The Realtionship of a Father and Son in Homer’s Odyssey Essay

With time come change, change in the human experience. That fact applies no differently to literature, specifically reflected through reading ancient prose with a modern lens. A relevant example is the relationship of a father and son in Homer’s Odyssey. Through characterization on the surface, this significant relationship appears quite distinct in contrast to such relationships today. However, these quite humane and sentimental relationships are no different than those experienced today—those of a father and son. Quite frankly, what is true of humans in the ancient world is true to humans today, ability to feel such potent emotion, to experience such a significant relationship yields the human need of affection and connection, as†¦show more content†¦It is a substance filled human relationship which involved much, almost as the modern day phrase â€Å"keep it real† suggests, the true emotion, a sense of sanctuary, protection and understanding between t he two, almost a notion of equality, recognizing each for his talents, finding respectability thereof. During this bond, Telemachus fills a gap that had lingered in his identity, especially through the foundation of his life, the bleeding gap of not having a father present, to fill that gap, that gap of understanding and companionship. A germane example would be that moment in today’s world that a parentless child, being instilled from place to place, is finally able to call a family his home. It is comparable to that emotional bonding time of that child, who has just been gifted with the ability to make that connection. It is that time of true human emotion that fills not only the moment, but the void, just as experienced by Odysseus and Telemachus. This special bond is so significant, the void thereof can be deemed impossible to fill. The emotion portrayed through this affectionate relationship is no different than that experienced by humans in ancient times. However, the patriarchal climate of Ancient Greece makes room for discrepancy in the emphasis of such relationships, in the difference of values and beliefs. In Ancient Greece, the son was a prized possession, almost a material of the father, expected to