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Odysseus Role in the Odyssey

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In Homer’s, “The Odyssey”, Odysseus struggles to return home not only to rejoin his wife Penelope and son Telemakhos but also to fulfill his duty as ruler and legend. As Odysseus struggles homeward, the idea of his true self and what defines him shifts. His longing for family and sovereignty serves, at times, as a raging fire that propels him home. At other times it seems to be lost in the shadows of his adventures. At the end, when all conflicts are resolved and Odysseus is reunited with his wife and son, He becomes the Odysseus that is truly himself. We learn that a united family can overcome any obstacles and that true devotion and dedication will triumph in the end. Odysseus’ true self is defined by four terms. The first is …show more content…

Having her husband home with her makes having to tend to the suitors and put up with their abuse seem unimportant. Their love conquered everything in the end. This love is key to understanding who Odysseus truly is.
In Book 23, “Death in the Great Hall”, we clearly get an idea of the father-son relationship Odysseus now has with Telemakhos. They must devise a plan to kill the suitors. Odysseus lays out the plans and proposes to go around and test servants for loyalty before taking back their house, but Telemakhos shows his good judgement when he proposes a change to the plan to the plan: to kill the suitors first since they are using up all of Odysseus' resources. This change is accepted by Odysseus which shows that Telemakhos is as wise in planning as Odysseus. Odysseus' relationship with his son is that of equals now that Odysseus is able to watch over Telemakhos' further education ensuring that he will one day be a good successor. Odysseus, Penelope and Telemakhos stand strong against the world: “We three stand / ready to follow you and fight. I say / for what out strength avails, we have the courage.” (Homer 433 lines 144-146). A strong family is of great importance since it is through family that values and education are best handed down from generation to generation. Treating Telemakhos as an equal signifies that Odysseus has respect for his son and is ready to educate him so that he can become a great leader. Odysseus' family is portrayed as a

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