About this episode

Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Frank Grabowski discuss the coming of age story of Telemachus in Books 2-4 of the Odyssey.

Today on Ascend: The Great Books Podcast, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Frank Grabowski discuss the famous "Telemachy" or the coming of age story of Telemachus, Books 2-4 of the Odyssey. Check us our on X, Instagram, Facebook, and more ! Check out our WRITTEN GUIDE to the Odyssey . In this rich second episode of our 12-week Odyssey series, Dcn. Harrison Garlick and Dr. Frank Grabowski dive deep into Books 2–4 — the Telemachy — exploring Telemachus’s powerful coming-of-age journey from a fatherless, disordered Ithaca to the ordered poleis of Pylos and Sparta. They unpack how Homer paints a vivid picture of political decay: twenty years without an assembly, a missing generation of men, and suitors devouring the household while logos itself loses its force. Yet as Telemachus steps into his father’s seat and sets sail under Athena’s guidance (disguised as Mentor), we witness not only his maturation but a masterclass in what makes a healthy polis. The conversation shines especially when they examine the suitors’ impiety, the beautiful practice of guest-friendship ( xenia ), and the threefold piety it reveals — toward the gods, the city, and the family. From Nestor’s sacrifices and…

People in this episode

Host: Dcn. Harrison Garlick

Guest: Dr. Frank Grabowski

Topics covered

• Telemachy
• coming of age
• Homer
• political decay
• guest-friendship
• piety
• Odyssey series

Keywords

• Odyssey
• Telemachus
• Homer
• political decay
• guest-friendship
• piety
• Ithaca
• Pylos
• Sparta
• Telemachy

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Odyssey

Places: Ithaca, Pylos, Sparta

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