Journeys can change people tremendously. That is very much the case in Homer's The Odyssey. Telemachus goes on a journey to find news of his long-lost father Odysseus. After fighting in the Trojan War, King Odysseus of Ithaca is lost on his travels home. Suitors overrun his palace, trying to marry his wife. Athena convinces Telemachus to journey and find out whether his father is alive. He meets King Nestor in Pylos and King Menelaus in Sparta, who both have news about Odysseus. Telemachus's journey—both a physical and metaphorical journey—is essential for him to become the true son of Odysseus because he learns how similar he is to Odysseus, gains confidence, and understands the importance of praying to the gods.
First of all, Telemachus's …show more content…
In Ithaca, Telemachus blames Odysseus not returning home on Zeus. However, he sees how much the gods help him and how other kings pray and sacrifice. Again, Athena reveals how much she is helping Telemachus soon after he doubts whether the gods are on his side, showing him that if he keeps praying, his wishes will come true. He arrives at Pylos as they are sacrificing to Poseidon; they also sacrifice to Athena before they leave. At Sparta, Telemachus compares Menelaus's castle to Zeus's riches, which Menelaus quickly refutes, citing that no mortal could rival the riches of Zeus. Later, while describing his travel home from Troy, Menelaus says that in Egypt "'the gods still marooned me...I'd failed, you see, to render them full, flawless victims, and the gods are always keen to see their rules obeyed'" (4.391-393). In other words, Menelaus did not properly sacrifice to the gods, and they punished him by stranding him and his crew. This shows how important it is to please the gods. They can make anything happen just by wishing it, and Telemachus comes to realize that it is vital to make sure he stays on the gods' good side. Notably, Telemachus at many points prays to the gods, namely Athena. She almost always answers his prayers—such as when she rounded up a crew and ship for the journey. All of this just goes to show that Telemachus learns how essential it is to pray and please the gods, because they are powerful and essential to have on your
First of all, Telemachus's …show more content…
In Ithaca, Telemachus blames Odysseus not returning home on Zeus. However, he sees how much the gods help him and how other kings pray and sacrifice. Again, Athena reveals how much she is helping Telemachus soon after he doubts whether the gods are on his side, showing him that if he keeps praying, his wishes will come true. He arrives at Pylos as they are sacrificing to Poseidon; they also sacrifice to Athena before they leave. At Sparta, Telemachus compares Menelaus's castle to Zeus's riches, which Menelaus quickly refutes, citing that no mortal could rival the riches of Zeus. Later, while describing his travel home from Troy, Menelaus says that in Egypt "'the gods still marooned me...I'd failed, you see, to render them full, flawless victims, and the gods are always keen to see their rules obeyed'" (4.391-393). In other words, Menelaus did not properly sacrifice to the gods, and they punished him by stranding him and his crew. This shows how important it is to please the gods. They can make anything happen just by wishing it, and Telemachus comes to realize that it is vital to make sure he stays on the gods' good side. Notably, Telemachus at many points prays to the gods, namely Athena. She almost always answers his prayers—such as when she rounded up a crew and ship for the journey. All of this just goes to show that Telemachus learns how essential it is to pray and please the gods, because they are powerful and essential to have on your