Coming Of Age In The Odyssey

The Four Great Themes are found in both the Iliad and the Odyssey. The themes; coming of age, fate, “hospitality” and women are all portrayed in some way throughout both Epics. Coming of Age is the main theme of the “Telemachy” but there are many other episodes to be noted throughout the Iliad and the Odyssey. One episode in the Iliad of Coming of Age occurs between Achilles and Thetis. Starting on page 161, line 117, Achilles states, “Yes, the warlord Agamemnon angered me. But we’ll let that be no matter how it hurts. And conquer our pride, because we must.” Achilles is telling his mother in other words, he is picking his battles wisely. He would rather leave the fight with Agamemnon alone and pursue the fight with Hector, after all Hector

Telemachus has been without a father for twenty years, and for some boys maturing is not as easy to do without a fatherly figure. Starting on page 494, in the Odyssey, Book XXI, lines 130-134, Telemachus intents to claim and defend for his father, “If I string [the bow] and shoot through all of the axes… [I’d be] man enough at last to win my father’s splendid prizes.” Telemachus feels as if he needs to keep Odysseus’s title as well as his property, including his mother. He knows he is the best candidate to restring the bow and that he must step up to the plate to keep the suitors from taking his father’s place. A few books later, Book XXIV, starting on line 564, Telemachus tells his father that he is a man and he will prove it to Odysseus, “If you care to watch, father… Disgrace you say? I won’t disgrace your line!” Now Telemachus has become angry and he is standing up to his father. Telemachus is ready to fight in battle and do whatever it takes to keep the family name in good standards. He has matured enough to fight alongside his father and grandfather. He doesn’t want to let his father down or be known as a coward, thus showing Telemachus’ Coming of