Identity in The Odyssey

     From the first pages I read of the Odyssey, a theme that struck me immediately was identity. I think that it’s obvious to people who have not even read the Odyssey that it’s a story about Odysseus’ heroic quest home and in the meantime his journey of discovering himself and his identity. But something else i found interesting is that there are many other characters who contribute to this greater theme, some in a great way, and some only in small ways. Nonetheless, I can tell it will be a theme that intertwines throughout Homer’s entire epic. 

When reading, I like to find themes that will not only relate to the so called “bigger picture” of the work, but I also like to see how that theme progresses, changes, or stays the same as I move forward in the story. Identity is a huge concept in the Odyssey, and not just in the obvious and literal sense of Odysseus’ journey home. Multiple characters can contribute to this greater theme of identity, and many characters struggle with their own identities throughout the story.

Early in the story we are introduced to Telemachus, who, much like the father he has never met, is going through his own journey. He is no older than nineteen or twenty, which in a way hits home for us as twenty-something year old readers, because we too are on a journey to find ourselves and to develop a legacy or reputation in college and in the real world. 

        He is becoming a man, but does not know his father. With no true male role model to look up to, the only things he knows about his great heroic father are stories and legends. When Athena (disguised-- how’s that for identity?) arrives, he is skeptical of her presence at first, but once she reveals knowing something about his father, who he is, and his possible whereabouts, he softens, welcomes the stranger, and is grateful for the information he has received. Athena presents the quest or challenge for him to travel to discover information about his father, believing he is still alive. Telemachus then realizes he must accept, because he is the male heir, and in the absence of his father, is the man of the house, and must do justice for his mother and family.

As I continue reading, I can already see how this theme is unfolding, tangling and untangling, and as each character is introduced and becomes more fully developed, I’m curious to see how the theme of identity will play out for each of them.