Similes In The Odyssey Analysis

The Odyssey is known to be a one of greatest epic poem written during the 8th century BC by Homer. The epic poem contains story about Odysseus journey of returning home. However, it is not just about Odysseus journey back home but, his son Telemachus developing himself to become like his father. In book 2 of the Odyssey, Homer illustrates Telemachus coming age by using imagery of nature, formal diction, and simile portraying how he is maturing and developing himself to become like his father. People change due to situation in their life, Telemachus son of Odysseus has to develop himself into a man. He has to pick up where his has left off; usually we don’t expect people to change themselves in short notice. However, Telemachus knew he had …show more content…
Homer uses simile to compare Telemachus to his father, “once more the true son of Odysseus sprang from bed and dressed, over his shoulder he slung his well-honed sword, fastened rawhide sandals under his smooth feet, and stepped from his bedroom, handsome as a god,” (Homer 93). Homer is using comparison to describe how Telemachus is transforming himself into his father. Also, he is described, handsome as a god, this is very powerful comparison because he is being compared to a god, which is puts more emphasizes on his personality and physicality. Homer is not just saying he is son of the Great Odysseus but, his physicality is like a god. The audience gets a better view how Telemachus looks and is, how his personality is like a god as well. We think of god to be courageous, strong, and indestructible. That’s what Homer is saying that a normal boy or anyone can posses such quality if they have the right mind. We see another comparison of Telechamus to his father, “few son are equal to their father; most fall short, all too few surpass them, but behave and adept from this day on, Odysseus’ cunning has hardly given out in you, there’s every hope that you will reach your goal,” (Homer 310). Homer is again comparing how he is showing the true quality of being the son of Odysseus, how he is able to adapt to situations, not everyone can live up to their father’s …show more content…
Homer portrays through the use of formal diction. We see the change of Telemachus and the way he talks to others. If we closely see the way he speaks, we see the change about his personality/speech, “Antinous, now how could I dine with you in peace and take my pleasure? You ruffians carousing here! Isn’t it quite enough that you, my mother’s suitors, have ravaged it all, my very best, these many years, while I was still a boy? But now I’m full-grown and can hear the truth from others, absorb it too –now,” (Homer 342). We only expect grown man to handle and hear the truth, also face the truth. The way he is speaking “take my pleasure?” or “you ruffians carousing here,” we see how respectful/formal and calm he is. His diction of word choice is transforming him into a man. Usually young boys are stubborn, speaks in informal fragments, and anxious, all over the place and don’t know what they are saying. The fact that he can talk and face the truth, displays his courage and determination he has toward his journey. Another place his diction is like a man, is when talking to his nurse, “Courage old woman, thoughtful Telemachus tried to reassure her, there’s a god who made this plan, But swear you won’t say anything to my mother…lovely face with tears,” (Homer 410). The care he is showing for his mother is revealing more about his personality because he is thinking about his mother not