Telemachus' Journey

Telemachus' Journey

Resurrection

Return with Elixir

Citations

The Road Back

Telemachus can now go back to having a normal life without pestering suitors. His father has returned, and Telemachus now has his family back together.

Quote: "They came out holding torches, then gathered round Odysseus, embracing him. They clasped and kissed his head, his hands, and shoulders, in loving welcome. A sweet longing seized him to sigh and weep, for in his heart he knew them all." Pg.448, Book XXII, Lines 611-615

Telemachus wants to purify the household of the women that betrayed them, but he doesn't want them to be let off the hook so easily.

Quotes: “I don't want to take these women's lives with a clean death. They've poured insults on my head, on my mother, and were always sleeping with the suitors.” Pg.446, Book 22, Lines 573-576

"...find out they've been welcomed by a dreadful bed, that's how those women held their heads all in a row, with nooses fixed around their necks, so they'd have a pitiful death." Pg. 447, Book XXII, Lines 581-584

Now that the battle is won, the household is in the process of returning back to its original form. This can be seen as a return to the Ordinary World.

Quote:“Start carrying those corpses outside now, and then take charge of the servant women. Have these splendid chairs and tables cleaned, wiped with porous sponges soaked in water." Pg.445, Book XXII, Lines 542-545

1. http://study.com/academy/lesson/who-are-the-suitors-in-the-odyssey.html

2. http://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/B184687/Telemachus-was-introduced-to-a-newcomer-named-Mentes?img=1&search=sword&bool=phrase

3. http://hoocher.com/Angelika_Kauffmann/Angelica_Kauffmann.htm

4. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Telemachus_and_Mentor1.JPG

5. http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/images/mlw_0001_0003_0_img0154.jpg

6. http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/lookandlearn-preview/B/B184/B184717.jpg

7. http://odyssey1stblock.wikispaces.com/Characters

8. https://semeng1-4th.wikispaces.com/Odyssey+22

9. http://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/greatworks1/page/13/

10. http://www.mariyarosedesigns.com/theatrical/odyssey

11. http://storyseer.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-handmaidens-tale.html

12. http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/30/odyssey-soldier-afghanistan-military-homer

Ordinary World

Reward

Odysseus has his family back together.

"They came out holding torches, then gathered round Odysseus, embracing him. They clasped and kissed his head, his hands, and shoulders, in loving welcome. A sweet longing seized him to sigh and weep, for in his heart he knew them all." Pg.448, Book XXII, Lines 611-615

Telemachus' ordinary world is a miserable life in his family's home. His father, Odysseus, has been missing for years and most people believe he's dead. And suitors who are competing for his mother's heart are using and destroying all of his father's belongings. This part of the story is when Telemachus' problems are established.

Quote: "He was sitting with the suitors, his heart troubled, picturing in his mind how his noble father might get back, scatter the suitors from his home, win honor for himself, and regain control of his own household." Pg.12, Book I, 149-152

Everything is being returned to the way it was before the battle

“Start carrying those corpses outside now, and then take charge of the servant women. Have these splendid chairs and tables cleaned, wiped with porous sponges soaked in water." Pg.445, Book XXII, Lines 542-545

The women are to be hanged for their betrayal.

"...find out they've been welcomed by a dreadful bed, that's how those women held their heads all in a row, with nooses fixed around their necks, so they'd have a pitiful death." Pg. 447, Book XXII, Lines 581-584

The suitors are now dead. Telemachus has now regained ownership of his home, and he has retrieved his father.

Quote: "Divine Fate and their own reckless acts have killed these men, who failed to honour any man on earth who came among them, bad or good. And so through their depravity they've met an evil fate." Pg. 444-445, Book XXII, Lines 513-517

The Hero

The suitors have been killed.

Quote: "Divine Fate and their own reckless acts have killed these men, who failed to honour any man on earth who came among them, bad or good. And so through their depravity they've met an evil fate." Pg. 444-445, Book XXII, Lines 513-517

What is the character's goal?

The Hero in our Journey is Telemachus because his primary purpose was to answer Athena's challenge and find his father and remove the suitors from his home.

Quote: "He's gone abandoning me to tears and sorrow. But it's not him alone who makes me sad and cry out in distress. For now the gods have brought me other grievous troubles. All the best young men who rule the islands, and Same, as well as those who lord it here wooing my mother and ravaging my house." Pg. 17-18, Book I, 328-338

The Ordeal

The suitors fighting for Penelope's heart.

Quote: The Suitors are the rich young aristocratic men of Ithaca and the islands who are seeking to marry Penelope, Odysseus’ wife, in the belief that Odysseus is dead. (Footnote 1, Pg.12).

Telemachus and Odysseus battle the suitors.

“Friends, now I'll give the word—let's hurl our spears into that crowd of suitors trying to kill us, adding to the harmful acts they did before.” Pg. 439, Book XXII, Lines 330-332

Telemachus faces his ordeal when he returns to Ithaca with Odysseus. Together they engage in battle against the suitors. The suitors easily outnumber them, but Telemachus and Odysseus defeat them with ease.

Quote: “Friends, now I'll give the word—let's hurl our spears into that crowd of suitors trying to kill us, adding to the harmful acts they did before.” Pg. 439, Book XXII, Lines 330-332

Shadow

What is the character's goal?

The suitors who plan on taking Penelope as their wife are the shadows of this story. They stay at Telemachus' home, insult his family, and use all their resources. Telemachus hates them, and they are the villians in this story.

Quote: "These men here, they spend all their time like this, with songs and music—it's so easy for them,

because they gorge themselves on what belongs to someone else, and with impunity..." Pg. 14, Book I, Lines 206-209

Trickster

What is the character's function on the Journey?

Odysseus is a trickster in this story. He dresses up as a begger in order to stay unknown. He helps Telemachus defeat the suitors.

Quote:"Now is the time to speak to your own son—make yourself known and don't conceal the facts, so you two can plan the suitors' lethal fate, then go together to the famous city." Pg. 318, Book XVI, Lines 211-214

Call to Adventure

Shapeshifter

Athena appears disguised as Mentes and gives Telemachus advice on what to tell the suitors and what to do about his father. This throws his ordinary world off balance.

Quote: "Tomorrow you must call Achaea's warriors to an assembly and address them all, appealing to the gods as witnesses. Tell the suitors to return to their own homes." Pg. 19, Book I, 371-374

Quote: "Get yourself a crew of twenty rowers and the best boat you possess. Then leave here—set off in search of news about your father, who's been gone so long."Pg. 19, Book I, 383-386

Telemachus meeting Athena who is disguised as Mentes.

Quote: "...he saw Athena.He immediately walked over to the outer gate, for in his heart he considered it disgraceful that a stranger should remain a long time at his door." Pg. 12-13, Book I, 153-156

What is the character's function on the Journey?

Odysseus is also a shapeshifter. While he is dresses as a begger, Telemachus is unsure of him.

Quote: "How can I welcome this guest into my home?" Pg.314, Book XVI. Lines 78-79

Telemachus and Odysseus plan to get rid of the suitors.

"But come now, tell me about the number of the suitors, so I know how many men there are and what they're like." Pg. 320, Book XVI, Lines 292-295

The Herald

Approach the Inmost Cave

What is the character's function in the Journey?

Athena is the Herald in the story because she is the one who calls Telemachus to adventure and makes the announcement that basically starts the story.

Quote: Tomorrow you must call Achaea's warriors to an assembly and address them all, appealing to the gods as witnesses. Tell the suitors to return to their own homes. As for your mother, if her heart is set on getting married, then let her return to where her father lives, for he's a man of power with great capabilities. He'll organize the marriage and arrange

the wedding gifts, as many as befit

a well-loved daughter. Pg.19, Book I, 371-381

Telemachus discovers that the begger is Odysseus. Togethter they make plans to kill the suitors.

Quote: "But I am your father, on whose account you grieve and suffer so much trouble, having to endure men's acts of violence.” Pg. 319, Book 16, Lines 234-236

"But come now, tell me about the number of the suitors, so I know how many men there are and what they're like." Pg. 320, Book XVI, Lines 292-295

Telemachus meeting with King Menelaus.

Quote: “My lad, the way you've spoken out proclaims your noble blood. So I'll exchange those gifts. That I can do." Pg. 87, Book IV, 825-827

Telemachus is mourning his father because he believes Odysseus is dead.

Quote: "Eurymachus, my father's journey back to Ithaca is no doubt done for." Pg.24, Book I, 556-558

Refusal of Call

Tests, Allies and Enemies

Telemachus doesn't fully refuse his journey but he does face an internal struggle. He starts to believe that his father is dead and that there is no hope to be rid of the suitors.

Quote: “Eurymachus, my father's journey back to Ithaca is no doubt done for. I no longer trust in messages, no matter what the source." Pg.24, Book I, 556-559

Telemachus meets his mentor Athena.

Quote: "Telemachus led Pallas Athena into his home." Page 13, Book I, 164-165,

Telemachus preparing for his journey.

Quote: "Just give me a swift ship and twenty rowers— so I can make a journey and return to various places..." Pg. 34, Book I, 285-287

Telemachus meets many people on his journey; allies and enemies. He aslo faced many tests. This all helped Telemachus find out who he could trust and who he couldn't.

Quote: 'Then the great war-shouter Menelaus smiled, patted Telemachus with his hand, and said: “My lad, the way you've spoken out proclaims your noble blood. So I'll exchange those gifts. That I can do. Of all the things stored up here in my home, I'll give you the finest, the most expensive one. I'll offer you a beautifully crafted mixing bowl. It's all silver, with rims of hammered gold. Hephaestus made it. Warrior Phaedimus, the Sidonians' king, presented it to me when I went there and his home sheltered me. Now I'd like to give that mixing bowl to you.” Pg. 87, Book IV, 823-835

Meeting the Mentor

Threshold Guardian

Telemachus first meets the Mentor when he is dining with the suitors in his father's home. Athena walks in disguised as Mentes and gives Telemachus advice. Athena gave him the confidence to overcome his fears.

Quote: "As he thought about all this, sitting there among the suitors, he saw Athena." Pg.12, Book I, 153-154

Quote: "Telemachus led Pallas Athena into his home." Page 13, Book I, 164-165,

Mentor

What is the character's function on this journey?

The Threshold Guardian is Athena. She provides tests for Telemachus throughout the story to both see if he can succeed on his journey and to prove to him that he is trong enough to do so.

Quote: "You must not delay that trip you wish to make. I am a friend of your ancestral home, so much so that I will furnish a fast ship for you and come in person with you." Pg. 37, Book II, 384-388

Crossing the Threshold

What is the character's function on the Journey?

The mentor in this story is Athena because she aides Telemachus throughout the story and provides information, gifts, and advice to help him with his journey.

Quote: For there's no chance that brave Odysseus has died somewhere. No. He's still alive but being detained on an island, surrounded by the sea, with wild and dangerous men restraining him, holding him back against his will. But now, let me tell you about a prophecy the gods have set here in my heart." Pg. 15-16, Book I, 260-267

Telemachus demands a meeting with all the suitors and tells them of his plan to take a boat and twenty rowers on a journey to find his father and what he will do if he finds Odysseus and what he will do if he does not. This shows that Telemachus was committed to the journey.

Quote: "Just give me a swift ship and twenty rowers— so I can make a journey and return to various places, to sandy Pylos and then to Sparta, to see if I can find some news about my father's voyage home— he's been gone so long—if any mortal man can tell me. Or I'll hear Zeus' voice perhaps, which commonly provides men information. If I hear my father is still living and returning home, I could hold out here for one more year, although it's hard for me. If I learn he's dead and gone, I'll come back to my dear native land, build him a tomb, and there perform as many funeral rites as are appropriate. And after that, I'll give my mother to a husband.” Pg. 34, Book I, 285-300