ipl-logo

Disarray Of The House Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

420 Words2 Pages

Disarray of the house of Odysseus
In Homer’s Odyssey, books one and two, the Greek hero Odysseus hasn’t returned from the battle with the Trojans and his house is being devoured by suitors of his wife, while his son, Telemachus, idly seats by, mourning his father as his inheritance is gradually diminished. Despite the suitor’s ruthlessness and his mother’s constant teasing, Telemachus is to blame for the lengthy duration in which the suitors ravaged his home by evidence of his negligence and need for divine intervention.
In the absence of his father Odysseus, Telemachus as the head of the house fails to keep things in order. His mother is uncontrollable, teasing and tricking suitors, whilst his father’s house is being turned into a public festivity ground for strangers to have their fill of its resources. He is mocked and ridiculed when he tries to convey an assembly to get rid of the suitors and declare his plans to go searching for news of his father. Telemachus lacks the kind of respect that was shown to his father and as heir to his father’s political position, doesn’t …show more content…

They are always blaming the gods for their troubles, when their own witlessness Causes them more than they were destined for!.” Telemachus interprets his misfortune as a trial of the gods, herby implicitly blaming them for his situation. The lord of the sky decides to find a way in bringing Odysseus home and not trusting Telemachus to take charge of the situation. Athena even volunteers to assist Telemachus and sets up the plans to restore order to the house of Odysseus. In Greek culture, it was uncommon for the gods to mingle in the household affairs of men as they were viewed as the head of the household. For the gods to intervene in Telemachus’ situation, he can be viewed as being an incapable man of the house. Therefore, by requiring the intervention of the gods before acting, Telemachus can be blamed for the progression of the

Show More
Related
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.

Read More
546 Words | 3 Pages

This shows how Telemachus is no longer hesitant to take charge of his own life and stand up for himself. Through his journey, Telemachus demonstrates how he overcomes obstacles and becomes the kind of leader his father would be proud of. In conclusion, although accomplishing goals can be difficult, Telemachus successfully fulfills this leads into another goal of hers that is becoming more independent. This is shown when Telemachus develops a sense of self-awareness and realizes his potential to mature and become more like his father. This is evident when he says, "Who has known, after all?

Read More
578 Words | 3 Pages

In The Odyssey, many tribulations of conquest and vital society transformations take place. Homer included Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, in the epic poem to represent the disintegration of innocence through the will of courage. Also, throughout Telemachus’ hardships, the insights he obtained aided him to becoming more aware of his surroundings and guided him toward true wisdom. During Telemachus’ childhood, his absent father led him to accepting his fate of the suitors overrunning his home (pg. 190).

Read More
1038 Words | 5 Pages

“For my own part I shall continue to cling to the old order, to hearths and to gods, shall honour my father as in the past, so that my house may yet find favour with Athena and with all men.” (Homer) This quote from the epic poem shows that Telemachus is feeling the pressure of living up to his father and that he is also determined to to continue to honor him and his traditions, despite these challenges, Telemachus remains determined and

Read More
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.

Read More
746 Words | 3 Pages

Telemachus is of age to be his heir and with every grain of sand shifting down the hourglass, he feels as if his age will best him soon. Even in his old age, however, Ulysses still wishes to return to the old times, to the time when he was young, out exploring the world with adventure. Telemachus, now with Ulysses’ last ambitions to sail out to die a good death, he would choose his son to rule the kingdom of Ithaca. Unlike the old king, the heir to Ithaca will be of better judgement, caring of the future of his people in selfless fashion. With all of these traits, it will be quite obvious, that the future king will prove to be a better king than

Read More
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.

Read More
677 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More
867 Words | 4 Pages

This has a number of issues in it, starting with the fact that with Telemachus maturing enough to make a decision like that, would make him mature enough to become king himself, implying that time is not on the suitors’ side. Secondly, the suitors where not kind to Telemachus, and if they were going to be relying on him to make a decision for one of them to be the next king, one would expect more flattery from them instead of

Read More
1474 Words | 6 Pages

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.

Read More
1704 Words | 7 Pages

This can be seen when the reader is first introduced to Telemachus as he is sitting, "picturing in his mind his noble father, imagining he had returned and scattered the suitors, and that he himself, Telemachus, was respected at last" (Odyssey, page 4, lines 123-126). Here, Telemachus lacks confidence in who he is and feels he needs his father to scatter the suitors and to gain

Read More
633 Words | 3 Pages

My father, Odysseus, has been out to war since I was a young boy and I have not seen him in 20 years. In consequence, I never had a peer to educate me. In addition, the suitors constantly abuse my mother and my father’s property in Ithaca. Therefore, I, Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, pledge to find if my father is dead or alive. Mentes came to Ithaca and came to greet me.

Read More
709 Words | 3 Pages

Gods & Goddesses Gods and goddesses play a huge role in the Odysseus and Telemachus lives. They both honor the lives and power they have upon the human life. The human value the gods and goddesses because without then they will be lost. The humans believed that if you were kind to strangers that good will come their way because they thought it was a god or goddesses in disguise. The humans always thought every little thing that happened was because of the gods or goddesses.

Read More
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

Read More
1056 Words | 5 Pages

The Odyssey is an epic poem written by the blind, illiterate poet Homer. It takes place in ancient Greece and tells of a man’s journey home from war. The topic, intervention of the gods, is seen throughout the book numerous times as the gods who are in favor of Odysseus lend a helping hand. It is well-known that the gods are very important to the Greeks. In this epic poem, The Odyssey, Homer demonstrates the importance of the positive and encouraging intervention of the gods in Greek culture; the brave actions, encouraging words, and cunning strategies of Athena as she assists and guides Odysseus on his journey back home.

Read More

More about Disarray Of The House Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

Related Topics

Open Document