Relationship Between Telemachus And Odysseus

Although I know that you are not aware of the current events at the moment, but I have finally reunited with my heir, my beloved son Telemachus. Athena advised me to dress as a beggar when I return to Ithaca. She requested my dresscode to be this way so no one can target me once they realize what my rightful identity is. She also mentioned that your suitors, those disgraceful who have no shame and trying to replace me, have it in their minds to murder me so they have you, Telemachus, and our riches in their greedy hands.

In Book 3 of The Odyssey, Homer characterizes Telemachus as confident and authoritative, as demonstrated through his speech and physique, despite his initial self-uncertainty. In the process, Telemachus’ character transforms dramatically. At first, Telemachus was unconfident in his abilities to converse. He explicitly revealed this uncertainty to Athena as he states, “How can I greet him, Mentor, even approach the king? I’m hardly adept at subtle conversation” (Homer 108).

I believe Odysseus is alive. I believe my son, Telemachus is angry with the destruction in our home and won 't be able to stand for it much longer. I believe my power in my own home has been taken from me and there is nothing I can do about it. I love Odysseus. I love him so much that I know he must be alive.

Telemachus’ life serves as the gateway to Odysseus’ legacy. The egocentric nature in which Telemachus describes Odysseus’ assumed fate strengthens the idea that Odysseus’ legacy lies in Telemachus’ life on earth. The idea of “great fame for years to come” is reflected through Telemachus’ life because Telemachus is both the physical and the figurative link between Odysseus and the mortal, living world (Ody. I.279). Telemachus’ mention of the gods’ “vengeance” by killing Odysseus elaborates on a more general juxtaposition – the gods, who are immortal, control humans’ mortality (Ody. 272). However, the gods don’t have control over a legacy, as storytelling is a human activity.

273-275). This shows Telemachus being weak, because he has lost all hope for his father and his return and he also holds belief that his father, Odysseus is dead. This proves that Telemachus is still a boy in the beginning because, he is showing weakness by giving up and believing that Odysseus is dead and will never return. Another example of Telemachus being weak in the beginning is that he continues to lose hope and doubt his father 's return to Ithaca. Telemachus says, “Eurymachus, clearly my father 's journey home is lost forever/

Ulysses finally after ten years of storm, shipwreck, and sorceries arrived in Ithaca, his home. Ulysses found his old good friend Eumaeus and he pretended to be an old begger so he could gather information on what was his status on the island after all the years he had been gone. Ulysses continued to pretend to be an old beggar, but when he saw his son, Telemachus he told him that he was his father, Ulysses. Ulysses, Telemachus, and Eumaeus headed to the castle where laid Penelope's suitors who wished for her hand in marriage. They came up with a plan to defeat all the suitors.

All through The Odyssey, the characters develop in a certain way that interchanges the outcome of the book. Odysseus is able to develop knowledge and wisdom to deal with his men during the battle and the suitors who were frustrating his wife. In addition, he came back home as a hero after the Trojan War. Telemachus developed into a mature man who could deal with any problem in his father’s absence. However, based on the story, it is evident that, Telemachus demonstrates a great change basing upon the times the characters were away from Ithaca.

He acts extremely self centered, self righteous and all important. Odysseus does not show any respect for his men after everything they have been through. This is after the Cyclopes after they sailed away. He does not take any responsibility for what happened at the cyclopes land. Even though a mature person would have already taken responsibility for what happened.

In the novel, The Odyssey translated by Robert Fitzgerald, Telemachus gives a speech to Ithaca. He argues to the suitors about disrespecting his father Odysseus’ home even though they think Odysseus is dead and will never come home. Courageously, from the heart, Telemachus goes up against the suitors to state control over the key social practices of marriage hospitality. Telemachus’ speech was effective because it showed pathos, logos, and ethos. Telemachus looks and acts the part of his father, astonishing those who presumably knew him as a boy.

In The Odyssey, by Homer, Athena influences the lives of Odysseus and his family. In Greek mythology, gods challenge and control mortals. Gods also provide support to mortals and thus, mortals depend and act on behalf of the gods and their decisions. Athena, daughter of Zeus, is the goddess of wisdom, and both Telemachus and Odysseus benefit from her power. Athena possesses the ability to disguise herself and others, and this skill allows her to give advice and guidance.

Once Telemachus recognizes his father because of Odysseus’s appearance change their reuniting is described as: They both wailed aloud, as insistently as birds, like two sea eagles or hawks with curving talons whose young chicks have been carried off by country folk before being fully fledged. That’s how those two men let tears of sorrow fall from underneath their eyes (Ian Johnston) This simile compares Odysseus and his son to birds “whose young chicks have been carried off” who “let tears of sorrow fall from underneath their eyes”. Giving us a clear understanding of what the feelings are between Odysseus and Telemachus. In the simile, they are both the birds and their chicks.

Journey to Maturity The Odyssey by Homer recognizes the importance of maturity throughout the epic poem, applied from Telemachus, as he grows from a weak, scared boy to a strong, responsible man who develops newly found skills, overcomes various obstacles, and reflects on his need to approach his problems as Homer showcases Telemachus as a prime example of maturation as he finds his father and fights alongside him to slay the suitors. Telemachus expresses maturation by achieving his goals, learning from his mistakes and experiences, taking risks, being strong, courageous, and confident, as well as enduring hardship to claim honor in the end. Telemachus trains to achieve his goal of finding his father. He matures with the help of many characters

After Telemachus and his father share a reunion, he leads his father to his house. Upon arrival, Odysseus disguises himself as a beggar and finds that the house has been taken over by sires trying to court his wife as a result of his actions. After completing Athena’s task, Odysseus reveals himself to his wife. However, Odysseus finds it very difficult to convince his wife that he has truly come back. When Odysseus reveals something no one else knows, Penelope runs to him and throws her arms around him.

The most important relationship is the one between Odysseus and Telémachus because there relationship drives a lot of the plot of the epic poem. Homer draws attention to the significance of their relationship when he writes that “Then, throwing his arms around this marvel of a father Telémachus began to weep. Salt tears rose from the wells of longing in both men, and cries burst from both as keen and fluttering as those of the great taloned hawk, whose nestlings fathers take before they fly. So helplessly they cried, pouring out tears, and might have gone on weeping so till sundown” (Homer 296). This quote shows reunion of Odysseus and Telémachus.

Their father-son relationship is the most important of all throughout the Odysseus and this is proven time and again throughout the entire body of work. Their relationship is not only important to the story itself but to the themes as well. Family is the fundamental principle that not only they have but that the entire family has. Penelope is especially worried for her son as he is not at home and the suitors have planned to kill him on the sea before he can reach home. Xenia has also been passed down to Telemachus even though Odysseus wasn’t there.