Analysis Of Homer 's ' The Odyssey '

  The Odyssey was a great book in which many characters were brought out and developed.  The most significant development that occured in the epic was the development of Telemachus.  Telemachus is a very complex character that Homer develops from beginning to end.  From the beginning when is a mere shadow of his father to near the end in which he is considered just as courageous.  Many factors influence Telemachus as he matures into a man.

Telemachus does not overreact when he wants to speak. He was angry but still remained calm. He was able to keep his frustration under control. " Odysseus' son rejoiced; the boy could sit no longer- fired up to speak, he took his stand among the gathered men." Telemachus is calm even though he is upset. He is upset that he is not getting answers about his dad. To come of age means to make rational decisions even when your upset. " Adults experience their emotions but when it comes to their actions, they make rational decisions on the basis of self-interest and moral concerns." Adults hardly get upset and when they do, they keep it under control and have self discipline. Telemachus managed his emotions without stressing out and showing his irritation. He also, later on he stops expecting people people to feel sorry for

Telemachus, one of the main characters in The Odyssey, is negatively affected by his father, Odysseus. Odysseus is a monster to Telemachus because his absence causes immense troubles for his son everyday. In the novel, Telemachus is left alone to take care of his kingdom, Ithaca. Suitors that are chasing after his mother

In the beginning of The Odyssey it Telemachus is afraid to stand up and address the suitors. He complains to Athena multiple times but never actually faces them and tells them to leave. Telemachus is portrayed as someone who can’t use his words to get something he wants and voice his opinions. Telemachus surprises people with his likeness to Odysseus through his public speaking, and develops it as he travels to find information about

Telemachus is brave enough to do what he believes is right for him and his family them and do what he believes is right for himself and his family, although the odds are against him. Telemachus shows that he is determined to resist their demands when he tells the suitors, “I’ll stop at nothing to hurl destruction at your heads, whether I go to Pylos or sit right here at home” (2. 351-352). Telemachus’ warning to the suitors makes it clear that he will stop at nothing to force them out of his home. His determination shows his courage and bravery, two traits which are continually illustrated throughout the epic

Homer’s epic, the Odyssey, tells the story of the famed war hero Odysseus, but the epic starts with the focus on his son, Telemachus. Although the Odyssey’s main focus is not on Telemachus, Odysseus’s story starts with him for a reason. Telemachus plays his own unique, important role in the story. Telemachus has been separated from Odysseus since his infanthood. Since the whereabouts of Odysseus are unknown to Telemachus, Telemachus worries for his father, and for all he knows, he might be dead.

Throughout the last few books of the Odyssey, Homer explains to the reader how Odysseus reestablishes his relationships with his family and friends of Ithaka. It’s possible the restoration of his relationship with his son, Telemachus, is the most significant event of all. This reconnection carries out three main purposes. First, it serves to characterize Telemachus' likeness to his father in the virtues of wisdom, humility, patience, and organization. Secondly, it enables Odysseus a chance to coach Telemachus on how to be a powerful ruler like he is. Lastly, Homer uses the reconnection to highlight the importance of a healthy family structure to a society. To be able to understand

Telemachus continued to believe that Odysseus had been killed, despite the fact that Athena said otherwise. Nonetheless, Telemachus urged Athena that Odysseus no longer lived: “”Mentor,” wise Telemachus said, “distraught as we are for him, let's speak of this no more. My father's return? It's inconceivable now. Long ago the undying gods have sealed his death, his black doom.”(115. 272-276) Telemachus is titled as “wise,” even though his words and thoughts are incorrect. This shows that he was a changed man from the boy who moseyed about in complete sorrow and

For example, whenever he tries to order them to leave or take control of the suitors, they are surprised that he can speak so boldly at first, but then begin to mock him for sounding so grown up. During one particular lecture, “So Telemachus declared. And they all bit their lips, amazed the prince could speak with so much daring. Eupithes’ son Antinous broke their silence: ‘Well Telemachus, only the gods could teach you to sound so high and mighty!” (Homer 90). He is being mocked for seeming so grown up and trying to take control. They do not see him yet as a man.

Through his journey to Pylos and Sparta, Telemachus, who was born into a very privileged and high ranking family, learns how to use his inherited social status and connections for his own interests, which will help him mature into manhood. Telemachus was never old enough to remember what it was like when his father was around. Since Odysseus left, he has lived with his mom and nurse. However, for three years, he has been overwhelmed by suitors, who have taken over his house. Odysseus was never able to show Telemachus how to stand up for himself. Telemachus has been less than passive when going about doing things to get what he wants. When Athena comes and tells him that his father is going to come home, he realizes he has been ignoring what he knows is wrong, such as the suitors throwing parties every night, and that he needs to stop them. He doesn’t have any idea of how he is going to find his father when Athena comes, but he along his way finds that he has many resources and connections at hand that will allow him to find out what happened to his dad. Athena, disguised as Mentor, an old friend of Odysseus, encourages Telemachus to talk to Nestor. "Telemachus, no more shyness, this is not the time!/ We sailed the seas for this, for news of your father —// So go right up to Nestor...// Press him yourself to tell the whole truth:/ he'll never lie — the man is far too wise"(3.16-22) Here, Athena is encouraging Telemachus to be assertive, to get what the needs to know to find his father. Telemachus responds, "How can I greet him, Mentor, even approach the king?/ I'm hardly adept at subtle conversation./ Someone my age might feel shy, what's more,/ interrogating an older man."/ (3.23-27) He is intimidated. The irony is that he himself is of the higher class, and if Odysseus had been home, he would be accustomed to these interactions. This is Odysseus learning that he has high social status and can enjoy the privileges he was born with, such as being able to talk to the king. While there, Telemachus learns of the fate of the family of Agamemnon. Agamemnon came home to find his wife in love with Aegisthus, and together they kill him. Orestes, one of Agamemnon’s sons, avenges his father’s murder and kills

In Homer’s The Odyssey, Telemachus is characterized as sophisticated, both in speech and in physique. As Telemachus asks King Nestor for news concerning the whereabouts of his father, Telemachus’ voice [blew away] the king. He was thus swayed to state, “Your way with words – it’s just like [Odysseus’] – I’d swear no youngster could ever speak like you, so apt, so telling” (Homer 111). The fact that even the wise king Nestor was able to recognize the eloquent speech of Telemachus indirectly characterizes Telemachus as knowledgeable and refined. In addition, the connection of Telemachus’ fluency to Odysseus demonstrates the development of Telemachus’ character, which is further cultivated by the fearlessness that Telemachus exhibits when he breaks

Odysseus and Telemakhos are both clear-headed, eloquent, and emotional. These are but three of the traits that they share. They both can keep their head clear in battle, and think quickly to get out of bad situations. They both are able to use their powerful speech to get things to go their way. Both also can become very emotional at times. This shows what a great impact a father has on his son. By setting a good example for Telemakhos, Odysseus guaranteed that Telemakhos would be just as great a man as he

Penelope shows arête with wit and trickery-“so every day she wove on the great loom…every night by torchlight she unwove it; and so for three years she deceived the Akhaians” (112-114)- delays choosing a suitor, loyal to Odysseus

These two actions show the beginning of Telemachus' maturity. When Athena came in disguise to help Telemachus, the name Mentor was appropriately fitting. Before Mentor approached Telemachus, no one was trying to control the suitors or make them leave. But, the advise Mentor gave Telemachus encouraged him to take action against the shameless suitors. He proves to be the man of the house by standing up to his mother so he could address the crowd. He is learning how to take control of a situation, which he does not stand for, and how to stand up for himself and his family.

In the Odyssey Telemachus has varying relationships with his mother, Penelope, the suitors, and his nurse, Eurycleia; a mother and son but also head of household and subordinate member of the household, a young boy and superior men, and a son and mother but also a master and servant. In the poem, Telemachus must find out what became of his father, Odysseus, who never returned home from the Trojan war. Meanwhile suitors from various places try to force his mother, Penelope, into marriage while they deplete all of Odysseus’ resources and destroy his house. With all of these complicated situations, Telemachus must take on a variety of different roles depending on who he’s interacting with. Based on the text, Telemachus has superior, strained, and complex relationships with his mother, the suitors, and Eurycleia.