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The Importance Of Telemachus In The Odyssey

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Odysseus is a man of great honor, and follows his father’s teachings which made him a person of greatness. In “The Odyssey” the position of men is very important, especially men who were known to have strength and courage. It was an honor to be a son, whom followed their father’s noble achievements and exhibited the skills that they were taught. In “The Odyssey”, it is not surprising that the relationship of Odysseus and Telemachus, is admiring as it is; Telemachus is proud of his son, who show such promise, and the Odysseus is proud of their father, who have earned a respectable reputation as a warrior who defended their territory bravely. It is amazing how the actions of a father can shape the future of his son. However, Odysseus and Telemachus spend more time apart than they do together, and it is through distance that they develop even more of better relationship and love for one another. …show more content…

If you really look at what keeps Odysseus strong on his journey, the father’s absence is the drive and inspiration for the journey and it is during the journey that Telemachus begins to prove his own worth. Blazina observes that the bond between Odysseus and Telemachus is unique because the two “desired to connect all along” (Homer 285), some knew that Telemachus is the reason that Odysseus was a man of high character and respect. As explained in one of the important quotes from The Odyssey by Homer, “to see lord Menelaus…There face-to-face to implore” of his father’s whereabouts (Homer 52). The intensity of emotion the two men share when they finally reunite also contrasts the relative coolness between Odysseus and Telmachus: “salt tears rose from the wells of longing in both men, So helpless they cried pouring out tears, and might have gone on weeping til sundown (Homer

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Joseph Brodsky, the poet of “Odysseus to Telemachus”, successfully conveys the feelings of a homesick man -- Odysseus from The Odyssey -- longing to see his son, Telemachus, once more by both relating it to The Odyssey and using assorted literary devices. The poem is three stanzas long, and formatted like a letter from Odysseus to Telemachus -- which allows the reader feel as if they are catching a glimpse into the heart and despair of Odysseus while he is journeying back home. In “Odysseus to Telemachus”, Odysseus first contemplates the events of the Trojan War, but finds that he cannot even recall who the victor was -- despite having been a main contender in it himself. Afterwards, he begins to describe his current location: a dirty island housing pigs, buildings, weeds, and plants.

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Homer expressed how both characters have both similar different and unique physical, emotional and intellectual qualities. Homer makes a statement by illustrating their different degrees of success in their attempts to string the great bow of Odysseus. Homer shows the love that has been missing from their lives. Finally, Homer provides one last example as Odysseus’s and Telemachus’ attitudes towards a situation where the odds are not in their favor. The story does give Telemachus his own nobility above the suitors and those who betrayed him, but Odysseus rises as our epic hero.

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The most important relationship is the one between Odysseus and Telémachus because there relationship drives a lot of the plot of the epic poem. Homer draws attention to the significance of their relationship when he writes that “Then, throwing his arms around this marvel of a father Telémachus began to weep. Salt tears rose from the wells of longing in both men, and cries burst from both as keen and fluttering as those of the great taloned hawk, whose nestlings fathers take before they fly. So helplessly they cried, pouring out tears, and might have gone on weeping so till sundown” (Homer 296). This quote shows reunion of Odysseus and Telémachus.

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This character is brought to light using several incidents and events that help to analyze and interpret the ancient Greek world and the values surrounding them. Each episode supports and allows for the development of Odysseus’ character and acknowledges the effects of these features. Through these specific incidents, the reader uncovers the quality of Odysseus and how his characteristics relate to those praised by Greeks and those that were criticized. Persistent components of Odysseus’ character include cleverness and pride, while major themes that are reiterated are Greek ideals and the struggle to reach home. Conclusively, definitive occasions in “The Odyssey” establish and expand upon the character of Odysseus and how it impacts himself and

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Telemachus learns and appreciates the ways of his father, and so decides to follow the story of Orestes, and kill the suitors to take back his father’s home (3.52). Lastly, in book 4, Telemachus visits Menelaus in Sparta. In this part of the journey, we learn more details of the Trojan War, and also that Odysseus is still alive but captured by Calypso (4.71). Menelaus continues, talking of tales about Odysseus’ bravery and cunningness, educating Telemachus about the heroism is father had, which he believes he should also

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