Odysseus' and Telemachus' Hero's Journey

Telemachus' Hero's Journey

Return with Elixir

Mentor

"...but she (Athena) had given Telemachus courage, and had made him think more than ever about his father...and (he) knew the stranger had been a god." (16)

"'you say truly, my dear father,' answered Telemachus, 'and you shall see, if you will, that I am in no mind to disgrace your family.'

"'Laertes was delighted when he heard this. 'Good heavens,' he exclaimed, 'what a day I am enjoying: I do indeed rejoice at it. My son and grandson are vying with one another in the matter of valor.'" (250)

Crossing the Threshold

Telemachus realized that the one who had helped him to have the courage for his journey was actually a god.

"when they had brought all the things as he told them, Telemachus went on board...then the ship sped on her way through the watches of the light from dark till dawn." (26)

Telemachus and his father were back together. Now, Telemachus was no longer whining, but a man of true valor.

Telemachus and his crew set off to go to Pylos and Sparta.

Refusal of Call

Telemachus allies with Nestor after he faces the challenge of speaking to him and learning about his father.

"...you god who visited me yesterday, and bade me sail the seas in search of my father who has so long been missing. I would obey you, but the Achaeans, and more particularly the wicked suitors, are hindering me that I cannot do so." (23)

Archetype found in the Odyssey:

Telemachus recalled what Mentes had said and felt he should not go from the grief he was getting from the suitors.

Tests, Allies, or Enemies

"As he spoke Zeus sent two eagles from the top of the mountain, and they flew on and on with the wind, sailing side by side." (21)

"'Nestor,' said he, 'I seek the news of my unhappy father Odysseus, who is said to have sacked the town of Troy in company with yourself...Do not soften out pity for me but tell me in all plainness what you saw." (28-29)

The eagles are an archetype representing strength, valor, and power. By sending such fine birds, the reader can also know that Zeus also holds great strength and power, as the birds do.

Resurrection and Rebirth Of Hero

Archetype found in the Odyssey:

"When they had done so they opened the gates and sailed forth, Odysseus leading the way. It was now daylight but Athena nevertheless concealed them in darkness and led them quickly out of the town." (239)

Call TO Adventure

Approach To inmost Cave

The words golden and silver are used to describe wealth and riches. By giving someone something golden, they are being given something of great value and worth. By receiving water from a golden ewer and silver basin, Athena is shown to be important and worthy of such riches.

"I would however urge you to set about trying to get rid of these suitors...take the best ship you can get, with a crew of twenty men, and go in quest of your father who has so long been missing." (16)

Telemachus and his father left to go visit Laertes.

Athena Disguises as Mentes and proposed the journey to Telemachus.

"But leave a sword and spear apiece for yourself and me, and a couple of ox hide shields...let you and me exploit the women alone, and let us also make trial of some other of the servants, to see who is on our side and whose hand is against us." (170)

"A maid servant brought them water in a beautiful golden ewer and poured it into a silver basin for them to wash their hands." (13)

Telemachus and his father planned their attack on the suitors.

Ordinary World

Supreme Ordeal

The Road Back

"Telemachus and the two others shoveled up blood and dirt from the ground...then when they had made the whole place quite clean and orderly, they took the women out and hemmed them in the narrow space between the wall of the domed room and that of the yard, so that they could not get away...Telemachus said to the other two, 'I shall not let these women die a clean death, for they were insolent to me and my mother, and used to sleep with the suitors.'" (230)

Reward

"The suitors now aimed a second time, but again Athena made their weapons for the most part without effect...still, Amphimedon took a piece of the top skin off Telemachus' wrist, and Ctesippus managed to graze Eumaeus' shoulder above the shield...then Odysseus and his men let drive into the crowd of suitors. Odysseus hit Eurydamas, Telemachus Amphimedon, and Eumaeus Polybus." (227-228)

Telemachus watched and whined wishing his dad was there to control the suitors.

"He was sitting moodily among the suitors thinking about his brave father, and how he would send them flying out of the house, if he were to come to his own again. Thus brooding as he sat among them..." (13)

"Telemachus threw his arms around his father and wept." (168)

Telemachus had to clean up the mess from the killing of all the suitors.

Telemachus has found his dad and is extremely happy to know he is alive and to be with him.

Telemachus and his father fought the suitors.