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Telemachus Scar In The Odyssey

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The Odyssey, by Homer, tells of the ten year struggle, the Greek hero, Odysseus, has trying to return home after the Trojan War. He is hidden for seven years, has to battle mystic creatures, and face the trickery and deceit of many gods along as he tries to get home to his son Telemachus and wife Penelope in Ithaca. While disguised as a beggar in his own home, a scar is discovered by Eurycleia. With the scar being a well-known to all who knew Odysseus as a child, his identity could not be ignored. The discovery of Odysseus’ scar gave Homer a chance to tell the story of Odysseus’ childhood and how he had gotten the scar. It introduced the reader to what could have been the beginning of the Odyssey had it started at the beginning and not the …show more content…

This quest was to help him make his inward identity and outward reality. Telemachus starts this journey because of his feelings of anger and sadness towards his father. He is emotional because Odysseus fame perished and did not pass on to Telemachus leaving him with no identity of his own. He also feels helpless against the many suitors that have over run his home interested in his mother’s hand in marriage. At last, Telemachus has returned home from his quest. Homer gives no direct showing of character change within Telemachus until the upcoming battle he faces against the suitors in his home. Although many are unaware of Odysseus presence within the castle, Telemachus knows. While in battle against the suitors, Telemachus is nipped by Amphimedon's weapon. He is scarred on his wrist. This battle wound can be equally related to Odysseus wound he received on his thigh. Receiving that scar can be seen as a part of Telemachus coming of age. Before he felt he could do nothing about the many suitors that plagued his home, but after returning from his quest he finds himself battling them. This shows a change in Telemachus as he appears braver now, more confident. As did Odysseus after killing the boar who gave him his scar many years

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