At the beginning of the Odyssey we find out that our hero Odysseus has been away from his homeland of Ithaca for nearly 20 years. Since the great heroes departure no one has called an assembly in his homeland. Telemachus calls the assembly in hopes to buy more time for his father's return and in order to drive out the suitors. He was trying to get the town's support in assembling a team of men and boats to sail out and search for clues of his father. In chapter one Athena comes before him and tells Telemachus of his father is still alive. “I tell you great Odysseus is not dead. He is still alive,” (p 83 l. 228). Telemachus has grown up without a father and is stuck in a childlike state. He should act as man of the house, but yet he lets the
…show more content…
Some were angry with the fact that his mother Penelope had help out so long and deceived them as well. She was to marry a suitor when she had completed weaving. “Three whole years she deceived us blind...unweaving her glories web” (pg. 96). This had angered many of the men especially those trying to win the heart of Penelope. This also shows the virtues of Penelope as a wife. She is in sharp contrast to Helen from the Iliad. Helen who left her husband for another man, while Penelope was doing anything she could to make sure she was not betraying her beloved husband. We seem to get a lot of resistance from the younger generation at this assembly. Support for Telemachus seems to come more from men who knew his father. We see this when Zeus sends down 2 eagles as a sign. “Disaster approaches the suitors, Odysseus won’t be far from loved ones any longer” (pg. 98). Halitherses a master of reading bird signs and a man who stood along side Odysseus foretold what the the signal beheld. This prompted a response from eurymachus. “ “Here’s my prophecy you incite the boy to riot, he’ll be the first to suffer, and you, old man, we’ll clap some fine on you” (pg 99). This is more of threat than a threat than a prophecy. If there is support for Telemachus there there will be hell to pay and they will be the first to suffer. “We also see Mentor come to the aid of Temeluchus Sitting here in silence… never a word put forth to
Some were angry with the fact that his mother Penelope had help out so long and deceived them as well. She was to marry a suitor when she had completed weaving. “Three whole years she deceived us blind...unweaving her glories web” (pg. 96). This had angered many of the men especially those trying to win the heart of Penelope. This also shows the virtues of Penelope as a wife. She is in sharp contrast to Helen from the Iliad. Helen who left her husband for another man, while Penelope was doing anything she could to make sure she was not betraying her beloved husband. We seem to get a lot of resistance from the younger generation at this assembly. Support for Telemachus seems to come more from men who knew his father. We see this when Zeus sends down 2 eagles as a sign. “Disaster approaches the suitors, Odysseus won’t be far from loved ones any longer” (pg. 98). Halitherses a master of reading bird signs and a man who stood along side Odysseus foretold what the the signal beheld. This prompted a response from eurymachus. “ “Here’s my prophecy you incite the boy to riot, he’ll be the first to suffer, and you, old man, we’ll clap some fine on you” (pg 99). This is more of threat than a threat than a prophecy. If there is support for Telemachus there there will be hell to pay and they will be the first to suffer. “We also see Mentor come to the aid of Temeluchus Sitting here in silence… never a word put forth to