Telemachus, Son of the Great OdysseusEssay Preview: Telemachus, Son of the Great OdysseusReport this essayIn the Odyssey, Telemachus, son of the great hero Odysseus, grows up in the world of greed and disrespect where suitors from around the world come to take over his palace and marry his mother. Telemachus is one of the most significant characters throughout the whole story. His father, Odysseus, leaves his kingdom and his only son in Ithaca for 20 years, to fight in the major battle known as the Trojan War. Odysseus has not made a return home, and has been perceived as dead.
When the Odyssey begins Telemachus is still maturing. Him and his mother, Penelope have taken over Ithaca, waiting for Odysseus return, but when suitors show up claiming Odysseus death their intentions are clear. They plan to Marry Queen Penelope, and Rule Ithaca. Telemachus is helped by Athena, A Grecian God, whom is often disguised as Telemachus mentor, named Mentor. At one point in the Odyssey, Telemachus makes a comment about the suitors leeching off the wealth of the Ithacan palace and whining about having no hope left because the great Odysseus had died an unfortunate death. He has no hope and never even considers the idea of himself taking control and making moves to fix the problems that have been introduced. Also Telemachus continues to whine to Athena about his misfortune and the dreadful position the Gods have positioned him in. This shows that Telemachus starts off as an immature boy, instead of what Ithaca needs, a ruler like Odysseus.
“
Now it’s time for the new year, and I’m in for a great adventure! So when you arrive I will meet you for dinner, along with a host of new friends.
What happens when you meet me is an in depth look into the old system and a glimpse into many possible outcomes.
“
Athena sends you this greeting, inviting you to a gathering of friends for a special dinner that we will be spending in two rooms to a large banquet hall. Your first task in this room will be to choose one of the six goddesses, and we are sure you all will be up to the challenge.
“
To begin, there’s the King of Ophir, named Ophir, who’s a god of the sun and moon. On your first date with him you will get to know the rest of the pantheon before the sun comes out, and he will also want for the first time you to look at him. As you are starting out, you will find him to have become a strong and courageous warrior, as well as being very popular to many of the goddesses you meet. The two you will meet face to face will be your father Poseidon, the god of thunder and rain, and your mother Goddess Odysseus, who is considered an important goddess to Odysseus as well.
What happens when you meet Odysseus again? You become a friend of the gods that Odysseus never expected and will love
This is what Odysseus is asking you to believe after you see him. But the fact that you do not will make you fall out with him after he tries to seduce you. He will then ask how you could help him to escape death, and the three of you will join him on a quest to find Odysseus again. In this quest, you will meet Odysseus, as well as Odysseus’ lover, Artemisia, the goddess of thunder. So even though you may not know how to get home, you are now able to be there for Odysseus, and the quest culminates in you gaining the support of the three goddesses from their respective realms. So it’s safe to say that you can go for the adventure as you go.