A bond that a parent has with his or her child seems trite due to its ubiquity. But this bond signifies the love and relationship that is present or is developing between the two. The relationship that develops in Homer’s The Odyssey between Telémakhos and Odysseus, towards the closing books of The Odyssey, very closely mimics the characteristics of a typical bond between a parent and their child. Odysseus provides Telémakhos with the encouragement and motivation he lacked in order to stand up for himself against the many suitors. Furthermore, Odysseus, adapting the role of a father, guides his son in this battle against the suitors, and Telémakhos, who understands that his father knows what’s best for him, trusts his father’s judgment and
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Odysseus first fulfills this aspect of being a father when Telémakhos doubts that he has the ability to protect Odysseus, who was disguised as “the beggar” at that time, from the suitors. He justifies this notion by stating “How could a single man take on these odds? Not even a hero could” (292). Odysseus, sensing the fear of confrontation that Telémakhos has, tries to change his son’s mind by replying “If my heart was as young as yours, if I was son to Odysseus, or man to myself, I’d rather have my head cut off my shoulders by some slashing adversary, if I brought no hurt upon that crew!” (292). This fatherly pep talk does not fully convince Telémakhos that he can confront the suitors, but Odysseus, playing the role of a good father, does not label his son a lost cause. He keeps trying. After the interruption of their small reunion, the discussion on the suitors continues and Telémakhos tries to logic with his father by reasonably stating “How can two men [Odysseus and Telémakhos] do battle with a houseful in their …show more content…
This is present through the test of the bow which Penélopê administers to the suitors in order to select which individual to marry. The reason behind this bizarre demand is that her former husband, Odysseus, was able to shoot twelve arrows through the iron socket and she requests her second husband to be able to do the same. Telémakhos, just to attempt it for the sake of it, is the first to go. “A fourth try and he had it all but strung- when a stiffening in Odysseus made him check” (394). Like his father Telémakhos clearly has the capability to complete this nearly impossible mission, which none of the suitors even came close to achieving. Another prominent characteristic the weaves the father son together is their visit from a God. Resembling Odysseus’s case, Athena also comes to visit Telémakhos. This is considered a great honor due to the fact that Gods only visit people who are capable enough to catch or seem worthy of their attention. Both the father and son were paid a visit by Athena showing that they both possessed some desirable characteristics and Gods were on their side. The father and son also share similar moral views. This is demonstrated most strongly during the punishments of the maids. Even before the actual executions, Odysseus told Telémakhos “But you and I alone must learn how far the women
Odysseus first fulfills this aspect of being a father when Telémakhos doubts that he has the ability to protect Odysseus, who was disguised as “the beggar” at that time, from the suitors. He justifies this notion by stating “How could a single man take on these odds? Not even a hero could” (292). Odysseus, sensing the fear of confrontation that Telémakhos has, tries to change his son’s mind by replying “If my heart was as young as yours, if I was son to Odysseus, or man to myself, I’d rather have my head cut off my shoulders by some slashing adversary, if I brought no hurt upon that crew!” (292). This fatherly pep talk does not fully convince Telémakhos that he can confront the suitors, but Odysseus, playing the role of a good father, does not label his son a lost cause. He keeps trying. After the interruption of their small reunion, the discussion on the suitors continues and Telémakhos tries to logic with his father by reasonably stating “How can two men [Odysseus and Telémakhos] do battle with a houseful in their …show more content…
This is present through the test of the bow which Penélopê administers to the suitors in order to select which individual to marry. The reason behind this bizarre demand is that her former husband, Odysseus, was able to shoot twelve arrows through the iron socket and she requests her second husband to be able to do the same. Telémakhos, just to attempt it for the sake of it, is the first to go. “A fourth try and he had it all but strung- when a stiffening in Odysseus made him check” (394). Like his father Telémakhos clearly has the capability to complete this nearly impossible mission, which none of the suitors even came close to achieving. Another prominent characteristic the weaves the father son together is their visit from a God. Resembling Odysseus’s case, Athena also comes to visit Telémakhos. This is considered a great honor due to the fact that Gods only visit people who are capable enough to catch or seem worthy of their attention. Both the father and son were paid a visit by Athena showing that they both possessed some desirable characteristics and Gods were on their side. The father and son also share similar moral views. This is demonstrated most strongly during the punishments of the maids. Even before the actual executions, Odysseus told Telémakhos “But you and I alone must learn how far the women