ects rather than imprisons. One cave from the story that symbolizes protection is the cave home of Calypso. During his stay with the goddess, Odysseus is given the treatment of a king. All of his needs and wants are taken care of. The other cave that represents the womb is the cave in Ithaca. Athena shows this cave to Odysseus as a place for him to store his treasures from the Phaeacians, to keep them safe from harm. Telemachus is unmistakably represented by this meaning of the cave. He is sheltered all his life until he comes closer and closer to meeting Odysseus. Fatherless, his mother has safe guarded and protected him. However, when he meets his father, the guard is removed completely and he even helps Odysseus destroy the suitors.On the other hand, when Odysseus reaches home, his hardships are for the most part over. He will no longer have to withstand the harsh reality symbolized by the cave of Polyphemus. He becomes more sheltered as Telemachus becomes more exposed by their reunion.Symbols, which each have a double meaning, are used throughout The Odyssey to represent different facets of the characters of Odysseus and Telemachus. Each interpretation of the symbols exemplifies either Odysseus or Telemachus. As the two characters grow and develop, and the father-son reunion occurs, the two meanings converge into one, and Odysseus and Telemachus become more similar....
