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Differences Between Odysseus And Telemachus

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The tale of Homer’s The Odyssey tells the story of Trojan war noble hero Odysseus
Homer uses the differences in the physical, emotional, and intellectual characteristics of Odysseus and Telemachus in order to show two very different journeys of a father and son. First, Homer emphasizes their differences in strength when they each try to string a bow with very different results. Second, Homer shows us how to the two the differ when it comes to their emotions aspects when they discuss how to go about getting revenge on the suitors in book sixteen, “Father and Son”. Finally, Homer highlights their different opinions on giving mercy in chapter twenty-two, “Death in the Great Hall”.
An important quality of Odysseus that separates him as a hero in …show more content…

Homer obviously wanted the reader to accept Odysseus’s brutal revenge on the suitors. So, when Odysseus says, “Not for the whole treasure of your fathers, all you enjoy, lands, flocks, or any gold put up by others, would I hold my hand. There will be killing till the score is paid” (XXII.65-68), the reader not only acknowledges his decision, but supports it. However, that is not the case when Odysseus denies Leódês mercy directly to his face and the reader. In this part the reader understands that there was no mention that Leódês had ever disrespected Odysseus, but he is still killed without hesitation. When Odysseus says, “No plea like yours could save you / from this hard bed of death. Death it shall be!” (XXII.365-366), to a helpless pleading person who has a compelling argument for their mercy, it shows Odysseus’s lack of mercy. Telemachus does not experience this response and shows his understanding when he spares Phêmios, the minstrel, and Medôn, their herald by saying, “Wait: that one is innocent: don’t hurt him. / And we should let our herald live” (XXII.400-401), to

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Odysseus and his son Telemakhos have a unique relationship. Since Odysseus left home when his son was very young. While Odysseus was gone, his son was taught about his father and heard stories about his life and all he had done. Telemakhos idolized his father and was wise to form his own opinions of him based on who gave him the information versus just believing anything anyone would say. When Telemakhos was reunited with his father he knew he must protect him with all of his might.

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Telemachus, Odysseus' son, lived hopelessly for the first twenty years of his life. During these years, Telemechaus lived in the shadow of his great warrior father. While waiting for his father's return, Telemachus was miserable and daydreamed of a life with Odysseus. Yet, the goddess Athena saw promise in him. Athena reminded Telemachus that he was the son of Odysseus and encouraged him to live his life to its fullest.

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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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Overall, Odysseus is often portrayed as a “model hero”, but in reality he has many faults such as being untrustworthy, arrogant and

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Odysseus and Telemachus The relationship between the father and son is remarkable. There’s no grudge between the two of them. They greeted each other with reckless abandon. At first Telemachus didn’t know that his father was disguised as a beggar.

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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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“The Odyssey” by Homer has three chapter devoted to one specific part of the narrative which is that of Odysseus’s interaction with the Phaeacians. Something that is seen from the moment of his arrival on their land is Odysseus’s sly manipulative character. One of the many character descriptions that the author paints of Odysseus is that of a man who would do whatever he can, to have control of the reins and afford himself the best deal. The author has the character express himself as a heroic savior, yet at the same time Homer manages to unveil a completely opposing story that is utterly unrecognizable from the one Odysseus is selling. Perhaps putting so much emphasis on his interaction with the Phaeacians, was to show that without his comrades

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At various times throughout the story, mainly through the trials, Odysseus made many decisions and forced his crew to go through many potentially lethal situations without preparing his own crew, or situations that were just a waste of time. This then leads to not only all of his crew being killed but the creation of many bad relationships. The first example of Odysseus mistreating his crew is when he and his crew went through the trails, “No more. Come, / let me tell you about the voyage fraught with hardship / Zeus inflicted on me, homeward bound from Troy...” 9.42-44.

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At the end of part 2 of the Odyssey, when Odysseus is finally home and confronts the suitors in his home, he decides to slaughter them all for invading his home and courting his wife: “Not for the whole treasures of your fathers, all you enjoy, lands, flocks, or any gold put up by others will I hold my hand. There will be killing till the price is paid” (22.62-64). This quote from Odysseus shows that he was furious at the suitors, and he would allow no other atonement for their crimes except death. While the suitors all did wrong things, their actions did not deserve the death penalty. This shows that Odysseus was not thinking straight and being fair, and this is not something a hero would do.

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Homer introducing Odysseus as “who had endured the long war and the sea” in place of “the great tactician” or any other epithets is significant. It reminds the audience of his power and abilities which makes the reader sense that he is really doubting himself not his father. Odysseus asks Telémakhos to “suppose” that they have the protection of Athena and Zeus, then why would he have to make great effort to think about this matter. By providing some assurance to his son with reminding him that not only your great father is on your side but also Athena and Zeus, his tone has changed.

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His first trait is being exceptionally skilled continued with cleverness and bravery. Despite Odysseus’s challenges he proves himself a hero because of the actions that show him as skilled, clever and brave. Odysseus is exceptionally skilled in many ways aiding him from each challenge to the next. When Odysseus is trapped in the cave with the Cyclops he decides to us his skills to make a stake to blind the monster, “[He] hewed [the stake] again to make a stake with a point at the end.” (Homer.

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Odysseus has grown from the man he was before, as now he finds comfort and safety in obeying the gods when in the past he did not consider their wishes. Odysseus has only returned due to Athena and he has recognized that and his compliance is founded in his appreciation and respect for her. Odysseus is now a hero due to the obedience he now has to the gods, founded in a sense of humility. Through Odysseus’ experiences on his journey, he learns the value of obedience and dangers of arrogance and ultimately, become a hero through the lessons learned.

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In The Odyssey, Odysseus was a major hero of the novel. He had both heroic traits and human weaknesses. Odysseus defeated the Cyclops, defeated the suitors that were courting his wife, and overcome other challenges throughout the novel. A special trait that made Odysseus a hero was that he was a courageous

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