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Disarray Of The House Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

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Disarray of the house of Odysseus
In Homer’s Odyssey, books one and two, the Greek hero Odysseus hasn’t returned from the battle with the Trojans and his house is being devoured by suitors of his wife, while his son, Telemachus, idly seats by, mourning his father as his inheritance is gradually diminished. Despite the suitor’s ruthlessness and his mother’s constant teasing, Telemachus is to blame for the lengthy duration in which the suitors ravaged his home by evidence of his negligence and need for divine intervention.
In the absence of his father Odysseus, Telemachus as the head of the house fails to keep things in order. His mother is uncontrollable, teasing and tricking suitors, whilst his father’s house is being turned into a public festivity ground for strangers to have their fill of its resources. He is mocked and ridiculed when he tries to convey an assembly to get rid of the suitors and declare his plans to go searching for news of his father. Telemachus lacks the kind of respect that was shown to his father and as heir to his father’s political position, doesn’t …show more content…

They are always blaming the gods for their troubles, when their own witlessness Causes them more than they were destined for!.” Telemachus interprets his misfortune as a trial of the gods, herby implicitly blaming them for his situation. The lord of the sky decides to find a way in bringing Odysseus home and not trusting Telemachus to take charge of the situation. Athena even volunteers to assist Telemachus and sets up the plans to restore order to the house of Odysseus. In Greek culture, it was uncommon for the gods to mingle in the household affairs of men as they were viewed as the head of the household. For the gods to intervene in Telemachus’ situation, he can be viewed as being an incapable man of the house. Therefore, by requiring the intervention of the gods before acting, Telemachus can be blamed for the progression of the

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