Introduction

The relation between a mother and a son is a unique one and has been afforded much significance in human civilizations. Sons have given great importance to serve their mothers, and mothers on their part have even risked their lives in order to safeguard the lives of their sons. It may be observed that the sons, particularly in the olden ages were considered to be a force that would protect and safeguard the life and honor of the mother when they grow up to become great warriors. The unique relationship between son and mother finds echo in many pieces of literature and mythology, and it seems that the heroic qualities attributed to sons who laid down their lives for their mothers is a common feature of all civilizations. It is however also true that some important tragedies have also been based on the importance and sanctity of the mother-son relationship. Sons who laid down their lives for their mothers are considered as pious, chivalrous and extremely affectionate; factors that make them legends in the eyes of the following generations. This paper will look at the mother and son relationship between Penelope and Telemachus in The Odyssey

Analysis

The changing role of Telemachus

In the beginning of the story, we see Telemachus deeply concerned about the plight that has befallen his household. Even though he knows that the crowd of suitors has come to marry his mother, he is no position to drive them out of his home. We see a helpless child in Telemachus who is constrained to even take care of the guests who have come to his house with a wrong intention. Telemachus only displays pain at the way the house is being monopolized by the crowd of suitors and it seems that he is either not concerned or aware of the moral problems posed by the long list of men in his house, who wishes to marry his mother. We can also see another dimension to the love that Telemachus has for his parents. It may be said that he is more concerned about his father's health than his mother's honor. This could also be because men were considered to be guardians of the house and Telemachus naturally felt unsafe in the absence of his father. In book 1, we see Telemachus brooding over the return of his father, and even though he is weary of the people who have monopolized his house and even when he thinks about how his father would vanquish them had he been in the house, he provides the guests with food and appoint servants to take care of their every need [Homer, book 1]

Telemachus is also a bruised soul and it is his ego that prompts him to search for his father who is considered to be dead. His young mind is not able to bear the dishonor that the society has meted out to him and his mother. The fact that he leaves his mother in order to find his father speaks of the relative importance that he gives for his father. This is because he is humiliated by the scores of men who have flocked at his house in order to marry his mother. He is pained that he cannot do anything to save his mother other than bring back his father whose mere presence would drive all the suitors away. We see that Telemachus undertakes to make a very dangerous mission and is not concerned about the threats to his life that such a journey could pose. Here Homer very lucidly explains the position of the man in the ancient Greek household. If the household is devoid of men, it becomes a haven for the unruly elements of the society. Telemachus understands this and so takes the decision to travel. Hence, it would be correct to say that Telemachus went in search of Ulysses for two reasons

1. To bring back the joy and respect that his mother deserves and

2. To rediscover his lost authority and power over his household.

Hence, it may be said that Telemachus had both selfish as well as non-selfish reasons to undertake the journey to find his father.

We also see that Telemachus' relation to his mother changes as he matures. In the beginning of the story we can see that he is but a meek boy who has no control over the events that are happening at his house. However as the story progresses we see Telemachus growing stronger and assuming a protective role. We see that he values honor and respect more when he is mature, and so deems it fit that he must find his father in order to regain the lost respect that is due to his mother. He finds alternate ways and means to safeguard his mother, and so even though he is powerless by himself to drive away all the suitors or prevent them from monopolizing the events in the house, he decides to undertake a risky journey to bring back his father who would then drive away the sinister suitors [Himmelhoch, 2000]

Penelope, Telemachus' mother, although clever, cannot hold on against the suitors. It must be said that she has succeeded in raising Telemachus almost single handedly in the absence of his father and so she expected her son to safeguard her honor against a bunch of people who had no virtues. Here we see a reversal of roles between Penelope and Telemachus. Penelope cared and looked after Telemachus when he was a child and he was repaying her by trying to find out his father whose presence would help her to regain her lost reputation. However the mother maintains the same love that she had for her kid. She is grief stricken when she learns that Telemachus has risked his life in order to save her life. Moreover Telemachus has no other option than to bargain for his mother's reputation from the suitors. Hence he had to agree to find his father in twelve months time, or arrange his mother's wedding with someone else. Here we see that Telemachus assumes the role of a father as he matures. There is definitely a change of role between mother and son and the son becomes more dominant as he matures.

"Make up your mind to it and bear it; Ulysses is not the only man who never came back from Troy, but many another went down as well as he. Go, then, within the house and busy yourself with your daily duties, your loom, your distaff, and the ordering of your servants; for speech is man's matter, and mine above all others- for it is I who am master here." [Homer, Book 1]

The Applied ideal of mother and son

It seems that the story does encourage an applied ideal on motherhood. Penelope has displayed rare courage and wit in brining up Telemachus even though her husband is away. Her role underlines the need for women to raise their standards and take care of the family in the face of adversity. Even though the powerful Ulysses was not at home, she did not that affect the proper growth and upbringing of his son. Hence, she has displayed the power and responsibility that goes with being a mother.

Telemachus also performs much beyond his role as a son. He undertakes the journey in order to bring back the respect that is due to Penelope, and embarks on the journey without his mother knowing it, lest she may prevent him from undertaking it. Hence, it may be seen that he is ready to take risks and even endanger his life in order to safeguard the honor of his mother. He considers his life as much below in value when compared to the honor of Penelope.