One of the many traditional, core values of the ancient Greek culture that is held in high esteem is the concept of family. In antiquity, family was a closely held treasure that, even to Greeks, was ancient in its’ principle. Allegiance to one’s family was an everyday part of Athenian tradition, and it was a treacherous to go against one’s own heritage. Family relationships are the subject of much interest in ancient Greek myth, and are a reoccurring theme that underlies much of the literature that came from this time period and culture. But a truly important relationship within this family structure is that between the parent and the child. Specifically, the importance of the relationship of the child to the parent, which is unique to the
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He, “… threw his arms around his great father, sobbing uncontrollably as the deep desire for tears welled up in both… Both men so filled with compassion, eyes streaming tears, that now the sunlight would have set upon their cries…” (Homer, Odyssey, 16. 244-250). The devotion to his father is extremely clear, from his ecstatic reaction to finally being reunited with this parental figure that he can only imagine from stories of his heroism and great deeds. Telemachus displays the ideal level of loyalty to his father, which is especially emphasized since he has been away for so long. His undying devotion shows that, though he may have faltered, he never gave up hope of being reunited with Odysseus one day. Telemachus is also quick to defend his newly found father to his mother, when she meets Odysseus with skepticism. He rants to Penelope, “…cruel mother, you with your hard heart! Why do you spurn my father so- why don’t you sit beside him, engage him, ask him questions? …after bearing twenty years of brutal struggle…” (Homer, Odyssey, 23. 111-117). Telemachus is clearly enamored with his father, and is confused as to why his mother hasn’t fallen immediately back into love with Odysseus. In addition to all of these things, he respects his father so much that he runs to obey Odysseus’ commands on several occasions, no matter the task. He’s willing to do whatever Odysseus asks of him without …show more content…
While speaking to a crowd of suitors, Telemachus retorts, “Antinous, how can I drive my mother form our house against her will, the one who bore me, reared me too? My father is worlds away, dead or alive, who knows? Imagine the high price I’d have to pay Icarius if all on my own I send my mother home. Oh what I would suffer form her father - and some dark god would hurt me even more when mother, leaving her own house behind, calls down her withering Furies on my head, and our people’s cries of shame would hound my heels.” (Homer, Odyssey, 2.144-153). This quote alone gives its’ own insight into Greek societal ideals. There is a high sense of respect that Telemachus holds for his mother, when he speaks fondly of how she gave birth to and raised him. Additionally, he talks about not only the punishment he would have to endure from the gods and the Furies, but from his own people. In nearly every aspect of Greek society, a son’s betrayal of his parents is wrong. There is a clear value held by gods, Furies, and the Greek people alike that show that it was inherently right to respect, honor, and display devotion to one’s parents. Homer, as Telemachus grows older, begins to associate the boy with positive epithets such as “pensive” and “thoughtful”, showing his transformation into a model son. Telemachus respects and appreciates both of his
He, “… threw his arms around his great father, sobbing uncontrollably as the deep desire for tears welled up in both… Both men so filled with compassion, eyes streaming tears, that now the sunlight would have set upon their cries…” (Homer, Odyssey, 16. 244-250). The devotion to his father is extremely clear, from his ecstatic reaction to finally being reunited with this parental figure that he can only imagine from stories of his heroism and great deeds. Telemachus displays the ideal level of loyalty to his father, which is especially emphasized since he has been away for so long. His undying devotion shows that, though he may have faltered, he never gave up hope of being reunited with Odysseus one day. Telemachus is also quick to defend his newly found father to his mother, when she meets Odysseus with skepticism. He rants to Penelope, “…cruel mother, you with your hard heart! Why do you spurn my father so- why don’t you sit beside him, engage him, ask him questions? …after bearing twenty years of brutal struggle…” (Homer, Odyssey, 23. 111-117). Telemachus is clearly enamored with his father, and is confused as to why his mother hasn’t fallen immediately back into love with Odysseus. In addition to all of these things, he respects his father so much that he runs to obey Odysseus’ commands on several occasions, no matter the task. He’s willing to do whatever Odysseus asks of him without …show more content…
While speaking to a crowd of suitors, Telemachus retorts, “Antinous, how can I drive my mother form our house against her will, the one who bore me, reared me too? My father is worlds away, dead or alive, who knows? Imagine the high price I’d have to pay Icarius if all on my own I send my mother home. Oh what I would suffer form her father - and some dark god would hurt me even more when mother, leaving her own house behind, calls down her withering Furies on my head, and our people’s cries of shame would hound my heels.” (Homer, Odyssey, 2.144-153). This quote alone gives its’ own insight into Greek societal ideals. There is a high sense of respect that Telemachus holds for his mother, when he speaks fondly of how she gave birth to and raised him. Additionally, he talks about not only the punishment he would have to endure from the gods and the Furies, but from his own people. In nearly every aspect of Greek society, a son’s betrayal of his parents is wrong. There is a clear value held by gods, Furies, and the Greek people alike that show that it was inherently right to respect, honor, and display devotion to one’s parents. Homer, as Telemachus grows older, begins to associate the boy with positive epithets such as “pensive” and “thoughtful”, showing his transformation into a model son. Telemachus respects and appreciates both of his