Comparing Odysseus And Telemachus In Homer's The Odyssey

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Everyone must face tests in life, but we don’t have to alone. The tale of Homer’s “The Odyssey” tells the epic journey of Trojan war noble veteran, Odysseus, as he encounters challenges along his crusade to reach his home. Homer contrasts a father and son relationship through physical, emotional, and intellectual characteristics of Odysseus and Telemachus to show two different journeys come together. First, Homer emphasizes an example in strength when they each try to string a bow with very different results. Second, Homer shows the emotions they share for one another. Finally, Homer highlights their wisdom they each hold.
The physical abilities of Odysseus separate him as a hero in Greek culture. Telemachus possesses strengths of his own, but he is no match for his father. Odysseus is undoubtedly the strongest human being in the tale. Telemachus has been measurable to the Gods themselves during The Iliad and his role in the Trojan war. Homer compares the great strength of the two when they both attempt to string the great bow, with quite different results. Telemachus is first to make his attempt and even after gathering all his strength, he could not get the loop of the bowstring …show more content…
When the two are finally reunited, Odysseus reveals his true image to his son, and tells of the pain he has endured to return home to Ithaca. “But I am here at last after twenty years of suffering”. (Book XVI 218-220) This would make his son already a man. You can feel the missing sensation in both of their lives whole again when they meet face to face. “And Telemachus threw his arms around his wonderful father and wept.” (Book XV1 225-229). These are two powerful Greek legends, but they are still father and son, meeting and sharing emotions for the first time. Telemachus grew up, never knowing his father but solely through others words. Both characters share an immense amount of heart along their two very different
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