The Odysseus Essay, Research Paper

Telemachi is the son of Odysseus and Penelope in the epic novel, “The Odyssey”.

Telemachi’s role in the novel reiterates the strength and courage of Odysseus. The

beginning of the novel concentrates on Telemachi’s quest to find his father. He does not

approve of how the suitors have taken advantage of his mother and himself; however, he

is unsure and incapable of ridding his home of these men. He is on the peek of becoming

a man but he remains very inexperienced in comparison to his father. Telemachi is self-

conscious because he does not encompass the same skills his father is famous for. He is

obviously incapable of warding off the suitors and desperately needs his father’s

assistance in order to regain control of his home.

Telemachi reappears towards the end of the novel upon Odysseus’ return to Ithaca. The

return of Odysseus is an important role in relation to Telemachi. This demonstrates how

Telemachi has matured as a direct result of Odysseus. Telemachi changes from an

incompetent, insecure young man to a courageous character more like his father. Of

course Telemachi could not have done this without his father’s guidance. Odysseus gives

Telemachi the self-confidence he needs in order to grow.

Orlick is an unstable character in the novel, “Great Expectations”. I think his role is

significant in the novel in a sense that it adds drama to the story. Orlick appears in the

beginning of the story as Joe Gargery’s employee at the forge. Orlick strongly dislikes

Joe’s wife, Mrs. Joe, and at one point a heated argument occurs between them. Orlick

also resents Pip, seeing him as a threat, because of his affectionate feelings towards

Biddy. Later in the novel Mrs. Joe is brutally attacked. As a result, she becomes mentally

and physically challenged and eventually dies. It is not discovered until much later in the

novel, when Orlick attempts to kill Pip, that he was responsible for attacking Mrs. Joe.

Proteus is a character is the novel, “The Odyssey”. He is an immortal Egyptian profit, a

servant of Poseidon; who always speaks the truth. Proteus is referred to as the “Old Man

of the Sea” who knows all the deep places of the sea. Odysseus had two important

questions for Proteus: which immortal God was keeping him from his home and how

would he make the journey over the sea. Proteus not only answered these questions, but

also gave Odysseus additional information concerning his comrades of war. Proteus sent

Odysseus on his way with well wishes and a treasured gift. His role is an important

element in helping Odysseus return to Ithaca.

The Finches of the Grove is the setting for a highly fashionable club in London in the

novel, “Great Expectations”. The Grove appears towards the middle of the novel and is

important in portraying the ambiance of high society London. It is meeting place for

ladies and gentlemen of leisure. Most members dine extravagantly at the Finches of the

Grove for the sake of appearances more so than the quality of the cuisine. Later in the

novel the Grove is the setting in which Pip introduces Estella to Drummle for the first

time. Estella, the love of Pip’s imagination, eventually marries Drummle much to Pip’s

dismay.

Teiresias appears in the novel of “The Odyssey” while Odysseus visits the Kingdom of

the Dead. This is a place where Odysseus meets up with many important souls of the

afterlife. Before Teiresias’ death, he had gone from man to woman after seeing two

snakes copulating. Because of this, he was able to experience sex from a man’s point of

view and also a woman’s. He shared his experience with both Zeus and his sister’s wife,

Vera and decided that a woman enjoyed sex more. Vera was outraged by his outcome

and cursed Teiresias to be blind. Zeus, being more powerful, although unable to retract

the curse, gave him extraordinary visionary powers.

When Odysseus meets up with the soul of Teiresias in the Kingdom of the Dead,

Teiresias gives Odysseus some very important insight on his future. Odysseus learned

from Teiresias that his journey would be hard and dangerous. He learned that Poseidon

was furious because Odysseus had blinded his son, therefore Poseidon would make the

journey to Ithaca a difficult one. Teiresias warned him to control himself and his

companions while sailing to Helios. This would ensure everyone a safe return home.

However, if trouble were made in Helios, Odysseus would return home late and unknown

to his loved ones. Teiresias played an important role in providing help for Odysseus. He

offered Odysseus insight that was vital for a safe return home.

Wemmick is the chief clerk for Jaggers in the novel, “Great Expectations”. He appears in

the novel after Pip arrives in London. He has an important role as one of the more

sincere characters that eventually becomes a loyal friend to Pip. Wemmick leads two

very separate lives, both of which he is very dedicated. These very different roles create

two very different personalities. Wemmick has one personality in the office while

working for Jaggers and another for family and friends. While working for Jaggers,

Wemmick is hard working employee who makes it a point never to mix business with

pleasure. In fact, his work ethic resembles Jaggers in many ways. At home, Wemmick

supports his father, both financially and emotionally. This side of Wemmick is the gentle

man that takes on characteristics more like Joe Gargary. Towards the end of the novel

Wemmick finds happiness in love and marriage which seems to be comforting to the

reader.

Demodocus is a character in the novel, “Great Expectations”. He is a blind entertainer in

the palace of Alcinoos. Demodocus appears in the story when Odysseus arrives in

Phaiacia. Phaiacia is a highly civilized land with a huge respect for the arts, music,

poetry, games and life. The people of Phaiacia are the most hospitable in the novel.

Demodocus entertains the Phaiacian’s guest, Odysseus, by singing a number of songs. A

song Demodocus sung about the Trojan War upsets Odysseus. This leads Odysseus to

reveal his true identity to the Phaiacians. When Odysseus is finished telling the story of

his past adventures, the Phaiacians who are descendents of Poseidon, chose to be loyal to

Odysseus over Poseidon. Demodocus’ character was important in the fact that it led

Odysseus to reveal his identity.

Telemachi is the son of Odysseus and Penelope in the epic novel, “The Odyssey”.

Telemachi’s role in the novel reiterates the strength and courage of Odysseus. The

beginning of the novel concentrates on Telemachi’s quest to find his father. He does not

approve of how the suitors have taken advantage of his mother and himself; however, he

is unsure and incapable of ridding his home of these men. He is on the peek of becoming

a man but he remains very inexperienced in comparison to his father. Telemachi is self-

conscious because he does not encompass the same skills his father is famous for. He is

obviously incapable of warding off the suitors and desperately needs his father’s

assistance in order to regain control of his home.

Telemachi reappears towards the end of the novel upon Odysseus’ return to Ithaca. The

return of Odysseus is an important role in relation to Telemachi. This demonstrates how

Telemachi has matured as a direct result of Odysseus. Telemachi changes from an

incompetent, insecure young man to a courageous character more like his father. Of

course Telemachi could not have done this without his father’s guidance. Odysseus gives

Telemachi the self-confidence he needs in order to grow.

Orlick is an unstable character in the novel, “Great Expectations”. I think his role is

significant in the novel in a sense that it adds drama to the story. Orlick appears in the

beginning of the story as Joe Gargery’s employee at the forge. Orlick strongly dislikes

Joe’s wife, Mrs. Joe, and at one point a heated argument occurs between them. Orlick

also resents Pip, seeing him as a threat, because of his affectionate feelings towards

Biddy. Later in the novel Mrs. Joe is brutally attacked. As a result, she becomes mentally

and physically challenged and eventually dies. It is not discovered until much later in the

novel, when Orlick attempts to kill Pip, that he was responsible for attacking Mrs. Joe.

Proteus is a character is the novel, “The Odyssey”. He is an immortal Egyptian profit, a

servant of Poseidon; who always speaks the truth. Proteus is referred to as the “Old Man

of the Sea” who knows all the deep places of the sea. Odysseus had two important

questions for Proteus: which immortal God was keeping him from his home and how

would he make the journey over the sea. Proteus not only answered these questions, but

also gave Odysseus additional information concerning his comrades of war. Proteus sent

Odysseus on his way with well wishes and a treasured gift. His role is an important

element in helping Odysseus return to Ithaca.

The Finches of the Grove is the setting for a highly fashionable club in London in the

novel, “Great Expectations”. The Grove appears towards the middle of the novel and is

important in portraying the ambiance of high society London. It is meeting place for

ladies and gentlemen of leisure. Most members dine extravagantly at the Finches of the

Grove for the sake of appearances more so than the quality of the cuisine. Later in the

novel the Grove is the setting in which Pip introduces Estella to Drummle for the first

time. Estella, the love of Pip’s imagination, eventually marries Drummle much to Pip’s

dismay.

Teiresias appears in the novel of “The Odyssey” while Odysseus visits the Kingdom of

the Dead. This is a place where Odysseus meets up with many important souls of the

afterlife. Before Teiresias’ death, he had gone from man to woman after seeing two

snakes copulating. Because of this, he was able to experience sex from a man’s point of

view and also a woman’s. He shared his experience with both Zeus and his sister’s wife,

Vera and decided that a woman enjoyed sex more. Vera was outraged by his outcome

and cursed Teiresias to be blind. Zeus, being more powerful, although unable to retract

the curse, gave him extraordinary visionary powers.

When Odysseus meets up with the soul of Teiresias in the Kingdom of the Dead,

Teiresias gives Odysseus some very important insight on his future. Odysseus learned

from Teiresias that his journey would be hard and dangerous. He learned that Poseidon

was furious because Odysseus had blinded his son, therefore Poseidon would make the

journey to Ithaca a difficult one. Teiresias warned him to control himself and his

companions while sailing to Helios. This would ensure everyone a safe return home.

However, if trouble were made in Helios, Odysseus would return home late and unknown

to his loved ones. Teiresias played an important role in providing help for Odysseus. He

offered Odysseus insight that was vital for a safe return home.

Wemmick is the chief clerk for Jaggers in the novel, “Great Expectations”. He appears in

the novel after Pip arrives in London. He has an important role as one of the more

sincere characters that eventually becomes a loyal friend to Pip. Wemmick leads two

very separate lives, both of which he is very dedicated. These very different roles create

two very different personalities. Wemmick has one personality in the office while

working for Jaggers and another for family and friends. While working for Jaggers,

Wemmick is hard working employee who makes it a point never to mix business with

pleasure. In fact, his work ethic resembles Jaggers in many ways. At home, Wemmick

supports his father, both financially and emotionally. This side of Wemmick is the gentle

man that takes on characteristics more like Joe Gargary. Towards the end of the novel

Wemmick finds happiness in love and marriage which seems to be comforting to the

reader.

Demodocus is a character in the novel, “Great Expectations”. He is a blind entertainer in

the palace of Alcinoos. Demodocus appears in the story when Odysseus arrives in

Phaiacia. Phaiacia is a highly civilized land with a huge respect for the arts, music,

poetry, games and life. The people of Phaiacia are the most hospitable in the novel.

Demodocus entertains the Phaiacian’s guest, Odysseus, by singing a number of songs. A

song Demodocus sung about the Trojan War upsets Odysseus. This leads Odysseus to

reveal his true identity to the Phaiacians. When Odysseus is finished telling the story of

his past adventures, the Phaiacians who are descendents of Poseidon, chose to be loyal to

Odysseus over Poseidon. Demodocus’ character was important in the fact that it led

Odysseus to reveal his identity.