Introduction
The Odyssey is presented as an adventurous story concerning the experiences that Odysseus face while he is away from home, and he being the main character, is quite easy for the readers to focus on his endeavors attaching them with great importance. However, a close examination of the story reveals that Back in Ithaca, especially in his family, there are significant issues that equally make the story. The absence of Odysseus is felt in his family and it manifests through several problems the family and the workers face. While most of these problems are considerably challenging, the victims would ultimately get the potential to overcome them.
Issues and Resolution
Penelope
The importance attached to the role of Penelope is the invasion of the suitors to marry her, which she, however, overcomes in the end. The absence of Odysseus for many years was known all over the Ithaca kingdom and beyond as a result of which suitors were encouraged to attempt marrying the King’s queen. It was a serious issue in that they interrupted the peace in the family, appeared ready to harm anybody. Besides, they gained control over the family, which took Penelope quite a long time to find a solution; “So the cowards want to creep into the brave man's bed? (Homer 124)”. The resolution to the issue was later achieved and this is associated with the great level of intelligence that Penelope demonstrated. By organizing a session of contest among the suitors for who would emerge the winner to marry her, she delayed them, and this allowed Odysseus to reorganize and eliminate them. She also exhibited faithfulness which kept the suitors away from her.
Telemachus
The issues around the life of Telemachus are influenced by curiosity to find out the whereabouts and safety of his father. Telemachus is the only prince in the family and is concerned about the fate of the King. He feels that the father, Odysseus could be dead; however, he is not sure and causes his worry. The problem rises to the climax when the suitors realize his plans to look for his father, and they plot to kill him. It would be very easy for them to attach him as they had settled within the family. Telemachus; however, escapes the attack through the divine powers he gets with the help of gods. For instance, Athena realizes the problems he is facing and speaks for him during the god’s council; this supersedes any plan to kill him, and in the end, the goddess reveals to him that his father is safe.
Faithful Servants
The servants at the Ithaca kingdom had varying behaviors contributing defiantly to the epic. While emphasizing the faithful ones, their significance helped to solved several issues. For instance, there is great uncertainty at the arrival of Odysseus, and o one knows him; however, Eumaeus has a feeling that she could be an important member and provides him with food and he reorganizes to strike. Eurycleia is another loyal servant who keeps secret regarding Odysseus so that the suitors and other enemies may not adjust in time to attack him.
Conclusion
There are different forms of issues that continuously occur to the family of Odysseus. While the storyline presents more on the voyage the King experiences, the problems at home in his absence emerge more significance. Penelope is invaded by the suitors but she overcomes the temptation through her intelligence and faithfulness. Telemachus risks attack by the suitors but are rescued by the divine powers from the gods. Finally, their faithful servants are unwavering and fight for Odysseus to reclaim the Kingdom's throne.
