Essay: Odyssey

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This is an excerpt from a essay on Odyssey. In ancient times young boys were supposed to take on the position of the Man of the house at rather an earlier age, but Telemachus, with no male role model had trouble making this evolution. In books I-IV, one can see how Athena urged young Telemachus into taking on his proper place in the family. Initially Telemachus was unsure about his parentage, he made quite a few references that actually questioned whether he was Odysseus’ son or not.

In ancient times young boys were supposed to take on the position of the Man of the house at rather an earlier age, but Telemachus, with no male role model had trouble making this evolution. In books I-IV, one can see how Athena urged young Telemachus into taking on his proper place in the family. Initially Telemachus was unsure about his parentage, he made quite a few references that actually questioned whether he was Odysseus’ son or not. Telemachus thought his world is lacking and in fact useless, but he is mistaken, since in fact the gods frequently intervened in his support and his father ultimately returns. Telemachus from the beginning demonstrates a good knowledge of proper behavior when he entertains Athena. In book I line 251-252, Telemachus asserts to Athena about his father

My mother says I am his son: I know not surely. Who has known his own engendering. (Homer I:251-252)

Telemachus has a father he has never seen nonetheless everyone around him keeps on  telling him that Odysseus is his father.  Just believing hearsay without any evidence it is very difficult for Telemachus to come to terms with the idea of an absent father.

Athena comes to Telemachus in disguised as an old friend of his father’s. With Athena’s kind urgings, she encourages Telemachus to take on the tasks of the man of the house. The beginning of book II starts with the initiation of Telemachus after the visit from Athena:

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