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What Is Telemachus Relationship In The Odyssey

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The Odyssey is mainly about Odysseus and his hardships on his journey back home; however, the main character in the first four books is Telemachus, Odysseus’s son. Since the first four books are about Telemachus, they are called the Telemachy. During the Telemachy, Telemachus grows as a person and learns more about himself and his capabilities. With his motivation to find his father and with the assistance of Athena during his journey, Telemachus learns that he is not a child anymore, but an adult with responsibility and authority.
Telemachus first shows the reader that he is not a child anymore with his actions when Athena visits him disguised as Lord Mentes. When Athena was at the door, he was the only one that noticed her presence and attended to her. Homer states that Telemachus was ashamed that none of the other suitors went to greet the guest (1.07). The other suitors did not seem to notice here even though they came and sat near him to eat. Telemachus offered his xenia when he “invited her to sit and rest her feet upon a stool.” …show more content…

The narrator states “He took his place on his father’s seat. The elders all gave away.” Athena inspired Telemachus to talk to the suitors and get rid of them from his house. Even though Athena inspired him to stand up to the suitors, Telemachus still had the courage to do what she told him, proving that he is not a child anymore. His decision to take a voyage to find his father is a very courageous decision that no child would take, therefore, showing the readers that Telemachus has

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