Examples Of Orestes In The Odyssey

In the epic “The Odyssey” written by Homer, there is an idea of a “great and powerful son.” That idea revolves around someone who can grow up courageous, confident, strong, be just like his dad and then later take his place. A great example of a “great and powerful son” is Orestes. Upon Agamemnon’s (Orestes’s father) return from Troy , he was murdered by a man named Aigisthos whose goal was to claim Agamemnon’s wife Clytemnestra. In response, Orestes “Cut down that two-faced man” (p.10) and avenged his father. Orestes was brave and followed the footsteps of his father. Telemakhos (the son of King Odysseus and Queen Penelope) develops into a son quite similar to Orestes. Although this development leads Telemakhos to be similar to Homer’s idea

As an infant, while living with his mother in a palace after his father Odysseus left for Troy, Telemakhos did not grow up with a father figure. This led Telemakhos to be an immature and delicate boy. Early in the epic, a large group of young princes and royal men called suitors showed up to the palace to court his mother Penelope. These suitors caused a ruckus by barging in and feasting on their food and wine, as well as threatening Telemakhos. Given Telemakhos’ lack of courage and confidence, he did not know how to handle the situation. As a result, Zeus granted permission to a goddess named Athena to travel to Ithaka and teach Telemakhos his responsibilities as a young prince. He gained the courage and confidence to gather up the suitors to warn them: “Odysseus will not be absent from his family long: he is already near, carrying him a bloody doom for all these men, and sorrow for many more on our high seamark, Ithaka.” (p.24) Athena also instructs Telemakhos about the journey he must go on to find out whether or not his father is alive . Homer wrote, “Odysseus’ true son stood up, drew on his tunic and his mantle, slung on a sword-belt and a new edged sword, tied his feet into good rawhide sandals, and left his room.” When Homer says, “Odysseus’ true son stood up,” he is implying that Telemakhos has become more of a man. After Telemakhos’ journey and as the book progresses, Telemakhos and Odysseus have a bloody brawl with the suitors and they win. Whether it was Telemakhos standing up to the suitors and denouncing them, or him going on his brave journey, Telemakhos was a fragile boy who develops courage and confidence throughout the