Telemachus In The Odyssey

Ulysses, is a man referenced into many stories in western culture, but who is he? First known as the son of Laertes, he was the king of Ithaca during the Trojan War and sailed across the sea for 10 years, desperately trying to return home to his wife Penelope. During the journey returning home from the Trojan War, Ulysses used the same smarts which won him the war to beat monsters and travel through harsh environments aiming for home. The first monster he faced was Polyphemus, the cyclops who ate a good portion of his crew, Circe who turned his crew into pigs and finally Charybdis, wrecking his entire ship and left him alone to Neptune’s(Ocean God) wrath. Calypso saved him, but kept him in her home for years, until she finally relents to Hermes(Messenger

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

The young heir, having never left his home, now has most knowledge and respect of the native-born of his kingdom. The times have changed and Ulysses does not have the patience to lead, while his son has more than enough to even see the end of his plans. Telemachus will rule his people with a shepherd’s hand, unlike Ulysses’ who left his people for a war, completely unrelated and in a faraway land. While his son progressive, seeing honor and glory not a thing to constantly strive for, Ulysses wishes to constantly try to achieve, his own selfish ambitions for surpassing human knowledge, thus leading Ithaca into decay. This character trait will truly make Telemachus the better king in his future. Another reason why Telemachus would be a better king than Ulysses, is that while the current king sees his people as tools, dumb animals who only act for survival, Telemachus adores them, sees them as his own, and wishes to guide them perfectly to a better life. Ulysses does not see the people of Ithaca as his equals, no, instead he insults them, even punishes those harshly with death or exile to other lands. Telemachus is much gentler, and such gentleness will make the city-state, a calm, non-conflicting land, beautiful and rich with