The Journeys of Telemachus and Odysseus, Research Paper Example

In the second book of The Odyssey, Athena reassure Telemachus, “you know, few sons turn out to be like their fathers; /Most turn out worse, a few better. /No you do not have it in you to be a fool or a coward, /And you’ve got something of Odysseus’ brains (p.349). In this excerpt, Athena highlights the inherent differences that lie between fathers and sons with regards to their philosophical path in life. In the book, the author manages to highlight numerous similarities and differences between Telemachus and his father, Odysseus. This paper seeks to compare and contrast Telemachus’ journey with that of Odysseus, further extrapolating how his experiences enable him to develop as a character.

Similarities in Odysseus’ and Telemachus Journeys

The author, Homer, highlights the inherent similarities between the characters through their journeys. Odysseus and his son, Telemachus, are both depicted as heroes in their journey as a result of their actions. One significant similarity in their journeys are the emotions that are depicted. One of the strongest emotions that influence Telemachus’ journey is the longing for his father. Having spent his early childhood without his father’s presence and guidance, he sets on a journey, after meeting with Athena, to find and save his father. These emotions are also depicted in Odysseus longing for his home and family:

“With eyes wet scanning the bare horizons of the sea,” (Book 5, ll. 295-296)

The distance between father and son considerably influences the kind of decisions they make throughout their respective quests.

Both Odysseus and Telemachus begin their respective quests with little knowledge of the unknown, and about themselves. Throughout their respective quests, they develop and adopt new traits and philosophies as a result of exposure to different cultures and philosophies. They encounters with kings and warriors further causes them to mature into holistic individuals, capable of greatness.

Differences

While there are a number of similarities between Odysseus’ and Telemachus’ journey, there are numerous differences that set them apart. One of the most significant differences can be found in the manner in which the characters begin their respective quests. Telemachus begins his quest as a young, naïve, aloof and overly-pampered individuals. He is generally considered spineless and lacks the courage to stand up for himself and what he believes in. this is largely resultant from the lack of time with his father during his childhood, resulting in a single-parenting childhood.

However, on the other hand, Odysseus’ journey begins with numerous differences. While Telemachus was weak and spineless, Odysseus was full of pride. Odysseus pride was arguably one of his greatest strengths as well as weakness. This causes him to bring calamity to his crew at sea, which hinders his progress of getting back to his household.

Growth to Maturity

In the poem, Telemachus, a far younger man than his father, is depicted to go through a number of experiences that cause him to develop and grow as a character. Telemachus begins as a young boy, lacking maturity, a factor that is compounded by the lack of his father’s [presence. During his early life and childhood, his father Odysseus is off on his own quest, a factor that leaves him without much of a father figure during this time.

The distant relationship with his father causes him to compensate for this affection, becoming closer to his mother. This causes home to develop a timid and shy personality. He is depicted as a spineless boy, unable to conjure any form of bravery as a result of long-term pampering by his mother. His extensive life with his mother and lacking is father to provide guidance on life, causes him to become aloof, and quite distant from the real world.

As the son of a great man, global renowned, Telemachus finds himself living under the shadow of his father’s greatness, raising people’s expectations of achievements expected of him. However, as he goes through his journey, a number of experiences cause him to grow and develop his character over time. One notable incident is the killing of the suitors who had taken advantage of him. As the suitors rummage through his home, he fails to act not standing up for himself and openly expressing his opinions. He sits down and does nothing to remedy the situation as deposited in the excerpt below. This depicts his loneliness and withdrawal from the real world.

Prince Telemachus/ sitting among the suitors, heart obsessed with grief, /he could almost see his magnificent father, here…” (I.132-134)

He is also unsure about his own existence and his own father’s as depicted in the excerpt below:

“No Comfort left for us…not even if/ someone, somewhere, says he’s coming home, / the day of his return will never dawn.” (I.194-196)

Telemachus dopiest growth and development as a character the point at which he meets with Athena. His discussion with Athena causes him to adopt an open-minded approach towards life and the challenges with living up to his father’s name. He understands that courage and knowledge are essential to save his father, causing him to be a proactive and dignified in a manner that resembles his father. He gains confidence and goes back to tell of the suitors who had rummaged through his house. This is depicted in the excerpt below:

“You must leave my palace! See to your feasting elsewhere, / devour your own possessions, house to house by turns.” (I.430-431)

This change in character is noticed by individuals around him, most notably, the suitors he tells off:

“And they all bit their lips, / amazed the prince could speak with so much daring,” (I.438-439)

His transformation continues with his tacking charge of his life and his surrounding, taking leadership of the assembly. This transformation causes Telemachus to believe in himself, attempting risks in his life, abandoning the overly conservative outlook he had towards life. During his journey, he enters into pacts with different individuals regarding his father. Also during this time, his journey eposes him, and especially is mother, to numerous risks and dangers.

His transformation is recognized by those he meets throughout his journey. Most notable was the complement he receives from Menelaus.

“Your Father’s son you are – your words have all his wisdom.” (IV.229)

In conclusion, Homer depicts Odysseus and Telemachus with numerous differences and responsibilities. They were inherently different in their upbringing, with Telemachus having no father figure in his early childhood. This causes them to have different characters and traits at the beginning of their journeys, affecting the king of encounters they had on. The experiences that they both faced shaped their growth and development to more mature and holistic individuals, as well as characters.