The Disagreement Between Telemachus and Penelope
The disagreement between Telemachus and Penelope arises from differing opinions on the entertainment of Phemius. Phemius is singing the tale of the Greek warriors of Troy and their homecomings when Penelope descends from her chambers to protest this choice of music. She scolds him, and orders him to stop because he has reminded her of Odysseus, who's long lost at sea. Telemachus rebukes his mother by protesting that the bard has the right to sing anything he wishes. He then sends his mother off to her chambers, declaring that he is the master of the house. This clash between Penelope and Telemachus was caused by both. Penelope's fault was that she did not stop to consider Telemachus' feelings on the subject. She is so engrossed in her own pain for her lost love that she is blind to the problems of her son. She does not see his insecurities on his past and especially his future, or his lack of confidence in himself. Mos
Another reason Telemachus was so quick to rebuke Penelope was his deep desire to exert his power and his dominance, his rightful dominance over the household. He feels that his mother has prevented him from gaining an understanding of his heritage. She is very detached from the world, and focuses on her grief and pain. It was also caused by his resentment towards his mother for having known his father and not telling him about him. He, too, is deeply engrossed in his problems that he does not see the deep extent of his mother's pain. However, his quest for his legacy was not the only reason he had for defending Phemius. As for Telemachus, he makes the same mistakes as his mother in that he refuses to see her side of the issue. Him ordering her to leave is a sign that he believes her feelings to be almost inconsequential compared to his. The tales of the Trojan War are the only way in which he can come to know his father, who he does not remember, since Penelope obviously avoids the topic entirely. By ordering his mother to leave the hall, he is showing to the suitors that it is he, not his mother, who has more power. t of all, she is ignorant to his inner struggle between love and hate for Odysseus. Because she is so preoccupied with her own problems, she has neglected her duties as a mother. Bibliography The Odyssey by Homer. This disagreement over Phemius was a window to the anger that Telemachus had towards his mother for not familiarizing him with the legacy of his father.
Common topics in this essay:
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Penelope Telemachus,
Phemius Phemius,
Telemachus Penelope,
grief pain,
,
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Odyssey Homer,
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