The Odyssey serves as an inspiration for further exploration of its characters, plots, and themes. The character of Telemachus, specifically, can be used to explore ideas of yearning, familial bonds, loss, and fatherlessness.
The Odyssey is among the greatest and most well-known pieces of literature that survived to this day. Combining in itself tragic partings and happy meetings, journeys of great strife and human folly, the piece still finds its relevance today. The most intriguing part of analyzing or discussing this work is that the Odyssey can be approached differently, depending on the intent and creative skills of an individual. While some scholars and literary critics choose to more closely examine the poem, others may engage with it in other ways. 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 writing, songs, art pieces, and even games. Alternatively, it is also possible to give existing characters new meaning, or engage them from a different perspective. One of the characters that can be interesting to examine in a more broad way is Telemachus. His journey to find his father, as well as his subsequent time spent with the man are well-suited for creative interpretation. For the purposes of this work, the poem Telemachus by Ocean Vuong will be compared and contrasted to the original Odyssey. The poem in question derives significantly from the source material, nevertheless being able to capture the core feelings one may have when reading about the young man’s struggles (Segal). It works well to tie in a sense of loss and longing for a father with Telemachus, allowing the reader to see the character more broadly.
Work Cited
Segal, Corinne. “Ocean Vuong on Why Reading Poetry is Political.”PBS NewsHour, Web.