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Comparing Odysseus And Telemachus In Homer's The Odyssey

487 Words2 Pages

The Odyssey
The Odyssey is one of the most famous epic poems out there and it’s written by Homer. The Odyssey follows two characters, Odysseus and Telemachus, who have their own journeys which then eventually both journeys collide. Odysseus’s journey is about him trying to make it back to his homeland, Ithaca, whereas Telemachus’s journey is about him searching for news about his father and trying to grow up to become the man everyone hopes for him to be. Since the book focuses on these two characters, I have learned a lot about Telemachus as well as Odysseus. However, Telemachus’s character interests me more which is why he is also my favorite character. Telemachus’s character is interesting because his character development is impressive and his personality is unique, unlike all the other characters.
Being a young boy and not seeing your father for 20 years is probably really harsh. At the palace, the suitors are feasting every day without acknowledging Telemachus. Penelope, Telemachus’s mother, hardly comes out of her bedchamber. Telemachus, being the only child, was left all alone with the responsibility of trying to manage the household. At the beginning of the book, Telemachus can barely speak up for himself and didn’t dare to raise his voice at the suitors. He didn’t even give orders at his own …show more content…

His personality is very different from the rest. Additionally, he seemed to care about others. For example, when Theoclymenus approached Telemachus and asked for his refuge, Telemachus didn’t refuse and he gladly let him on his ship. Another example would be when he didn’t let the beggar (Odysseus) give him his seat which shows that Telemachus isn’t arrogant or selfish. He also didn’t care about gifts. When Athena told Telemachus that they should go back to Ithaca, receiving gifts was the last thing on his mind. The only reason why he stayed was because Pisistratus said

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Telemachus’ loyalty “The Essential Odyssey”, A story about Odysseus and his journey to get home after the war and to save his family from the suitors who have invaded his home. The author uses loyalty as a common theme throughout the book, but the strongest showing of loyalty is Telemachus and his loyalty to his family. A clear example of loyalty is in the character Telemachus, the son of Godlike Odyessus and Penelope. He is smart, selfless, and a skilled strategist, but the most common trait he shows in this book is loyalty. Although he is not a strong warrior, he finds other ways to protect his family through his courage and intellect.

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366 Words | 2 Pages

I chose the word “loyal” to best describe the character Telemachus because if his bravery and loyalty to his father. In the book Odyssey written by Homer,Telemachus waits for his father for twenty years and when he return he stood by his father side in battle against the people that tried to marry his mother. This shows where his loyalty had lied. Telemachus is loyal for his courage to stand in for his father while he was away and him helping him during a battle.

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239 Words | 1 Pages

At the beginning of The Odyssey, Odysseus’ son Telemachus is immature and helpless; however, through the lessons he learned on his journey, he matures into a stronger young man. Telemachus sees Mentes, who is actually a disguised Athena, for the first time in the beginning of The Odyssey. “First by far to see her was Prince Telemachus, sitting among the suitors, heart obsessed with grief.” (1.132-3) Here, Telemachus, one of novice experience in dealing with life crises weeps and wishes that his father could come back and deal with those residing in their household, rather than facing the suitors that feast on what little is left of Odysseus’ inventory. The suitors are finally getting on newly brazen Telemachus’ nerves, “But self-possessed

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160 Words | 1 Pages

The Relationship between Telemachus and Odysseus his father is very different. First off, Telemachus has really never met his father but there is still some relation there. Telemachus longs to meet his father and have a relationship. It is very clear that Telemachus struggles to come to the fact that his father has been away for so long and questions at the beginning of the books if he will every come home. Once Telemachus is told by Athena in disguise that his father is still alive ( lines 220-228 in Fagles) he longs on a journey to try and find his dad to see if he is alive.

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1532 Words | 7 Pages

Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, displays the frequent literary tool known as a hero's journey shown through Odysseus and Telemachus, often drawing a comparison between the two. A hero's journey is defined as a hero who journeys on an adventure, along the way learning a lesson and winning the overarching conflict of the journey. Odysseus’ hero's journey starts in Homer’s epic, The Iliad, which depicts Odysseus’ call to adventure with the start of the Trojan War. On the contrary, Telemachus’ hero's journey is fully shown in The Odyssey, with his call to action being to find his father, Odysseus, who has been gone 20 years. Both Odysseus and Telemachus learn a lesson throughout their journey.

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555 Words | 3 Pages

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.

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653 Words | 3 Pages

The following quote is Zeus talking to the other gods in Olympus, he says, “Orestês, as you know, had just killed the man.”  This quote is Zeus explaining  that Orestês had avenged his father by killing Aegisthus. Another quote is “But if you are determined to murder me with the sharp bronze, then that would be my wish also, since it would be far better than to have to go on watching forever these shameful activities, guests being battered about, or to see you rudely mishandling the serving all about the beautiful palace.” This shows us that Telemachus has indeed picked up on his father’s lessons on honor. He is willing to defend himself and the palace against the suitors.

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342 Words | 2 Pages

The heroic qualities of Telemakhus are patience, boldness, and intelligence. Telemakhus is patient as he waits for his father's arrival. While waiting for his father, Telemakhus takes care of his mother and their home. He also has to deal with the uninvited suitors and unfaithful servants (Homer 19-29). He patiently waits for his father for twenty years.

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1524 Words | 7 Pages

Telemachus Growing into a Strong Mature Man Samuel Ullman, an American businessman and poet, once said, “Maturity is the ability to think, speak, and act your feelings within the bounds of dignity.” Samuel’s words hold true in Homer 's The Odyssey. In this extraordinary poem, Telemachus, the Son of Penelope, queen of Ithaca, and Odysseus, king of Ithaca. While Odysseus is at war fighting, Telemachus losing fait about his father coming home. He soon starts to question that he could be dead or alive.

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665 Words | 3 Pages

Although he is young, Telemachus is technically the "man of the house" and by Greek gender standards has control over his mother. The suitors know this as they suggest that Telemachus is prolonging the situation by not "sending his mother away with orders to marry" (124). Somehow this is a credible argument to the suitors and they vow to "eat you [him] out of the house" (134) essentially squandering all their resources until Penelope decides to marry one of the suitors. Furthermore, they disrespect Telemachus by saying "your inheritance is going down the drain and will never be restored" (223) and "you've got some nerve laying the blame on us when the suitors aren't at fault it's your mother" (93-95). The suitors try to convince Telemachus that he has no right to be angry and that he's in this situation because of his mother.

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677 Words | 3 Pages

She instructs him to “sail in quest of news of your long-lost father.” (86). Using her disguise, Athena reaches Telemachus and offers him wisdom. Telemachus takes this advice to heart and sets out to find his father. By offering this information about Odysseus, Athena inspires Telemachus.

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1474 Words | 6 Pages

At the end of the story, it is evident that, the character of Telemachus is fully developed. He is no longer the young powerless and weak boy who his mother’s suitors took advantage of in his father’s absence. At the end of the text, he depicts a character with great change after leaving Ithaca and in his own odyssey; he was able to prove his worth. Telemachus is a character who undergoes constant transformation and development throughout The Odyssey. His expedition was an initiation into the heroic world of his father, and a voyage that managed to endow him with the familiarity and essential virtues needed to become a future monarch.

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948 Words | 4 Pages

In his journey, he gets help from Athena and wise knowledge from Menelaus. He takes risks, shows strength, confidence, and responsibility towards the end as he fights alongside his father. After enduring hardships and overcoming obstacles, Telemachus evidently matured into a man who made his father

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402 Words | 2 Pages

Telemachus is not happy about this. As Penelope tried to decide what song the bard should sing for the suitors, Telemachus sent her to her room, signaling the first time he takes authority over a situation (1.15). The suitors were not used to or happy with his suddenly brave tongue (1.16). Penelope encourages this as we go on.

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1058 Words | 5 Pages

The Epic Hero of The Odyssey The Odyssey is a tale of a great hero trying to get home. An epic hero. An epic hero is a courageous and honorable person. Homer’s character Odysseus exemplifies this in many ways.

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