Telemachus Emotions In The Odyssey

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Emotion is a major part of the reunion between two people. The reunion between Telemachus and Odysseus in The Odyssey is the most emotional out of all because it is their first time meeting since Telemachus was a baby. At first neither Telemachus nor Odysseus recognize each other, and only do when they tell each other who they are. While Odysseus recognizes Telemachus first, he hides his emotion in order to maintain disguise. However, soon they both are revealed to each other and both express the overpowering joy they have to be united at last. The emotion that Telemachus and Odysseus have is overwhelming and strong, but ultimately the two easily reconnect, and through their emotion they have the courage to take down the suitors. …show more content…

It is stated, “he kissed his son and let his tears/fall to the ground. He had held them in until now” (Bk XVI, 202-203). Finally, at last after his 10 years fighting at war and 10 years trying to return home, Odysseus is reunited with family for the first time. The emotion Odysseus is feeling is overwhelming and strong as he realizes the mental and physical battle he went through was worth it. Telemachus has much of the same emotion as Odysseus. Although at first Telemachus does not believe that Odysseus is really Odysseus and its just spirit playing a trick on him, he quickly realizes his long lost father has finally returned. When he recognizes who his father is he, “threw his arms around his wonderful father/ and wept. And a longing arose in both of them/ to weep and lament, and their shrill cries/ crowded the air” (Bk XVI, 225-228). For Telemachus and Odysseus there is finally a joyful hiatus in all of the struggle and hardship that was going on and they relax in each other’s presence. They connect with each other like they’ve always known each other, and like they were never actually separated. The reunion between Telemachus and Odysseus is important because it is father and son reuniting together for the first time. They grow stronger together and united to take down the

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