Differences Between Odysseus And Telemachus

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

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