Odyssey Hero's Journey

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

(2) Another outcome of Athena’s encouragement is Telemachus’ development of eloquence. At first, he is tentative and inexperienced at using his loquaciousness on the suitors and Ithacans, but he soon becomes an expert orator when speaking to Menelaus. After Athena’s inspiration, Telemachus finally confronts the courters and complains about their insolence. He delivers a scolding speech, which prompts them to be “amazed that [he] can speak with so much daring” (1. 439). His loquaciousness surprises the suitors, as they have never heard him audaciously advocate for his beliefs. However, his complaints do not leave a lasting effect on the courters, as they immediately begin to “dance and s[ing]” (1. 480). Telemachus then becomes tentative, and eventually succumbs and does not reprimand them again. Thus, his hesitation and amateurism prohibits him from completely inducing them to leave. Moreover, he is unsuccessful in rousing the Ithacans to retaliate against the suitors. Telemachus attempts to make an inspiring speech to persuade the Ithacans to fight against the courters, but instead, he provokes “pity [to] seize [the Ithacans]” (2. 88). The response is the opposite of what the young prince desired, and this failure proves Telemachus is still a neophyte at utilizing his eloquence. At Menelaus’ house, Telemachus matures and becomes an effective and influential speaker. Menelaus offers three magnificent stallions to Telemachus, but he

He can mock and threaten them, but he can not make them leave until they see him as an equal, not as a child. Telemachus leaves Ithaca to find information on his father, and in turn to discover his own place in his family line. Even just a few pieces of information grants Telemachus insight into his line and gives him confidence. “Odysseus’ son rejoiced; the boy could sit no longer—fired up to speak, he took his stand among the gathered men” (2.36-8). Telemachus joins the other men, beginning to confirm his position as the head of the household. Telemachus is filled with energy and power; he is beginning to realise his position in

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.

Heroes, as shown in literature, often undertake the most difficult tasks and place themselves in mortal danger in order to bring back, for themselves and their societies, both knowledge and treasure. Their stories follow “Hero Journey.” The Odyssey, as the epic story of the hero Odysseus, follows closely the complete cycle of a Hero Journey, both as a physical and as a psychological undertaking. The Hero Journey, used as a framework for both Odysseus’ physical and mental journeys, serves to bind the two together. Each of Odysseus’s physical difficulties can be viewed as a metaphor for a psychological hardship that he must overcome, and by overcoming these hardships, Odysseus matures—achieving a more complete understanding of himself and

      During the book it seems that even a goddess, such as Athene, does not know what to do with somebody as incompetent, and inexperienced as Telemachus.  Athene toys with some ideas and then finally decides to get Telemachus to go to Sparta.  Perhaps it is this journey that finally gives Telemachus a chance to mature and see the world.  Through this journey, Telemachus' first, he sees many new sights and encounters new situations. He is humbled when he sees the palace of Menelaos and his most beautiful

Homer shows how Telemachus has grown up in The Odyssey, through how he changes his attitude about taking responsibility for his household. At the beginning of the story, he is not that adamant about taking care of his home. He says, “’Isn’t it quite enough that you, my mother’s suitors have ravaged it all, my very best, these many years, while I was still a boy?’” (Pg. 103 lines 346-8) He just cares about the material wealth of the household. He doesn’t think that it is his duty to take care of it. This is a very immature view. However, Telemachus does take some responsibility for it. He lets the guest into his house and tells his mother to go upstairs, which shows he is taking responsibility for what is his. This is true in some ways, but he is only taking on minimal responsibility because it is required of him, not because he

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.

He shows loyalty to his family by risking his life on the search for the knowledge of Odysseus’ situation. He journeys to Pylos and Sparta to seek news of his father whether he is dead or lost. This shows loyalty to Odysseus because he risks his life to know of his well being. This also shows loyalty to Penelope by journeying to Pylos and Sparta, even though his path may be dangerous, just so he can find knowledge of Odysseus and ease his mother’s pain. He also shows loyalty to Penelope by trying to protect her and keeping the suitors away from her. During the final battle, Telemakhos shows loyalty to his father by fighting side by side with him against the suitors even though he knows he might die in battle.

Throne of Glass is an invigorating fictional book that embodies the Hero’s Journey through a fictional adventure including mystical beasts, princes, and magic. Since ancient Greece, adventures have been formatted by a Hero’s Journey. The Odyssey is an Epic written by Homer in the 8th Century and told the story of a man’s adventure to win a beautiful wife. Together, these lively adventures incorporate portions of the Hero’s Journey including crossing the threshold, the ordeal, and tests, allies, and enemies.

In the first four books of novel, The Odyssey, translated by Robert Fagles, Homer depicts the change in character in Telemachus. At the beginning, Telemachus was this helpless, weak, ignorant boy, who is supposed to be the prince of Ithaca and the son of the great Odysseus, however, Telemachus is rather “sitting among the suitors”. Homer’s word choice of “among”, stands out, as it makes Telemachus appear weak and not partaking because as a prince, he should be having control over his father’s palace, yet Telemachus isn’t able to act like a prince nor does he live to the high standards and expectations of one. Homer ends the sentence with “heart obsessed with grief”, the word “obsessed” has a negative connotation, which portrays Telemachus’

Just as importantly, Telemachos is also a hero because he proves to be courageous throughout The Odyssey. When the local beggar named Iros comes to the house of Odysseus, the suitors order a fight between the beggar Odysseus and Iros. Unfortunately, Odysseus the beggar hits Iros hard in the jaw, and Iros ends up bleeding. Iros attempts to back out, but the suitors force him to stay and fight. Normally the suitors are cruel and foolish, but they are also drunk and full from the feast. As a result, they end up causing a loud ruckus in Odysseus’ house. At that moment, Penelope walks down and she scolds her son, Telemachos, for not maintaining everything in order. Telemachos responds by saying, “Mother dear, I can’t be surprised that you are angry.

This statement is very telling as it defines not only the appearance of the great Odysseus, but also the son he left behind. Furthermore, it begins to develop a timeline of actions by announcing that Odysseus left home when Telemachus was only a baby. Nestor recognizes that Odysseus ' appearance, vivacity, and personality are apparent in his progeny, Telemachus. This is encouraging to Telemachus as he hears that he resembles the great king Odysseus. As Telemachus presses for news of what has become of his father, Telemachus learns that his father may yet be alive and held captive by a goddess-nymph named Calypso. He then glorifies the strong will of Orestes and encourages Telemachus to do the same: "And you, my friend - / how tall and handsome I see you now - be brave, you too, / so men to come will sing your praises down the years." (3, 226 - 227).

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

(transition) Telemachus finally believes in himself again under the xenia of King Nestor. While in Ithaca, Telemachus does not believe he can do anything to solve his situation, calling himself “a boy inept at battle.” (2.66) He has had little chance to test his natural abilities and develop the skills necessary to deal with the suitors at this point. Thus, while Telemachus’ belief may be correct, it stems from an insecurity the suitors had not only developed, but fed off of. If Telemachus believes he is powerless, he can be outspoken more easily, as the suitors demonstrated in book 2. This cycle is finally broken by the xenia of Athena, disguised as Mentes, offering Telemachus the first true xenia he has ever experienced. Though it is incomplete, lacking the exchange of gifts, the xenia of Athena gives the prince enough courage to take control of his household (1.414). Further, he admits another insecurity of his under this xenia- that he is not