Essay On Telemachus Relationship 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.

      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

Still he searches out for clues and any information of the possible demise of his father. He is willing to go far and wide just for the knowledge of his father's whereabouts. He is a faithful son and aids his father in all possible ways as Odysseus returns and reclaims what is legitimately his. Telemachus is there to fight side by side with his father whom he has only loved in his heart and mind. Some would call that blind faith. Just as the God whom we serve today calls us to love and serve him without seeing him with our eyes, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). Although Odysseus is Telemachus' earthly father, one can see the parallels. He is as devoted to Odysseus as Penelope is; yet he has no actual memory of his father what so ever.

In the beginning of The Odyssey, Telemachus is not yet a man and not sure of himself yet. Embarking on a mission to find his father, he matures from a child to a strong, single-minded adult. Throughout the poem, Telemachus finds his place in the world and becomes a more well-rounded person. Although Telemachus never quite matches his father Odysseus in terms of wit, strength, agility, his resilience does develop throughout the text. In the epic, The Odyssey, by Homer, the young boy Telemachus changes from an insecure teen into a confident and poised young man as he travels the seas in search for his father, whose bravery and intelligence proves to be comparable to his own.

Both father and son row and change drastically throughout the epic, but in different ways. Telemachus’ journey, and after that the killing of the suitors who took advantage of him really show how his journeys and problems throughout the epic mature him from being a shy, timid boy into a mature man who can fight his own

The foiling of father and son relationships is expressed heavily throughout the rest of The Odyssey. The most prominent is the one between Odysseus and Telemachus. Odysseus reveal has been planned by Athena and Telemachus reaction is one of normality, “ O Father,

Odysseus is the main character in an epic poem called the Odyssey. In the poem Odysseus has had some bad luck getting home, with some of the gods helping him and some hindering him; his journey towards home is a constant struggle. In this poem we see a man being broke and rebuilt, through constant irony his faith was damaged and without the help of Athena he probably would have given up on his journey. Through his hard work and wise spirit he finally does achieve his goal.

He discusses the loss of his father, which has left a great burden on his life, he doesn’t know if his father is alive or dead or if he will be returning. Telemachus complains of the suitors and what they are doing to his home, “They infest our place day and night, they butcher our cattle, our sheep, our fat goats, feasting themselves sick, swilling our glowing wine as if there’s no tomorrow… Now we have no man like Odysseus in command to drive this curse from the house”(II.59-63). “I wish at least I had some happy man / as father, growing old in his own house— / but unknown death and silence are the fate / of him that, since you ask, they call my father” (I.261-264). This line displays Telemachus’ feelings of self-pity and immaturity that he has in the beginning of his journey to become a resilient individual. Telemachus is without any strength in his own home and reaches to people outside his home for help, but eventually he must use his own strength to restore his father’s

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

Family relationships run deep and last long, and Odysseus and Telemachus had a strong father/son relationship. Both Odysseus and Telemachus had deep emotional feelings of longing and loss, which is a new character trait in Odysseus who usually hides his feelings. Likewise, after so many years of Odysseus’ absence, his son, Telemachus, receives his long gone father with joy and little hesitation. Even while Odysseus was gone, which seemed like forever, Telemachus defended his father’s name. When his father finally returned, their relationship took off again, and they just clicked. This shows how fathers play a powerful role in their son’s life. But it is important that the father be involved in order to make his son feel loved and valued.

The Odyssey is known to be a one of the greatest epic poems written during the 8th century BC Homer’s epic poem contains stories about Odysseus journey of returning home. However, it is not just about Odysseus’s journey back home but, his son Telemachus who finds out that his father is alive and in order for Telemachus to find his father. He must develop himself to become like his father because his father is known for being a man who is cunning, strong, well crafted, and responsible. In book 2 of the Odyssey, Homer illustrates Telemachus coming age by using imagery of violence, change in his diction, and simile portraying how he is maturing and developing himself to become like his father.

With Telemachus unhealthy grudge against his void father figure gone, he is able to overcome his abandonment and focus on his new responsibility as man of the house. His transformation becomes slightly clearer with his view on hospitality, otherwise know as xenia. Xenia back then was considered the most important value of a domestic Greek lifestyle and was believed to gain the person who practiced it best, favor with the gods. But when this sacred act is violated... what should one do? At first when the suitors came to court his mother, he was blinded by his imprudent hate for the absence of his father. He did not realize that the act of xenia

Homer’s first four books of the epic poem The Odyssey, translated by Robert Fagles, introduces a seemingly weak boy struggling with his identity, who goes on a journey to find his missing father. During his 20 year absence, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, Odysseus, is absent in parenting his son Telemachus. The young prince is deeply affected by his fatherless upbringing, and thus suitors take advantage of Odysseus’s absence, infesting Odysseus’ home, eating away his legacy, all while attempting to steal away his wife, Penelope. Telemachus fails to act upon his authoritative responsibilities on his father's behalf. Telemachus was never raised with the proper skills to become a leader, leaving him helpless in the face of danger of his kingdom.