Telemachus

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…

Upon first meeting Telemachus, both Athena (in the disguise of family friend the Mentor) and Menelaus remark upon the uncanny physical resemblance between father and son: Athena exclaims, “you must be, by your looks, Odysseus’ boy?/ The way your head is shaped, the fine eyes – yes,/ how like him”, and Menelaus also notes the “likeness”, observing that “Odysseus’ hands and feet were like this boy’s;/ his head, and hair, and the glinting of his eyes” (I.244-6; IV.155-7). This familial resemblance…

"The Odyssey" by Homer had many themes but one was shown greatly. "The Search for Identity" a theme that was shown in many different events and characters. Odysseus and his son both had many obstacles to overcome and which taught lessons for both. Odysseus was a very, strong and powerful man who went through a long journey to get back home. Odysseus was able to conquer Troy during his journey. Odysseus at one point when meeting the Cyclops had to his identity to save his men from being eaten…

build up an army of cattle. “Father, are we headed in the right direction?” said Telemachus. “No, we are headed toward Aeaea, the island where Circe lives,” replied Odysseus. “Who is that?” questioned Telemachus. “She is a Sorceress. You must not drink anything she gives you; she gave my crew a potion…

paralleled in Telemachus’ growth from the shy boy in the beginning to the proactive man in the end. Adults that make proud decisions…

and conventions stem from this unit. Any actions committed that attempt to ruin the integrity and tradition of one’s household are therefore considered severe crimes that must be wholly resolved by equally severe vengeance. Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus recognize the deep importance of their family household, and possess the persistent need to maintain its integrity and tradition. The gods advise these mortals in their shared struggle, even consistently intervening in their conflict to…

Furthermore, Athena also provides Odysseus with tremendous support throughout his voyage. You can see during the war in troy, he was with Clypso, and only her asking her father to send Hermes to deliver him and then when Odysseus landed in the island of the Phaecians; Athena makes him look attractive, this way Nausicaa, a Phaeacian princess, would love him and be willing to help him back home. Athena also disguises herself so many times to assist Odysseus. For example, in Book 7, Athena…

Odysseus while she heads to Ithaca, Odysseus’ home. There she encourages Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, to call all the Achaeans to an assembly. Disguised as a family friend she meets Telemachus. While the suitors amuse themselves in Odysseus’ place, Telemachus and Athene talk. She also acknowledges Telemachus as Odysseus’ son.…

journey, he witness a religious ceremony that sacrificed bulls to Poseidon, after witnessing this Athena convinces Telemachus to speak to the King of the city, Nestor. Talking to him allowed Telemachus to learn that they didn’t know much about his fathers whereabouts, but you can tell that he is growing into a more self confident man. By the end of Book 4, it is very obvious that Telemachus has started to stand out as the son of Odyssey and is able to stand for himself, and demand the respect…

The Eyes are the Window to the Soul Athena, goddess and son of Zeus, very frequently appears in disguise, attempting to intervene into the lives of both Odysseus, and his son, Telemachus, in order to protect or warn them. Athena's eyes are highlighted in her epithets, throughout the stories of The Odyssey written by Homer and translated by Robert Fagles. Epithets are phrases that are able to describe a character often in a book. They are able to act as an introduction to the character, as that…