The position of Odyssey is characterized by strength, courage and self-confidence. Telemachus is very proud of his father and looking up at him sees the hero, who he wants to be one day in the future. They both proud of each other. However, their relationships have a physical distance which makes them missing each other. Odyssey tries to get home, while Telemachus takes matters into his own hands and goes in search of his father, which makes him stepping into his fathers shoes. Homer shows a deep relationships of ancient Greek society between a father and a son. Despite the fact that they did not see each other for a long time and how many obstacles they faced, they have not lost this deep connection between each other.
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Hi!
I think your point of view on this topic is very interesting! While reading the book, I sometimes do wonder what the relationship between Odysseus and Telemachus actually is. Telemachus hasn’t seen his father for many many years, and has no idea where he is and if he is even alive (until Athena comes along) – so does he even know, love, or miss his father?
I feel that Telemachus feels a bit incomplete in the first half of the novel when he is basically hopeless and lets the suitors continue taking advantage of his father’s home. Even though they barely know each other given the amount of time Odysseus has been gone, the readers feel that Telemachus loves his father because he listens to Athena and tries to compile information on where his father could possibly be. Also, readers get a sense of rekindling love between father and son when Odysseus and Telemachus reunite back at home. I think that the theme of father and son is definitely prominent in this novel.