The Odyssey: Telemachus Essay, Research Paper
The Odyssey: Telemachus
Telemachus recounts his confrontation with the Old man of the sea who could
change his appearance in order to escape danger. Telemachus reveals the
information which he obtained from the Old man of the sea to the reader. The
Old man told Telemachus of the sorrowful tale of Agamemnon’s Murder. The story
tells of how Aegisthus paid a man to watch for Agamemnon’s return from the sea.
After a year of waiting, the King returned in what he thought to be secrecy.
The lookout man relayed the information to Aegisthus and he had Agamemnon’s
finest warriors become preoccupied with a small confrontation in one end of the
castle. In the other end of the castle, Aegisthus had a banquet and feast
prepared for Agamemnon. Aegisthus took a chariot to the sea and picked up
Agamemnon. Agamemnon was very happy and he believed that Aegisthus was his
friend. He returned to the palace and after the feast Aegisthus slain him in
his own bedroom. Eight years later, Orestes returned from Athens and killed
Aegisthus and his own deceitful mother.
Nestor forewarns Telemachus not to stray too far or too long from home or
to leave his wealth unguarded with all of the contemptuous suitors in the palace.
He tells Telemachus that if he does stay away for too long the suitors will
take all of his wealth and in effect, making his small Odyssey futile. This is
very substantial information which Telemachus had encounter in order to direct
his attention and actions towards what was right.