Telemachus and Odysseus' Father-Son Relationship Essay

Fathers, they play an immense role in a child life that cannot be fulfilled by anyone else. The task of being a dad vastly affects the child's growth into becoming a young man or a young woman. An example of this is from one of Homer's epics, The Odyssey. This epic was first composed near the end of 8th century BC and told the story of Odysseus; a Greek soldier made famous for his intellectual brilliance. It began following his victory of the Trojan War. Before his departure, Odysseus made an arrogant statement claiming that he single-handedly defeated the Trojans without any help from the gods. It angered Poseidon causing him to elongate his trip by many years. Meanwhile, Ithaca his son Telemachus is being raised by his mother Penelope who was Odysseus's wife. Throughout the Odyssey, Telemachus continues growing and maturing, but there is a clear difference in how he acts when Odysseus returns, making it clear on why it is essential to have a father, whether it's a biological father or father-like figure.

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Telemachus was just a baby when Odysseus had to leave and fight in the Trojan War; therefore he did not have a father for almost 20 years. Almost everyone had believed he had honorably died in the war considering on average it would take a soldier a little under a year to get from Troy back to home. It was a difficult thing for Telemachus, and although most believed he had died, he still held onto the slightest chance that he could still be alive. Although he still had hope Telemachus was droopy, slow and depressed. "I wish at least I had some happy man as a father, going old in this house" (Homer, 1.61-63) This quote said by Telemachus explains how even if it weren't his biological he would like a father like a figure. Without a father or father-like figure, you grow up lacking the connection of a father-son or a father-daughter relationship. Fathers are a pillar to the development of the child's well-being similar to their mother. Children want to make their fathers proud, especially the son. The son will usually try to model after their father in an attempt to be more like them, or be the best version of their father. Telemachus did not have this opportunity. He had to grow and build on his own, making him lack masculine qualities that are important in his step into entering manhood and becoming king. Having a father that is involved in raising the child actually develops and promotes internal growth and strength. When the suitor came into Odysseus house waiting for Penelope's hand in marriage, Telemachus failed to do anything about this situation honestly because of his lack of self-confidence. He repeatedly says that he wishes he knew what Odysseus would do. If Odysseus had been there, Telemachus would have felt much more confident and may have been able to solve this problem earlier.

After almost 20 years of Odysseus's absence Telemachus started losing hope that his father might still be alive, but Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, told him that there is indeed a chance Odysseus is still alive. So Athena puts a crew together for Telemachus. He and his team first sail off to Menelaus's kingdom, Sparta. And Menelaus informs him that, he didn't know anything about him after the Trojan War came to an end. After that, he went to a homestead who then he saw his father disguised as a beggar. But Odysseus could not stand to keep his identity a secret from Telemachus. "Straight to the prince he rushed and kissed his face and kissed his shining eyes both hands, as the tears rolled down his cheeks" (Homer, 16.16-19).

The distance between the father and the son assisted greatly in strengthening love and admiration for each other. The physical distance between them was created by the father who was away from home for 20 years. However, this distance acted as a way of cementing their relationship. The implication is that the absence of the father made the son realize how important a father presence means to his life. As such, he planned for a journey to go looking for his father. It is during this journey that Telemachus proves his worth and braveness. The action of Telemachus risking his life to go looking for his father shows that there was a robust father-son relationship between them "desire to connect all along" (Homer 60).

The strong bonds of father-son relationship can also be shown by the way Telemachus boldly faces the king to enquire the where about of his father. He did not fear the king instead he faced him which shows that he could do anything to get back his father. "To see lord Menelaus...Their face-to-face [to] implore father's whereabouts" (Homer 52).

The emotional connection between Telemachus and Odysseus is also evident. When the son went on a journey to find his father, they finally met. It is during this time where one can identify the emotional connection between them. "Salt tears rose from the wells of longing in both men..../So helpless they cried pouring out tears" (Homer 268). This shows how they had missed each other emotionally. Since both Telemachus and his father are portrayed in the narration as courageous and strong, their tears indicated the emotional bonds between them. They cried out of the joy of their reunion.

The caring nature of the father-son relationship is also evident in the narration. Homer tries to explain the characteristics that facilitate a caring relationship between the son and his father. He asserts that "a son must be willing to do anything for his father, whether it is avenging him or keeping a secret for him (49)." These values can be found both in Telemachus and his father. The father, as well as the son, will do anything possible to ensure the safety of the other. Telemachus risks his life to go on a journey looking for him. In return, the father also shows caring values toward his son. He protected Telemachus from the suitors who disturbed him, "You yellow dogs, you thought I'd never make it/you took my house to plunder...You dared bid for my wife while I was still alive...Your last hour has come. You die in blood" (Homer 410).

The return of Odysseus significantly affected the life of his son Telemachus. It is after his father return that Telemachus regained the father care that he had missed for twenty years. He had always wished to have a father even if not a biological one. His emotions also improved making him feel whole again knowing that his father is now home. The father return reassured him of ever having a father who was a caring figure which promoted his joy (Homer 412).

Conclusion

The narration portrays father-son relationship as a bond that cannot be broken easily. Telemachus and his father both have an obligation of taking care of each other. Nevertheless, this relationship has been expressed as being internal. The twenty years of separation did not affect it; rather it strengthens it even more. Telemachus had all the hope that his father is still alive and this is why he decides to go looking for him. Their relationship is so that each one of them could sacrifice himself and do anything to ensure the safety of the other. The bond between them also makes them have characteristics that are common such as being brave. The father was a worrier, and he had gone on a battlefield to fight for his people. Telemachus going to look for his father also shows how brave he was. It implies that he was using the father as the mirror in developing his identity.

Work Cited

Homer, Homer. The odyssey. Xist Publishing, 2015.