Becoming a Hero

The Odyssey was a tale of a heroic man named Odysseus. Odysseus was no stranger to a challenge; he even had to fight for his hand in marriage. Odysseus married a women named Penelope and they had one child together. Their child was named Telemachus, now a young boy who wants to be a hero just like his father. One day, Odysseus was forced to leave and embark into battle. The Trojan War was a fierce battle in a far away land. Consequently, Telemachus was left to protect Penelope and their home in Ithaca, Greece. Penelope had no idea when Odysseus would return, but kept his memory alive as she told her son of his heroic exploits. This is the story of Telemachus’s journey to one day reunite with his father.

Penelope tells heroic stories to Telemachus (age 6) about his father Odysseus while Telemachus plays in the court yard in Ithaca adorning his father’s clothes. Moreover, Telemachus imagines the time when he will be fighting monsters, battling gods, and sailing across the open sea.

It has been 10 years and there is still no sign of Odysseus. Telemachus’s mother, Penelope, is being fancied by other suitors and Telemachus does not want that to happen. Telemachus is sixteen and he is starting to become proficient at sailing and combat.

Telemachus is now a man and has set out on his first voyage with his crew to find word of his father after 15 years. He has heard that Odysseus may have been seen at the Island of the Cyclops and the course was set. 

Once Telemachus and his crew reached the Island of the Cyclops, they were greeted much like Odysseus. To save his men, Telemachus convinced the Cyclops that he was there to kill Odysseus. Telemachus feared the Cyclops would surely kill them all if he had mentioned Odysseus was his father. Cleverly, Telemachus found out that his father had left this island only a year prior. As an offering of peace, Telemachus and his crew left the island never to return.  However, the Cyclops still sought retribution and before Telemachus could leave, the Cyclops ate ten of his men.

Telemachus decided he needed to get more supplies and men in order to continue the journey to find his father. He and his crew arrived home after one year and Telemachus told his mother of the Cyclops, his men, and the reassuring news of his father.  Penelope was elated to hear that her son and Odysseus were still alive.  She told Telemachus how proud she was of him.  Telemachus was becoming a man right before her eyes.  As the list of suitors continued for Penelope, Telemachus grew annoyed and tired of these men.  He vowed to Penelope to find his father, her husband, and bring him back as the rightful king of Ithaca. Later, Telemachus recieved word of a ship stranded off the coast of Greece. 

After several days at sea, Telemachus and his men found the stranded ship.  They disembarked and searched the nearest island.   Telemachus saw someone in the distance and approached the man. Telemachus asked the man his name and where he was from.  He looked very weathered and hungry, but replied he was from Ithaca. Telemachus asked once again his name. The man replied, I am Odysseus of Ithaca, son of Laertes. Telemachus and his crew were stunned and in disbelief. Telemachus tested the man to ensure he was not lying. He asked the man,” if you are Odysseus what is your son’s name, his mother’s name, and the name of the Cyclops Odysseus defeated”. The man replied,” Telemachus, Penelope, and Polyphemus.” Telemachus decided that this must have been Odysseus, and told him his name. I am your son Telemachus, I searched for you for years and I have finally found you. I have much to tell you. As do I, replied Odysseus.