Telemachus In The Odyssey

But come, send us off to bed. It's time to rest, time to joy the sweet relief of sleep.””(133. 325-331) This quote is essential to the character of Telemachus as it helps to show how he grew mentally from a boy into a man. He was referred to as “clear-sighted,” which signifies how he evolved from a young boy with clouded judgement into a wise and clever prince with a clear mind. By the end of book four, Telemachus was well on his way to becoming a great leader and ruler like Odysseus, but he still had quite a way to

(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

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.

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

      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

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.

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.

It shows that she wants to help Telemachus mature, gain power that is rightfully his including a higher status in society and a more outspoken personality, find his father, etc. Another way that their journeys parallel is that both experienced very generous examples of xenia, or the Greek code of hospitality. Telemachus experienced this with King Nestor and King Menelaus, which were both very positive experiences for him. With Odysseus, some of the hosts were not very good at following Xenia (Circle, because she turned his men into pigs, Lotus Eaters, because they gave his men fruit that “imprisoned them on the island”, Calypso, because she forced him to stay on her island, etc). Some of the hosts were also good at the same time even though they were bad, including Circle after Odysseus slept with her, and Calypso, because she cared for him lovingly. The Phaecians were hosts who are very caring, and they give him gifts, a safe ride home, food, clothing, etc. The Phaecians displayed ideal characteristics of xenia.

The narrator talks about Telemachus, “The prince, inspired gave his first command.” The quote shows that Telemachus his more confidence in himself because he made his first command as a leader. As a leader you need strict rules. Telemachus never demanded anyone anything before. So far for him to give rules as a leader is a big sign that he is gaining confidence in himself.

He was unable to stand up to them in the face of the suitors and when he tried he was mocked and made fun of. Athena tells Telemachus to leave his childish ways behind, she said: “Telemachus, you are to be no thoughtless man, no coward, if truly the strong force of your father is instilled in you; such a man he was for accomplishing word and action.” (Odyssey 2.267-272) She inspired him to be like his father and to not be cowards. Telemachus’ self-discover happen swiftly, Athen notices a change in the way him and the way he carried himself, as seen in the is excerpt from the book; "Few sons are equal of their fathers; most fall short, all too few surpass them But you, brave and adept from this day on, Odysseus' cunning has hardly given out in you there's hope that you will reach your goal.

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).

He then lays out a clear course of action and asks for specific things. Although there is no immediate result, Telemachus proves that he is a force to be reckoned with. Princes will soon assume leadership positions of their own. They too will rule over kingdoms, and need to state their case. Telemachus teaches them that presenting a clear cut course of action, will most likely

Another piece of evidence that is shows Telemachus' virtues is his confidence in ordering his mother and her maids to abide by his will; their compliance shows us that he is worthy of honor. Thus Telemachus has the virtues necessary to be a ruler: courage, wisdom, prudence, confidence, and xenia.

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

While King Menelaus of Sparta is meant to serve as a mentor and fatherly figure to young Telemachus, he subverts his role by questioning the importance of his own accomplishments, and therefore, the values conventionally associated with the epic hero. Although readers are primarily focused on the story of Telemachus who is on a quest to find his father, Odysseus, and his own identity, hearing Menelaus’s tale not only advances and adds depth to the basic plot of the text but inserts another layer to Telemachus’s journey into manhood. His story is a classic example of hubris, the excess of ambition and pride, which eventually leads to his downfall and sorrow. The king, as witnessed by the protagonist, holds an impressive past. After fighting