The Odyssey 2
The Odyssey, by Homer, is about a Trojan War hero, Odysseus, struggling to return home to his wife and son. While Odysseus is experiencing many hardships, which are preventing him from returning home, his wife is being besieged by suitors, and his son, Telemachus is growing up in chaos, without any support of an adult role model. Every child needs at least one role model of their gender, however, the only male role models Telemachus has are evil suitors, until his father returns home. Because he has no paternal role models to encourage him, he is very juvenile and immature, even for the age of nineteen. Because Athena favored Odysseus, she therefore had a liking for his son. Athena also felt sorry that Odysseus was being detained on the Island of Ogygia, by the nymph, Calypso, and could not return home to save his wife and raise his son. Meanwhile, Telemachus is lost, feeling that he has no identity. In order for him to get some direction, he still needs divine help.Seeing that Telemachus was in need of direction, Athena feels obligated to help. Athena's main motive for going to see Telemachus is to "rouse [him] / to a braver pitch, inspire his heart with courage (page 80, lines 104-105)" She realizes that Telemachus
Through out the Telemachia (the four beginning chapters of the Odyssey) it is apparent to all readers, that Telemachus is greatly struggling to find out who and where he famous father Odysseus is, how to free his beloved land of Ithaca, of the burdening suitors, which eat the food, spend the riches, and woo Odysseus's wife. Throughout the Telemachia, Telemachus appears not only to pray to Athena on numerous occasions, but he seems to beg to her for help on three different occasions. However, Telemachus' great struggle from the help of Athena is in Book 2, right shortly after Telemachus finishes the assembly. After he finishes doing what the mighty Pallas Athena told him to do, Telemachus is confused, for after the assembly, the suitors mock and taunt him. Telemachus walks down to the beach and cleanses his hands, and begins to pray to Athena. In his prayer, he explains to Athena on how the day she visited him, she told him to go get a ship and crew, call the assembly and make his move. Yet, after Telemachus calls the assembly, he is mocked and taunted at every chance the suitors get. After hearing this prayer, Athena comes down to Telemachus one more time, however, this time disguised as Mentor. She explains to him that he will be like his father, successful and famous as a strong hero. "Few sons are equals of their fathers; / most fall short, all too few surpass them. / But you, brave and adept from this day on- / Odysseus' cunning has hardly given out in you- / there's every hope that you will reach your goal." (page 102, lines 309-313). One of the reasons for Telemachus going to the beach and praying at that time to Athena was the fact of the suitors taunting and mocking him. Athena is well aware that in order for Telemachus to continue and rise above the suitors, she must remind him, "Put them out of your mind, these suitors' schemes and plots. / They're madmen. Not a shred of decency in the crowd." (page 102, lines 314-315). After Athena prepares Telemachus for his mind set she makes him feel secure, and not alone by telling him, that they two together will go and fit his ship, and launch her out together. This signifies that Telemachus will be alone on his adventure, however, "Mentor"
Some common words found in the essay are:
Athena Telemachus, Pallas Athena, Odysseus's Mentes, Trojan War, Odysseus Telemachus, War Telemachus, Seeing Telemachus, Nestor Finally, Telemachia Telemachus, Due Telemachus's, athena telemachus, return home, help athena, role models, page 87, page 102, call assembly, trojan war, direction divine help, son athena, favored odysseus, trojan war telemachus, page 102 lines, athena favored odysseus, male role models,
Approximate Word count = 1496
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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