Telemachus Unknowing In The Odyssey

elemachus’ Fight for Honor The Odyssey, written by the Greek Poet Homer, tells the story of Odysseus’ journey returning home from the Trojan War. The beginning of the book starts with Telemakhos, son of Odysseus. He gives a speech to the men of Ithaca at an assembly he has called for the first time since his father has been absent. Telemakhos has a change of character and needs the help from the men to take back control of his home and his self-respect.

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.

If you have ever read The Odyssey before you know Telemachus grew up without a dad. In today's society children have grown up with their parents in the military which is just like growing up without a dad. This relates to Telemachus having to grow up with his dad being gone for most of his life. The struggle of being without a father is the same struggle Telemachus felt when his dad was fighting in the trojan war. It is also the same feeling you get when your dad is out there fighting for your country and having the fear he might not come back.

I believe Odysseus is alive. I believe my son, Telemachus is angry with the destruction in our home and won 't be able to stand for it much longer. I believe my power in my own home has been taken from me and there is nothing I can do about it. I love Odysseus. I love him so much that I know he must be alive.

Telemachus’ life serves as the gateway to Odysseus’ legacy. The egocentric nature in which Telemachus describes Odysseus’ assumed fate strengthens the idea that Odysseus’ legacy lies in Telemachus’ life on earth. The idea of “great fame for years to come” is reflected through Telemachus’ life because Telemachus is both the physical and the figurative link between Odysseus and the mortal, living world (Ody. I.279). Telemachus’ mention of the gods’ “vengeance” by killing Odysseus elaborates on a more general juxtaposition – the gods, who are immortal, control humans’ mortality (Ody. 272). However, the gods don’t have control over a legacy, as storytelling is a human activity.

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.

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.

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.

From the onset of the book, death is a recurring event, persistent throughout the entire poem. In many ways, the Odyssey is the story of the death of all of Odysseus’ friends and fellow fighters during their return home from conquering Troy. These deaths are particularly heartbreaking to Odysseus because, normally, one would expect that all dying would conclude with the end of the war against Troy. In this case, however, the anticipation of his return to his family at home became a series of tragedies. This sequence of events changes his view and molds Odysseus’ character in regard to his surviving friends and family.

In the book called The Odyssey by Homer, it mainly follows the story of a king of a village called Ithaca, hundreds of years ago-This man, is named Odysseus. Odysseus goes through many adventures after the victory of the Trojan War. However, this is where Odysseus, is not being as strong as a great war hero and a king as he should be. Although Odysseus was seen as a very strong person, physically and mentally, he lacks the appreciation and the care of his crew throughout the trials and didn’t think through many of his actions thoroughly and how they would affect not only his crew but people around him.

The Odyssey symbolized fathers as leaders, the head of the household, protector who instills the virtue of identity to their sons. To be bold in the face of their enemies and stand against them. It is necessary to play a vital role in the upbringing of their sons. When there is no father figure sons cannot become aristoi without guidance which limits to their full potential and true identity.

Journey to Maturity The Odyssey by Homer recognizes the importance of maturity throughout the epic poem, applied from Telemachus, as he grows from a weak, scared boy to a strong, responsible man who develops newly found skills, overcomes various obstacles, and reflects on his need to approach his problems as Homer showcases Telemachus as a prime example of maturation as he finds his father and fights alongside him to slay the suitors. Telemachus expresses maturation by achieving his goals, learning from his mistakes and experiences, taking risks, being strong, courageous, and confident, as well as enduring hardship to claim honor in the end. Telemachus trains to achieve his goal of finding his father. He matures with the help of many characters

Upon Odysseus arrival to Ithaca, Athena hides his identity to help him defeat the suitors. She turns him into a very old beggar to conceal his identity from everyone, most importantly the suitors. Odysseus reveals himself to his son Telemachus, cowherd and the swine herd. The nurse Eurycleia recognizes him because of a scar he got years ago by a boar’s white tusk. Penelope doesn’t recognize Odysseus at first sight because of the disguise.

In this important exchange between Odysseus and his mother,

Throughout The Odyssey, Odesseus’ son, Telemachus, arcs as a character completely, maturing and becoming a man by the end. Only a small child when his father, ruler of Ithaca, left to fight in the Trojan War, Telemachus lived without a biological father figure for nineteen years of his life, and without any sign Odesseus would ever return. Suitors overtook his estate. His mother became a prize to be won. Telemachus was immature and rather conflicted; he knew he needed to defend his mother and the estate from the suitors who continuously feasted upon Odesseus’ abundant stores of meat and wine, but he was unsure how to take charge that way.