In Homer’s Odyssey, Telemakhos has to present a speech to the men of Ithaka. In the speech, Telemakhos requests for help in banishing the suitors from his home and finding a ship and crew to set sail in search of his lost father, Odysseus. Having the mindset of shaming the suitors into leaving his home, the requests Telemakhos makes are not carried out the way he hopes. Therefore, Telemakhos’ speech is not effective to the assembly.
In the beginning of his speech, Telemakhos shames the suitors and gives examples about how they are violating xenia and taking advantage of his mother and their home while his father is away. While looking out to the crowd he states; “No; these men spend their days around our house / killing our beeves and sheep …show more content…
After Telemakhos finishes his speech, no one speaks, except Antinoos when he says, “What high and mighty / talk, Telemakhos!” (II. 91-92). Then, tries to intimidate Telemakhos by saying; “No holding you! / You want to shame us and humiliate us, / but you should know the suitors are not to blame-- / it is your own dear, incomparably cunning mother” (II. 92-95). With this quote, Telemakhos only receives apathy from the suitors. Aside from the suitors, Telemakhos seeks sympathy from the rest of the crowd: “Friends, by Olympian Zeus and holy Justice / that holds men in assembly and sets them free, / make an end of this! Let me lament in peace / my private loss. Or did my father, Odysseus, / ever do injury to the armed Akhaians? / Is this your way of taking it out on me, / giving free rein to these young men” (II. 73-79). Do they believe he deserves the disrespect? Or is this vengeance on him because of his father? Telemakhos achieves some sympathy, but most were upset. The audience got the impression that Telemakhos was trying to convince them to solve his problems and they believe he should solve them …show more content…
However, he really came across as incapable and doesn’t receive the support he was hoping for. The men did not want to hear any more of what Telemakhos had to say: “Vexing though it may be; we fear no one, / certainly not Telemakhos, with his talk” (II. 209-210). After this Telemakhos is finished with pleading his case; he realizes the men and suitors are only going to do what they think is best since Odysseus is gone. With his speech failing, Telemakhos is more determined than ever to find news of his father.
In the end, with absolutely no help from anyone, Telemakhos can only pray to the gods for guidance on finding his father. Once again, Athena, then disguised as Mentor, comes to his side when no one else would. As she prepares him a ship and a crew to find his father, she reminds Telemakhos: “You’ll never be a fainthearted or a fool, / Telemakhos, if you have your father’s spirit” (II.
In the beginning of his speech, Telemakhos shames the suitors and gives examples about how they are violating xenia and taking advantage of his mother and their home while his father is away. While looking out to the crowd he states; “No; these men spend their days around our house / killing our beeves and sheep …show more content…
After Telemakhos finishes his speech, no one speaks, except Antinoos when he says, “What high and mighty / talk, Telemakhos!” (II. 91-92). Then, tries to intimidate Telemakhos by saying; “No holding you! / You want to shame us and humiliate us, / but you should know the suitors are not to blame-- / it is your own dear, incomparably cunning mother” (II. 92-95). With this quote, Telemakhos only receives apathy from the suitors. Aside from the suitors, Telemakhos seeks sympathy from the rest of the crowd: “Friends, by Olympian Zeus and holy Justice / that holds men in assembly and sets them free, / make an end of this! Let me lament in peace / my private loss. Or did my father, Odysseus, / ever do injury to the armed Akhaians? / Is this your way of taking it out on me, / giving free rein to these young men” (II. 73-79). Do they believe he deserves the disrespect? Or is this vengeance on him because of his father? Telemakhos achieves some sympathy, but most were upset. The audience got the impression that Telemakhos was trying to convince them to solve his problems and they believe he should solve them …show more content…
However, he really came across as incapable and doesn’t receive the support he was hoping for. The men did not want to hear any more of what Telemakhos had to say: “Vexing though it may be; we fear no one, / certainly not Telemakhos, with his talk” (II. 209-210). After this Telemakhos is finished with pleading his case; he realizes the men and suitors are only going to do what they think is best since Odysseus is gone. With his speech failing, Telemakhos is more determined than ever to find news of his father.
In the end, with absolutely no help from anyone, Telemakhos can only pray to the gods for guidance on finding his father. Once again, Athena, then disguised as Mentor, comes to his side when no one else would. As she prepares him a ship and a crew to find his father, she reminds Telemakhos: “You’ll never be a fainthearted or a fool, / Telemakhos, if you have your father’s spirit” (II.