Odyssey Essay

The parallel adventure between Telemachus and Odysseus
Throughout the first four books of The Odyssey Homer described the way the suitors consume everything in Odysseus’ house and bully Telemachus around rendering immediately as a vulnerable character in comparison to his great father. This gives a sign to the leader that Telemachus being a main character will have to accomplish something. For control of the house, Athena sent Odysseus on more adventures and sent Telemachus on his telemachy which means coming of age. It was time for Telemachus to grow up. Even though his departure from his house and Odysseus’ departure from Calypso’s island are written at different times in the book they both left almost simultaneously. A father’s need for a son is very important factor in ancient Greek culture. It represented the continuation of your lineage and when one was so powerful and liked as Odysseus was being a king it was naturally seen that he would raise a strong and mighty child. Not being there to raise one or not having a son can be a root of cataclysm. Both, returning at the Swineherd’s house around the same time, but this time wiser, Athena sent Telemachus and Odysseus on parallel quests using Telemachus’ telemachy in the first four books as a comparison of growth in maturity and wisdom in Odysseus’ return to Ithaca. And as it turns out, fathers are not so different compared to their sons.

Odysseus started his true adventure foolish and stubborn just like Telemachus while on the island of Ogygia, where he never truly attempted to leave nor did he ask so from Calypso. Instead he lamented all day and then slept with her during the night continuing this for seven whole years. Furthermore, when he had been assured by Circe that his crew and himself would be safe he got tempted in the succulent feasts and the nights spent beside Circes having then to be reminded by his men that “it is time you began to think about going home, if so be you are to be spared to see your house and native country at all” (Butler, Book X, page 128, line 18-19). Twice was he fooled by the pleasant thought of sleeping besides a woman but then blinded by irresponsible selfish anger by almost having his men killed while on his ship by the heavy boulder thrown by Polyphemus due to Odysseus yelling in rage. This made his crew exclaim to not “be mad enough to provoke this savage creature” (Butler, Book IX, page 115, line 10-11). So far Odysseus judges his actions and choices very poorly and in a self-centered manner, the way a child or young man with no experience would.

Telemachus gained his first part of authority demanding that Eurycleia packs him meals and does not reveal his intentions to Penelope. This was a great change from being bullied and controlled in his own house, and he then decided to take action. Having left his house he met Nestor and Menelaus. Nestor explained that start of Odysseus’ journey and how he was then lost to either be living in a foreign land or dead deep in the see. He then advised him to stay close to the surrounding of his home and give an example of what real Xenia is which he had never seen. This brought confidence and proper knowledge to him. In parallel, Odysseus matured by having to make hard decisions going through Charybdis and Scylla and also having to sacrifice his men. Coming out of Hades was a turning point where Odysseus envisioned and saw the steps and danger that the world had for him.
Athena is the goddess of wisdom and military strategy. When one is an expert in strategy they know it is best to take action which will overall help in the long term. Having Telemachus leave brought sadness and more desperation to Penelope after having figured out he left and that he was the only thing she could cling on to. Odysseus’ journey, was very tiring and difficult but both returned stronger and closer to the gods. Athena sent Telemachus by appearing as Mentor and she aided Odysseus through his journey, like the way she made him appear godlike to the Phaecians being even closer to the gods. Telemachus and Odysseus are both the closest mortals to gods.
One could ask themself, does a story really start with a story or does it start with a son? Having Odysseus and his son return to Ithaca at the swineherd’s hut at the same time was not a coincidence. It was time for them to apply their learnt patience and wisdom by observing the suitors before jumping in to rushed actions; by hiding the weapons, recruiting loyal servants and passing the bow test during which time Penelope silently laughed while recognizing small hints of her husband’s return such as his new strength being able to endure the hit of a thrown stool; and not saying anything in return. These two men had parallel lessons and adventures throughout the poem of The Odyssey and it is imperative that there are the first four books so that Penelope keeps faith in her family since she has a son and so that we understand the father and son bond.