Odysseus V Telemachus

Jon Dunlap3/8/12 Odysseus v TelemachusPeriod 2 Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences youve had, and what youve learned from them, and little to do with how many an(prenominal) birthdays youve celebrated. Anonymous (Thinkexist. com). Maturity is a key theme during the move arounds of Telemachus and Odysseus. In Homers Odyssey the journeys of Telemachus and Odysseus have many similarities and differences much(prenominal) as their putting surface aim and the lessons they learn and only by overcoming these obstacles argon they able to become emotion associate stronger and find success in Ithaca.Odysseus and Telemachus respective journeys have many similarities such as the common enemy the share and the goal they are fighting towards. First, due to Odysseus long absence after the war, he was thought to be dead, which lead to a large influx of suitors wishing to marry Penelope. During The Odyssey the suitors represent a common enemy between Telemachus and Odysseus . The sons are pestering my m opposite to marry them against her will. They are afraid to go to her father hanging about my fathers house never giving as much as a thought to the quantity of wine they drink.No estate can stand such recklessness we have now no Odysseus to ward remove harm from our doors, and I cannot hold my own against them (Butler BK 2). The suitors not only threaten Telemachus right as King of Ithaca, but they also threaten Odysseus home and marriage to Penelope. Next, in addition to sharing a common enemy, Telemachus and Odysseus both have a common goal in mind throughout their journeys to reunite their family. Telemachus hatfuls out to Pylos and Sparta hoping to find his father and drive off the suitors, while Odysseus is also trying to return to Ithaca to visualize his wife and son after his 20 year absence.He uses his powers of persuasion to gain Calypsos choose shortly before leaving her island Goddess, replied Odysseus, do not be angry Penelope is nothing like so t wholly or so stunning as yourself Nevertheless, I want to get home, and can think of nothing else (Butler BK 5). It is this drive and determination that Odysseus and Telemachus eventu onlyy share that eventually able help them in reuniting at the end of The Odyssey. Odysseus and Telemachus have one final thing in common on their journeys they are both aided by Athena.Athena had been an ally of Odysseus since the Trojan War, mainly because she reminded him of herself. Throughout The Odyssey Athena aides both friendes on several occasions Athena begs her father Zeus to allow her to aid Odysseus, so he can go home to his family, Father, son of Kronos, King of kings, it served Aegisthus right it is for Odysseus that my nerve centre bleeds, when I think of his sufferings in that lonely sea-girt island, far away, poor man, from all his friends (Butler BK 1).Athena helps Telemachus by getting him his ship and crew before the journey to search for word of Odysseus, and develops a bond with both of them throughout the story. Despite the many similarities, Odysseus and Telemachus are very different as evidenced by the way they behave, their respective upbringings, and the lessons they learn. The first main difference between Odysseus and Telemachus is the way they behave nether pressure. Odysseus, having had many years of experience and the gift of persuasive speaking, tends to handle problems with patience and careful planning.This can be seen as he charms Nausicaa into aiding him on Scheria, O queen, he said, I implore your aid- but say me, are you a goddess or are you a mortal woman? If you are a goddess you are Zeus young lady Diana, for your face and figure resemble none but hers if on the other hand you are a mortal and live on earth, how proud and dexterous they must feel when they see so fair a scion as yourself going out to a dance I never yet saying any one so beautiful, neither man nor woman, and am lost in admiration as I beho ld you (Butler BK 6).Telemachus, however, lacks this maturity and seems to playact more on impulse. This can be seen when he has an emotional outburst in the Ithacan assembly, Moreover, if I am to be eaten out of house and home at all, I had rather you did the eating yourselves, for I could then take action against you to some purpose, and serve you with notices from house to house till I got paid in full, whereas now I have no remedy. With this Telemachus dashed his staff to the ground and burst into tears. Everyone was very sorry for him, but they all sat still and no one ventured to make him an angry answer (Butler BK 2).One can see that by using his persuasion Odysseus is able to prevail, while Telemachus angry outbursts do nothing but hurt his reputation This absence of maturity ties into the next key difference between Odysseus and Telemachus which is the way that they were raised. Odysseus lived a rich and fulfilling childhood as a prince on Ithaca under his father Laertes and his mother Anticlea. He was given all the guidance and enrichment ask for him to grow into the hero he would eventually become. Telemachus on the other hand, was raised without a father.Odysseus left for the Trojan War when he was only an infant and did not return for 20 years, which meant that Telemachus grew up without the guidance he needed to become a man. Athena was eventually forced to step in and help boost his confidence during Telemachus journey, Athena led the way and Telemachus followed her. Presently she said, Telemachus, you must not be in the least shy or nervous you have taken this voyage to try and find out where your father is buried and how he came by his end so go straight up to Nestor that we may see what he has got to tell us.Beg of him to speak the truth, and he will tell no lies, for he is an excellent person (Butler BK 3). If it werent for this lack of a father, he may have had the courage to stand up to the suitors himself. The final key difference betw een Odysseus and Telemachus is the lessons that they learn throughout The Odyssey. Odysseus and Telemachus both go through a great deal of change during their journeys and each benefit from it. Odysseus learns to set his pride aside.This can be seen as Odysseus is found crying on the beach of Calypsos island, a far different Odysseus than the cunning, arrogant hero pictured in The Iliad, Ulysses was not within he was on the sea-shore as usual, looking out upon the barren ocean with tears in his eyes, groaning and breaking his heart for sorrow (Butler BK 5). This represents his ritual death, because not only is he believed to be dead by Ithaca, but he is at one of his lifes lowest points. It is only after overcoming this that he will be able to return home. Telemachus learns a lesson almost opposite to Odysseus.Telemachus learns to be a man and gains self-confidence. This run of maturation is set in motion by the Goddess Athena in book two where she says to Telemachus, Youll lack ne ither courage nor sense from this day on, not if your fathers spirit courses through your veins- now there was a man, Id say, in words and actions both Few sons are equals of their fathers most fall short, all too hardly a(prenominal) surpass them. But you brave and adept from this day on- Odysseus cunning has hardly given out in you- theres every hope that you will reach your goal (Butler BK 2).Here Athena is telling Telemachus that he will be great and will succeed in his ventures because he is his fathers son. From this moment on we begin to see a very sudden transformation or Rebirth in terms of Telemachus heros journey. He starts from a young defenseless boy, and ends his journey a man. Telemachus and Odysseus respective journeys have many similarities and differences ranging from their common enemy, to the lessons they learn, although the purpose of these journeys is clear to find success in Ithaca.Many factors, be it luck, cunning, or supernatural aid all aid both men in th ese journeys. Telemachus and Odysseus may not be the most similar heroes, but through the challenges they face, they become emotionally stronger and reunite their family erstwhile more. As an anonymous intellectual once said, Anyone can give up its the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you dangle apart, thats true strength (boardofwisdom. com)