Odysseus Relationship with Telemachus in Homers Odyssey :: Homer Odyssey Essays

Odysseus Relationship with Telemachus in Homers Odyssey Throughout the last books of The Odyssey Homer tells us how Odysseus restores his relationships with his friends and relatives at Ithaca. Perhaps one of the most revealing of these restoration episodes is Odysseus re-encounter with his boy, Telemachus. This re-encounter serves three main purposes. First, it serves to portray Telemachus likeness to his father in the virtues of prudence, humility, patience, and planning. Secondly, it is Odysseus chance to teach his son to be as great a ruler as Odysseus himself is. Lastly, Homer uses this re-encounter to emphasize the importance of a family structure to a society. To be able to learn the impact that this meeting had on Odysseus it is requirement to see that Telemachus has grown since his first appearances in the poem and obviously since his last contact with his father Odysseus left Telemachus as an infant now their relationship is a man to man relationship rather t han a man to child relationship. Of the many proofs of Telemachus maturation three atomic number 18 sufficient to render an accurate account of what virtues he gained. The gained virtues shown are courage, wisdom, and prudence. Courage is shown when Telemachus decides to go around Nestors house rather than passing through it, for Telemachus goes out to sea knowing that an ambush awaits him. This wisdom is manifested in his knowledge that if he stops Nestors hospitality will delay him even more. And prudence is shown in Telemachus ability to mince his desires for comfort in Nestors house and his decision to endure hardship at sea. Next Telemachus confidence and hospitality are shown when he takes in Theochlamenos the seer. In the blood line of the poem Telemachus is not confident enough in his ability to picture hospitality to Athena disguised as Mentor, but now Telemachus is happy to provide the seer with refuge. Another proof of Telemachus virtues is his confidenc e in ordering his mother and her maids to comply with his will their obedience shows us that he is worthy of respect. Thus Telemachus possesses the virtues necessary to be a ruler courage, wisdom, prudence, confidence, and hospitality. Now we come to the re-encounter of father and son.