

Decent Essays

In the poem, “The Odyssey,” Homer depicts an epic poem which takes place in

720 B.C. In the era Homer talks about a royal family in ancient Greece that is being

ran out of their palace while their king is gone. They are being ran out by suitors who

seek to court the mother and queen, Penelope. The only man capable of stopping

this is the son Telemachus who is forced to grow up and mature quickly. Regardless,

Telemachus struggles without his father Odysseus who left twenty years ago to battle

in Troy, but now Odysseus faces trials as he journeys back to his family. Odysseus is

put up against trials due to his dishonor to the god Poseidon. This the plot of the of

the poem, however it's not the primary message of the poem. “The …show more content…

Eurycleia looks to support Odysseus still even when times are

doubtful or urgent. It’s a loyalty for loyalty concept. Loyalty is earned by giving it, like

love is given for the return of love itself. Furthermore, loyalty is again shown by

another character in “The Odyssey,” his name is Phemius. Phemius was a bard

spared by the mercy of Telemachus’s word and Odyssey’s grace. Phemius was

forced upon his will by the suitors to come to Odysseus’s palace,

however, Telemachus notices that Phemius never had intentions to stand against his

father so Telemachus has Odysseus spare Phemius as gratitude for Phemius’s

display of loyalty. “Dismiss your fears. My son has saved you so that you may know

in your heart and tell others that doing right is a much better policy than doing

wrong” (Homerlines 371-374). This quote displays loyalty by the character Phemius

who has shown loyalty to Odysseus. Even though Odysseus was originally going to

kill Phemius, Telemachus found favor in Phemius because of his loyalty. Loyalty was

found in Phemius in the sense that he remained true to not wronging Odysseus,

regardless of the pressure and force the suitors applied to Phemius. As a …show more content…

Now, in the book, “Of Mice and

Men,” authored by John Steinbeck. A story is portrayed with two main characters,

George and Lennie who both have the dream of owning a ranch with their wantings

and desires. To accomplish this they must get past obstacles and trials in life as well

as remaining loyal and banded to one another to succeed. Lennie is the character in

“Of Mice and Men” who best displays his loyalty through actions and words. “I was

only foolin George. I don't want no ketchup. I wouldn't eat no ketchup if it was right

here beside me.” “If I was here, you could have some.” “But I wouldn't eat none,

George. I'd leave it all for you. You could cover your beans with it and I wouldn't touch

none of it” (Steinbeck). In this scene Lenny has no regards to his needs but rather to

that of his companion. Lenny displays Loyalty here in the form that he looks to

support George under any situation. In this case Lenny supports George willing to

give up his wantings for George while simultaneously taking no interest to even get a

bit of interest. Here the chemistry of allegiance and unison between can be seen

between George and Lenny. George has treated Lenny with respect therefore

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