ipl-logo

Character Of Telemachus In Homer's The Odyssey

785 Words4 Pages

Homer's The Odyssey talks about the journey of the mighty Odysseus and how he reunites with his family. However, the story is not based only on Odysseus. Other major characters play a huge role. Telemachus, even though he is not the main character, has an interesting development and background story. In the beginning of The Odyssey, in the Telemachy, Telemachus is weak, and naive. The suitors bullied him around and he was too scared to do anything about it. However, it is at the end of the book that he shows his manhood. He was a weak boy when the story starts. By the end of the book, however, Telemachus, with the help of Athena, becomes the leader he is destined to be: fighting alongside Odysseus as an equal, killing the suitors. In the beginning of the book, Telemachus is an innocent child. He is not brave enough to …show more content…

Telemachus commanded Penelope to "go back to your quarter. Tend to your tasks" (Homer 435). He became the man of the household then. In the beginning of the book, Penelope is the one who holds the suitors back, she is the one who keeps the suitors at bay. Now, Telemachus does not need her to do that anymore, he talks and mocks the suitors himself. Moreover, Telemachus fought the suitors with Odysseus; "Telemachus -too quick- stabbed the man from behind" (Homer 442). He fought alongside Odysseus, and he does not treat Telemachus like a child anymore, Odysseus treats Telemachus as his equal in battle. When Telemachus fought with Odysseus he takes the blame even though it is not his fault when the suitors got the weapons from the storeroom. He apologized: "My fault, father,' the cool clear prince replied," (Homer 444). Responsibility is shown when one takes the blame of others when necessary and Telemachus shows it clearly.Telemachus definitely matured by the end of the book as he shows responsibility and

Show More
Related
153 Words | 1 Pages

In chapter 16 Telemachus has returned from Ithaca. Since Telemachus had been traveling for a while, Ulysses, Telemachus and Eumaeus caught up. Telemachus tells Eumaeus and Ulysses about the mischief planned against him by suitors on his estate. Eumaeus went to tell Telemachus’s mother that he had returned. Athena then came and disguised Odysseus and told him to reveal his identity to Telemachus and plan their revenge on the suitors.

Read More
160 Words | 1 Pages

The Relationship between Telemachus and Odysseus his father is very different. First off, Telemachus has really never met his father but there is still some relation there. Telemachus longs to meet his father and have a relationship. It is very clear that Telemachus struggles to come to the fact that his father has been away for so long and questions at the beginning of the books if he will every come home. Once Telemachus is told by Athena in disguise that his father is still alive ( lines 220-228 in Fagles) he longs on a journey to try and find his dad to see if he is alive.

Read More
555 Words | 3 Pages

In the novel, The Odyssey translated by Robert Fitzgerald, Telemachus gives a speech to Ithaca. He argues to the suitors about disrespecting his father Odysseus’ home even though they think Odysseus is dead and will never come home. Courageously, from the heart, Telemachus goes up against the suitors to state control over the key social practices of marriage hospitality. Telemachus’ speech was effective because it showed pathos, logos, and ethos. Telemachus looks and acts the part of his father, astonishing those who presumably knew him as a boy.

Read More
342 Words | 2 Pages

Telemakhus The Odyssey, written by Homer, tells the story of the adventures of Odysseus's journey. During his return, Odysseus encounters treacherous waters, horrifying beasts, and angry gods. The story also focuses on his family and friends that wait for his return back home in Ithaca. One character that shows the qualities of a hero is Odysseus's son, Telemakhus.

Read More
1524 Words | 7 Pages

273-275). This shows Telemachus being weak, because he has lost all hope for his father and his return and he also holds belief that his father, Odysseus is dead. This proves that Telemachus is still a boy in the beginning because, he is showing weakness by giving up and believing that Odysseus is dead and will never return. Another example of Telemachus being weak in the beginning is that he continues to lose hope and doubt his father 's return to Ithaca. Telemachus says, “Eurymachus, clearly my father 's journey home is lost forever/

Read More
665 Words | 3 Pages

The suitors both disrespect Telemachus and his mother yet encourage him to do what they want at the same

Read More
1318 Words | 6 Pages

Before Athena appearing as a Mentor, Homer shows Telémakhos as a shy boy who is having difficulties to live up to his father’s legendary reputation. He is shown as detached, lost and confused. Rather than taking an action, Telémakhos kept on complaining about the suitors’ manipulation of Xenia. In order to reach manhood, Athena calls him to action through making him undergo a journey. This journey, through Homer’s words, is not only meant to pave the way for him to mature by the time Odysseus is back, but also to save him from the suitor’s plot to kill him.

Read More
677 Words | 3 Pages

She instructs him to “sail in quest of news of your long-lost father.” (86). Using her disguise, Athena reaches Telemachus and offers him wisdom. Telemachus takes this advice to heart and sets out to find his father. By offering this information about Odysseus, Athena inspires Telemachus.

Read More
1474 Words | 6 Pages

Odyssey Argumentative Essay The Odyssey is an epic by Homer. It is a story about Odysseus journey back to Ithaca after the Trojan War. All the Greek heroes had returned home after the Trojan War except for Odysseus who was an important hero in Ithaca. Odysseus was absent in his son’s life and Telemachus decided that, it was time to find his father and bring him back home to his wife Penelope.

Read More
1064 Words | 5 Pages

After weeks of struggle, Athena sends Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, to his father. Once Odysseus reveals his identity to his son, Telemachus questions how a low-life looking beggar could be his noble father. The unrecognizable father tells his son, “It is no hard thing for the gods of heaven to glorify a man or bring him low” (Homer 633). One can see Odysseus’ impersonation of a beggar and the proverb symbolizes a growth in character. To be brought low in the hierarchy, Odysseus experiences struggles in the commonwealth.

Read More
877 Words | 4 Pages

William Gigerich Mrs. Swank English 9 Honors 4 March 2015 “Athena’s Persuasive Powers” Persuasion is a tricky thing; it can be used both for good and for evil. Homer’s The Odyssey shows the skilled and tactical goddess, Athena, use persuasion in both good and bad ways.

Read More
1332 Words | 6 Pages

Prior to the speech Menelaus has no urgency and respect for Telemachus'; he says “I'll escort you myself, harness the horses, guide you through the the towns,” which together imply that Telemachus should not travel by himself because he is still a boy (384). Directly after and because of “that” speech, however, Menelaus says “he told his wife and serving-women to lay out a meal at once,” and subsequently wishes Telemachus safe travels home (384). This contrast shows the effectiveness of Telemachus speech and, because the speech convinces Menelaus’ that Telemachus is capable of traveling by himself, reveals Telemachus’ maturity. Telemachus willingness to single handedly push himself to manhood, in times of personal and familial crisis, stresses his determination. Notably, all the compliments of Telemachus in this scene were from Menelaus and not Homer, once again revealing Homer’s

Read More
591 Words | 3 Pages

Homer delivers very universal themes, such as loyalty is respected, but the epic also provides meaningful themes that are not as recognizable. The Odyssey is very focused on leadership and courage, as it centers on a hero's journey. There are many parts in the epic where Homer explains the actions of an admirable leader. In the Odyssey, Odysseus exemplifies the true meaning of being a leader through courage in the face of danger, which is shown by Circe, the Sirens, and the suitors. One might wonder why it takes Odysseus ten years to return to his homeland after he has achieved victory for Ithaca in the Trojan War.

Read More
948 Words | 4 Pages

In his journey, he gets help from Athena and wise knowledge from Menelaus. He takes risks, shows strength, confidence, and responsibility towards the end as he fights alongside his father. After enduring hardships and overcoming obstacles, Telemachus evidently matured into a man who made his father

Read More
402 Words | 2 Pages

There is an important lesson that Telemachus stands to learn from the Telemachy. That lesson would be the transition from boyhood, to manhood. The Telemachy helps provoke much thought on this particular lesson that Telemachus stands to learn throughout the journey of books 1 through 4 of The Odyssey of Homer. Beginning in book 1, Telemachus is unhappy about what is happening in his home. His mother, Penelope, is under force to become remarried due to the disappearance and/or death, of her husband, Odysseus.

Read More

More about Character Of Telemachus In Homer's The Odyssey

Related Topics

Open Document