Thesis
The Odyssey becomes an inspiration for many authors who reveal further its characters and develop narratives and themes. In particular, the character of Telemachus can be used to dig into the aspects of familial relationships, loss, yearning, and fatherlessness.
Introduction
The Odyssey is among the most significant and well-known pieces of literature that have survived. Combining tragic partings and happy meetings, journeys of great strife and human folly, the piece still finds its relevance today. The most intriguing aspect of analyzing or discussing this work is that The Odyssey can be approached differently, depending on the individual’s intent and creative skills.
While some scholars and literary critics examine the poem more closely, others may approach it differently. Specifically, derivative works based on The Odyssey are a great way to bring more light to the classics. Plot threads or ideas taken directly from the book can be found in various forms, including writing, songs, art pieces, and even games. Alternatively, giving existing characters new meaning or engaging them from a different perspective is also a viable option.
One of the characters that can be examined more broadly is Telemachus. His journey to find his father, as well as his subsequent time spent with him, is well-suited to creative interpretation. For this work, the poem Telemachus by Ocean Vuong will be compared and contrasted with the original Odyssey. The poem in question derives significantly from the source material, nevertheless capturing the core feelings one may have when reading about the young man’s struggles (Segal). Overall, the poem effectively connects Telemachus’s personal sense of loss and longing for his absent father to the reader’s understanding of his character, thereby expanding and deepening his portrayal beyond the original epic.
The Odyssey as a Vehicle for Creative Works and Thematic Inspiration
As mentioned previously, The Odyssey is an exemplary piece of creative writing that lays down a foundation for literary works emerging today. In particular, the story features what is commonly called “a hero’s journey”, as defined by J. Campbell’s book The Hero with a Thousand Faces (Campbell). According to the author, many mythological stories center on structurally similar narratives, featuring a hero who answers the call of fate, overcomes challenges, and returns to their home as a changed person. The throughline of the typical hero’s journey is also clearly visible in The Odyssey, as it describes the trials and tribulations Odysseus overcomes on his way home.
In turn, the thematic composition of the piece is broader, allowing the audience to use their imagination in contextualizing the poem’s events. Themes of adventure, longing for one’s home, love, revenge, and war, as presented in The Odyssey, are open to further discussion, both for those who wish to expand on its mythology and for those who want to apply it to other settings.
Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings can be seen as influenced by The Odyssey (Hancock) by examining the theme of embarking on a dangerous adventure to reach one’s goal. According to existing sources, Tolkien read The Odyssey, meaning its events could have inspired his writing. Taking examples of a more direct inspiration and connection to The Odyssey, music can be mentioned.
Several bands have claimed to have been directly inspired by The Odyssey. This includes the British psychedelic rock band Cream, and a producer/songwriter, Craig Safan (“Sirens (Music Inspired By Homer’s Odyssey)”; “Enduring Cream Song Inspired by Homer’s Odyssey”). In the case of both creators, The Odyssey events serve as a backdrop for music, referenced in melody, lyrics, and song titles.
Telemachus
Odyssey
For The Odyssey, Telemachus is a minor character, one necessary to set the scene for Odysseus’ return to his homeland. The audience learns of the man as an infant when his father is called to fight in the war. Throughout the poem, Telemachus reaches adulthood, spending considerable time adventuring to find his father.
In the context of the work, he is representative of the familial loyalty and devotion that Odysseus wants to return to. In addition, he can be seen as a vehicle for the narrative to discuss Odysseus’ exploits further, defining him as a heroic and multi-faceted figure in the eyes of others. It can be said that Telemachus’s central role in the story is to provide more spotlight to his father.
Ocean Vuong’s Poem
Vuong’s poem imbues Telemachus’ struggle with a more profound emotionality, connecting it with other narratives of losing a parental figure. The work is made from the perspective of Telemachus himself, who finds his father’s body washed ashore. Odysseus is dead. The answer to years’ worth of longing is a stare of a dead man, with a bullet hole in his back and blackened eyes.
Vuong’s poem encompasses the grief and despair of spending one’s time searching for a loved one who may never return. It is a tragic retelling that seems to scream to its audience – this pain will forever leave a mark on Telemachus. Much like it will stain the soul of any child unfortunate enough to see their parents die such a tragic death. Instead of using Telemachus as a vehicle for talking about Odysseus, the poem wants to linger on how losing a father feels like, how it eats away at one’s entire being, and the tragedy of war.
Significance
The aforementioned interpretation of The Odyssey and the character of Telemachus is significant for its ability to bring new dynamics into an already existing character relationship. The Odyssey highlights Telemachus’s growth and his road toward becoming a mature adult. This can be seen in passages like “As for giving orders, men will see to that, but I most of all: I hold the reins of power in this house” (1.409-414).
On the contrary, Vuong’s poem disregards the man’s age, instead choosing to explore emotions of loss and grief in their fullest. The passage “He is so still I think he could be anyone’s father, found the way a green bottle might appear at a boy’s feet containing a year he has never touched. I touch his ears. No use” exemplifies this most strongly (Segal). This choice changes the narrative from heroic to tragic, where the potential of losing Odysseus would not be worth his son’s character development.
Conclusion
This work discussed the influence of The Odyssey on the creative scene. In particular, the use of Telemachus by Ocean Vuong is the center of the discussion, showing the thematic flexibility of the character. The main character’s son is a minor character in the original work, brought to the forefront for his high potential in discussing stories of absent father figures. By combining the narrative of Homer’s poem with the general idea of losing a father, Vuong could shine a new light on the character.
Work Cited
Campbell, J. The hero with a thousand faces. Joseph Campbell Foundation, 2020.
“The Enduring Cream Song Inspired by Homer’s Odyssey.” Far Out Magazine, 2021.
Hancock, Lauren. “The Influence of The Odyssey and Why It Should Be Required Reading.” Medium, 2019.
Segal, Corinne. “Ocean Vuong on Why Reading Poetry is Political.” PBS NewsHour, 2016.
“Sirens (Music Inspired By Homer’s Odyssey) by Craig Safan.” Apple Music, 2018.