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What Role Does Telemachus Play In The Odyssey

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Early in the morning, Telemachus leaves from the swineherd's house and goes to check on his mother at the palace. Once Telemachus tells of the little news he has of Odysseus, Theoclymenus, the seer, says that Odysseus is in Ithaca as the speak and about to make his triumphant return. The prediction is quickly put to the side because of the length of time Odysseus has been gone. Shortly after, Odysseus and Eumaeus leave the hut for the palace as well. They run into Melanthius, a goat herder, who starts yelling insults at Odysseus and the swineherd about their social status. Right outside the palace walls, Odysseus and Argos, Odysseus's dog, recognize each other. This is the first time they have seen each other since Odysseus left. When Argos saw him, he died on the spot. …show more content…
Telemachus escorts Eumaeus and Odysseus into the banquet. Eumaeus is allowed to sit at the table with the suitors, but Odysseus must assume his role as a beggar. Antinous refuses to give scraps to the king of Ithaca.(Odysseus) Antinous then hurls a footstool at the once great hero, and Odysseus does not even flinch Penelope hears of the unruly behavior and of the beggar being a world traveler, so she wants to see the man to see if he has news of her husband. In this book, Odysseus ironically returns home as a beggar, therefore showing his humility. Also, Odysseus does not receive the taken for granted heroes welcome.Odysseus shows character development by not reacting to the insults and physical abuse from the suitors. "With that he seized the stool and hurled it -- square in the back it struck Odysseus just under the right shoulder, but he stood up against it steady as a rock, unstaggered by Antinous' blow"(Homer XVII 509-13). Just outside the palace, Odysseus is talking to Eumaeus about the plan on going into the palace.

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