ipl-logo

The Character Of Telemachus In Homer's Odyssey

601 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Telemachus in Homer's Odyssey

Imagine living in ancient times when science did not explain the way the universe works, rather myths filled with death and destruction, and glory and Gods were all you had to turn to. According to Bulfinch, "The myths of the ancients were allegorical and symbolical, and contained some moral, religious, or philosophical truth or historical fact, under the form of an allegory", but came in process of time to be understood literally. The ancient Greeks took what was originally meant to be fiction and made it fact. Although scientific advancements have taken the place of the myths for most people today, the ancient Greeks devoutly believed in Gods and goddesses like Athena who in their minds influenced everything around them. In Greek Mythology, …show more content…

Of all the powers Athena has been granted, her most interesting feature is being able to take on the appearance of anything she needs to in order to manipulate any situation in her favor. In the Odyssey, when Telemachus has given up on Odysseus because he has been gone so long, "Athena assumed the appearance of a family friend, the Taphian chieftain Mentes, bronze spear in hand”(Homer 113). She does this in order to get Telemachus to forgive his father and go to save him. Her visit is effective because Telemachus stepped up to the plate and took control of his household. Athena uses her ability to morph into whatever entity she needs often throughout Greek Mythology for good intentions. In conclusion, since Athena’s birth, she has been one of the most influential goddess in Greek mythology. Along with being the goddess of wisdom, she is also known for courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. She is the most truest by Zeus, the God of all God’s. Along with this, her most dominant feature is being able to take on the appearance of anything she wants to manipulate any situation in her favor. With all of these, she has extraordinary powers, which guide both immortal and mortals

Show More
Related

The Importance Of Telemachus Speech In The Odyssey

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

Essay On Athena In The Odyssey

1515 Words | 7 Pages

Athena is a major character throughout the book of The Odyssey and is known as the goddess of wisdom and battle. Throughout the course of the book, it is evident that Athena has a weak spot for the main character, Odysseus. Odysseus is trying to return home after the Trojan War, as the other Greek hero’s have already done, however he faces multiple challenges a long the way. Fortunately, for Odysseus, Athena was there to guide him through a few of these troubling situations.

Read More

How Did Zeus Influence The Greek Gods And Goddesses

1584 Words | 7 Pages

In Greece the Greeks looked up to the gods and goddesses of the Greek culture. The gods and goddesses were the rulers of Greece and had the most power. They over saw everything the humans would do whether it being barbaric or civilized. There were a number of Greek gods and goddesses, but some over powered others. They fought in many wars and helped humans accomplish many different activities in order for them to survive.

Read More

The Role Of Telemachus In Homer's Odyssey

249 Words | 1 Pages

Ithaca received two visitors this weekend. An unexpectedly powerful Telemachus who addressed the hundreds of suitors awaiting Penelope to leave his estate. Telemachus also has sought out to Pylos and Sparta for news of his father, Odysseus, who after his victory in Troy has never returned home. This all comes after Mentes, one of Odysseus’ friends has decided to lead Telemachus to the man his father would have made him. A source of the family tells us exclusively that some of the suitors questioned the identity of Mentor.

Read More

Character Analysis Of Telémakhos In Homer's Odyssey

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

Athena Disguise In The Odyssey

677 Words | 3 Pages

For example, Athena uses her power of disguise to help Telemachus on his journey to find his father. She continues to use this power to disguise Odysseus as a beggar to allow him to reunite with his family and prove his power and worth to Penelope among the suitors. Telemachus and Odysseus are ultimately victorious because of Athena’s power; in fact, Athena is the hero of this epic poem. With Athena’s guidance and help, both Telemachus and Odysseus ultimately prove

Read More

The Odyssey Essay: The Role Of Women In Homer's Odyssey

1255 Words | 6 Pages

Women are greatly judged by their looks throughout the book. They believe that a woman is successful if any of her direct family have an important position (e.g. King, God) or is a heroic figure. Even though Athena and Calypso are very different, one evident similarity, is their ability to influence and control men. Athena greatly interferes in Telemachus’ and Odysseus’ lives by utilizing her intellect. Her power, influence and control on men can either be seen as a positivity or as a negativity.

Read More

The Odyssey: The Story Of Telemachus In The Odyssey

2001 Words | 9 Pages

We are introduced to a reoccurring character within the epic, Telemachus. He is a very simple character with complex characteristics. We are able to interpret him through the different stages of his life. Athena, Zeus’s daughter, took form of Mentes in order to talk to Telemachus, whom is the son of Odyssey. She is the motivator of his adventure.

Read More

Athena's Role In The Odyssey

776 Words | 4 Pages

This was shown when Athena helped Odysseus with a wise plan to win the war with the suitors by changing Odysseus’s appearance. When Odysseus returned to Ithaca, Athena disguised him by turning him into an old beggar. Through this Odysseus gathered information on what is going on in the palace. Athena does not want to do the work for him, as he can learn and grow also through the process. When it was appropriate, she change him back but also enhanced him to be more built, taller and

Read More

Telemachus Journey To Maturity In Homer's Odyssey

948 Words | 4 Pages

Journey to Maturity The Odyssey by Homer recognizes the importance of maturity throughout the epic poem, applied from Telemachus, as he grows from a weak, scared boy to a strong, responsible man who develops newly found skills, overcomes various obstacles, and reflects on his need to approach his problems as Homer showcases Telemachus as a prime example of maturation as he finds his father and fights alongside him to slay the suitors. Telemachus expresses maturation by achieving his goals, learning from his mistakes and experiences, taking risks, being strong, courageous, and confident, as well as enduring hardship to claim honor in the end. Telemachus trains to achieve his goal of finding his father. He matures with the help of many characters

Read More

Athena Intervention In The Odyssey

1056 Words | 5 Pages

Athena, knowing that she set up everything perfectly, helps Oddyseus finally get the help he needs from King Alcinous and his people in order to bring him closer to home. Another way Athena shows her cunning strategies is in Book 7 as she covers Odysseus in a mist and disguises herself as a little girl as they go into town to see the king and queen of Scheria. …says, “Pallas Athena, harboring kindness for the hero, drifted a heavy mist around him, shielding him from any swaggering islander who’d cross his path” (7.15-17). Athena, drifting the mist around Odysseus, helps him traverse smoother and easier into town. This allowed him to concentrate on how he is going to present himself to King Alcinous instead of

Read More

Lessons Learned From The Telemachus In Homer's Odyssey

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

The Gods And Mortals In Homer's The Odyssey

610 Words | 3 Pages

Instead of being perfect omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent gods, they have limited power and influence, and are often driven by humanistic emotions and desires. While the gods do show concern over some mortals, they don’t make decisions solely concerning the wellbeing or interests of the humans, but instead, like the humans themselves, usually act with their own interests at heart. Athena and Poseidon both acts in accordance to their desires and emotions, and have a biased view on particular humans. Unlike the perfect deities we have in mind when we think of the divine, Greek gods are just immortal beings who are just as fallible and imperfect as the humans they preside

Read More

The Role Of Athena And Penelope In Homer's Odyssey

1380 Words | 6 Pages

She is portrayed as the average Greek woman, but in reality is very cunning. Though both these women are two different characters, their roles are similar, and they both are equally powerful. They are cunning; teach Xenia; develop Odysseus’ character; and an important role in their families. Athena is the cunning Goddess who guides Odysseus back to Ithaca for his family and countrymen without letting him know her reality – she disguises herself every now and then to help him by testing him and his knowledge.

Read More

Conversation Between Athena And Odysseus In The Book 13

797 Words | 4 Pages

The conversation between Athena and Odysseus in the middle of book 13 reveals how each of them feels and thinks about the other at this stage in the epic. When Athena is first coming to meet Odysseus, after he has landed on Ithaca, she decides not to appear as herself to Odysseus, but first as a “young man… a shepherd boy”, and she then changes back to herself (13.252). She does this to get an honest opinion from him, as if she had appeared as a god, he might not have been honest with her. She also wants to hear his story, and see if he is actually thinking about her. After he does not “recognize” her because of her “endless” shapes, she is angry with him and accuses him of “never getting tired of twists and tricks” (13.340,56,32).

Read More

More about The Character Of Telemachus In Homer's Odyssey

Related Topics

Open Document