How Does Telemachus String The Bow In The Odyssey

Words: 508

Pages: 3

Open Document

The Odyssey, by Homer, there is a story of the protagonist Odysseus and a challenge to marry Penelope. Penelope offers her hand in marriage to whoever can string the bow and shoot an arrow through twelve axeheads. Homer utilizes the bow to symbolize kingship and power. Many suitors attempt the string the bow but are unable to do so. Then a disguised Odysseus is allowed to try. Odysseus strings the bow and takes back his thrown. This symbolizes the authority of the house as Odysseus reclaims his house by stringing the bow. Odysseus strings the bow “without any strain” and is compared to having godlike strength. This represents the incredible strength that Odysseus possessed and his ability to win any battle. In addition, it makes the comparison of Odysseus to a …show more content…
Telemachus tries a few times but is advised to stop by his father Odysseus. This symbolizes how close Telemachus is to replacing his father. By being the only one who can string the bow Odysseus asserts his dominance over the other suitors proves that the other suitors’ attempts to take his wife have been in vain. Odysseus goes on to show his dominance by killing all the other suitors after he had disguised himself. Odysseus display that he is the only one fir to rule the people of Ithaca not only in strength but also in intelligence. This ruse that he pulls on the suitors plotting against him reveals his intelligence and exposes their ignorance. Odysseus puts forth this plan to show the whole world how powerful he is and the strength he wields. Furthermore, the author notes the similarities between the warrior and the bard by comparing the bow and the harp. He compares the warrior to musician or harper, carefully drawing the string in which he uses to convey a story. Earlier in the story, the author gives a backstory explaining how Odysseus obtained the bow. This narrative explains that the bow also represents the importance that Odysseus puts on

The Odyssey English 211 Essay

the Odyssey Garrett Perry/C11472794 English 201 A Dr. Healy With admiration for the epic The Odyssey, Homer portrays the nature of father-son relationships as structured in ancient patriarchal Greece. The promise of a long life and stature depended on the strength and courage a man possessed . Society vaunted at the achievements of man, and sons were often prized when promised to follow in their fathers footsteps. Telemachus, son…

Words 1179 - Pages 5

Odyssey: the Journey of a Hero Essay

Odyssey: The Journey of a Hero The Hero's Journey is never an easy one. This particular journey, as detailed in Homer's The Odyssey, is one of struggle, loss, heartache, pain, growth and triumph. It is comprised of many steps that Odysseus has to overcome and battle through in order to achieve his final goal of reaching his home and his loved ones. From the Call to Adventure to the Freedom or Gift of living, Odysseus conquered them all. The story begins in the middle of the story, as many…

Words 1896 - Pages 8

Odysseus Heroic Qualities

passed down to many generation. In the first Ancient Greek Mythology book The Illustrated Odyssey inspired by epic poem Homer, tells about the adventure of Odysseus, The King of Ithaca voyage begin, after he defeat the Trojans.Odysseus faces many treacherous obstacles and monster because Poseidon hold grudge on him. After 20 yrs. he finally go home Ithaca, disguise by as an old beggar and meet his son Telemachus and kill all the demanding and egocentric suitors. Therefore,Odysseus will remain the epic…

Words 453 - Pages 2

Achilles and Odyssey Compare and Contrast Essay

man. In Homer’s epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey, Achilles and Odysseus are the well-known heroes. Achilles fights Hektor outside the walls of Troy because Hektor killed his best friend, Patroclus. After fighting in the Trojan War, Odysseus takes on a journey to return back to Ithaca to see his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus. Through his use of tone, figurative language, mood, and imagery, Homer’s epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey show how Achilles and…

Words 1631 - Pages 7

The Odyssey Essay

Five Hundred Pages of Greek Mythology Mrs. D’s class used The Odyssey as an example of Greek mythology. The Odyssey shows all thirteen steps of the hero’s journey and the four functions of Greek mythology. Even though this book is five hundred pages long, it is an exemplar of Greek mythology, which is in contrast to most other Greek mythology stories that tend to be short. In the book The Odyssey the main character Odysseus is an exemplar of the hero’s journey. To begin, the initiate is Odysseus…

Words 2082 - Pages 9

Is Odysseus A Better Hero

In Novella and Poem: Identifying How Odysseus is a better hero than Okonkwo When looking into the novella, Things fall apart, by Chinua Achebe, and the poem, The Odyssey, by Homer, one comes at a dilemma on how to argue which hero is the “better hero”. There is two ways one can go about this, you can either argue that said hero is better than the other because they fit the type of hero that they are better than the other hero fits the type of hero they are. Or on the other hand, you can argue who…

Words 1419 - Pages 6

Loyalty Drive

Final Essay: Bravery, Intelligence, and Loyalty Drive “The Odyssey” Homer’s The Odyssey is an epic tale of action, tragedy, and justice. After fighting in Troy, the main character, Ulysses, embarks on a ten-year-long journey to return home and exact revenge on the suitors who have ravaged his kingdom. He faces many hardships but eventually succeeds in his quest, thanks to his courage, cunningness, and devotion to his cause. This paper will outline the most important virtues, justify their relevance…

Words 2632 - Pages 11