Preview

Character Of Telemachus In Homer's Odyssey

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
269 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Character Of Telemachus In Homer's Odyssey
Only a newborn child when his dad left for Troy, Telemachus is as yet developing when the Odyssey starts. He is entirely committed to his mom and to keeping up his dad's home, yet he doesn't know how to shield them from the suitors. All things considered, it has just been a couple of years since he initially acknowledged what the suitors' expectations were. His meeting with Athena in Book 1 changes things. Beside enhancing his stature and bearing, she shows him the obligations of a youthful sovereign. He soon turns out to be more emphatic. He stands up to the suitors and reviles the misuse of his domain, and when Penelope and Eurycleia get to be on edge or disturb, he doesn't bashful far from taking control.

Telemachus never completely coordinates

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    When reflecting upon Telemachus standing up to the suitors and slowly taking back what rightfully belonged to his family, you see him mature with confidence and courage like his father. He is able to boss around his mother with such confidence it reminds her of her great husband Odysseus. Also with Athena’s help Telemachus is able to achieve what everyone thought was impossible for a young man like him. Her wise influence helps him figure out his role at the palace. “I hold the reins of power in this house,” (28) Telemachus says boldly to his mother in attempt to prove his maturity. This little surge of energy was given to him by his guardian Athena goddess of wisdom and war. She disguised herself as a wise old man then gives Telemachus advice that will help him deal with the destruction of his father’s palace. In this passage lines 13-16 “you suitors who plague my mother, you, you insolent overweening… for this evening let us dine and take our pleasure no more shouting now,”(13-16) with ellipsis’s show that Telemachus was emotionally aware and knew what to do at certain times. He is becoming more self aware like his father, which shows he is maturing in his heart and his mind. Also lines like “All of you destroyed in my house while I go scot-free myself!” (27-28) that have the italicized words put an emphasis on the subject. Showing the suitors he means business when it comes to his family. This shows maturity and confidence he gains with the help of Athena, another thing that shows he’s just like his father.With his goals all set Telemachus takes Athena’s advice to heart and becomes his fathers’ son. He’s new attitude and confidence are shocking everyone, “Astonished she withdrew to her room” (6) this talks about telemachus showing his superior to his mother yet surprising her. And this new found confidence he steps up to the suitors, “Amazed that the prince could speak with so much daring,” (30). He surprises the suitors with a…

    • 394 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Telemachus’ Growth

    • 604 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In every person’s life instances occur that shape and define one’s character and integrity. In Homer’s The Odyssey, several occasions transpire during which Telemachus grows in his positive mentality and acts with supreme courage: Telemachus forcefully addressing his mother, Telemachus standing up to the suitors, and Telemachus courageously setting sail in search of his long lost father.…

    • 604 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In The Odyssey written by Homer and translated by Richard Lattimore, several themes are made evident, conceived by the nature of the time period, and customs of the Greek people. These molded and shaped the actual flow of events and outcomes of the poem. Beliefs of this characteristic were represented by the sheer reverence towards the gods and the humanities the Greek society exhibited, and are both deeply rooted within the story.…

    • 2525 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In the novel The Odyssey Telemachus is destined to find his father Odysseus who has been imprisoned for up to ten years by Poseidon for blinding Poseidon's son Polyphemus. Telemachus is Odysseus son whose destiny has been predetermined by the gods. Telemachus was chosen out of many to find his father and bring him to freedom. Telemachus destiny was made for him when Athena the god of wisdom disguised herself as a mentor.…

    • 171 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The poem begins with four books telling of a future hero, Odysseus's son Telemachus. Telemachus has his father's gift of speech and some of his courage, but needs Athena's encouragement before he ventures forth. Athena makes explicit Odysseus's excellence. Posing as Mentor, she marvels "now there was a man, I'd say, in words and actions both!" (102). Many Greek heroes are men of action, a few others skilled in counsel, but few combine the two like Odysseus. As Telemachus relates it, people say that Odysseus pledged his word and "made it good in action" on the battlefield (110). Telemachus wishes that his father could have had a good death in battle, or in old age at home, either of which would mean great fame for the Greek hero. Instead, he…

    • 166 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    information which he obtained from the Old man of the sea to the reader. The…

    • 258 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Book 3 of The Odyssey, Homer characterizes Telemachus as confident and authoritative, as demonstrated through his speech and physique, despite his initial self-uncertainty. In the process, Telemachus’ character transforms dramatically. At first, Telemachus was unconfident in his abilities to converse. He explicitly revealed this uncertainty to Athena as he stated, “How can I greet him, Mentor, even approach the king? I’m hardly adept at subtle conversation” (Homer 108). His lack of confidence hindered his ability to inquire King Nestor for news regarding Odysseus’ whereabouts. The self-doubt expressed in Telemachus portrays him as being tentative about his abilities, especially when compared to those of Odysseus. However, a dramatic development…

    • 343 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Like Telemacus, in Homer’s The Odyssey , some people need a boost for themselves in order to gow up. In The Odyssey, Telemachus goes on a journeywhich will better allow him to go through his change from boy to man. The people on his journey will help him gather the information he needs about his father .Menelaus and Nestor recognized Telemachus as the son of the mighty Odysseus. As a result, they gave him guest gifts and made him…

    • 80 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Telemachus: the Real Hero

    • 1083 Words
    • 5 Pages

    This essay will dissect Joseph Campbell’s Cosmogonic Cycle’s description of a hero. But what is a hero? Joseph Campbell defines a hero as one who takes a journey over land, through the mind, or of memory but one that comes out a changed man at the end of it. This essay will explain how Telemachus meets all of the standards that Joseph Campbell has set and therefore is a hero. He does not quite meet all of Campbell’s set standards, but he is still hero-like because he does all of what he needs to with maturity and finesse that only a hero could possess. Telemachus sees that he needs to go and see where his father has been, so he takes that as his “Call to Adventure,” so he sets of to go find clues about his father’s whereabouts. During this journey he encounters many trials such as tempting offers from kings, if he is ever to achieve hero status he will need to resist temptations and survive the adventures that he will take. Telemachus does not truly fulfill all of the steps of the Cosmogonic Cycle; but, he is still a universal hero.…

    • 1083 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    When Telemachus meets Athena she exclaims how he looks remarkable similar to the hero she patronized, "You must be, by your looks, Odysseus' boy?" (8), through her description of their similarities readers are able to be introduced to Odysseus without even meeting him. The effect of comparing father to son brings a dramatic element that leaves readers awaiting for the reunion of the two. Elaborating on Athena's guidance to Odysseus, and eventually Telemachus, her help shows that the gods are reoccurring throughout the epic and in Greek…

    • 402 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the beginning chapters of The Odyssey, Telemachus lacks a lot of self confidence. Even though he is most likely a man in his late twenties or…

    • 764 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Is Telemachus A Hero

    • 133 Words
    • 1 Page

    My definition of a hero is someone who puts themselves last and tries to make sure who they care about the most is okay. Based on my definition, I would say that Telemachus is a hero. Telemachus puts his mother and father before himself throughout the whole story. You can tell he cares about Odysseus because he travels miles and miles around to try and get some information on his well being. He cares for penelope by trying his best to rid his household of the suitors. Another way he cares for penelope is by trying to find out if Odysseus is alive so she can either marry a suitor or wait for his return. Lastly, he shows his loyalty to odysseus even though he’s not there by using some of his virtues.…

    • 133 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In this classic epic, a fatherly presence is important in transforming a young and ignorant boy into a well instructed man through life lessons and morals. When Athena, disguised as Mentor, asks Telemachus about his dad, “Young Telemachus cautiously replied, ‘Mother has always told me I’m his son, it’s true, but I am not so certain’ ” (84). With the absence of Odysseus in much of Telemachus’s early life, he lacks confidence, communication skills, and leadership. For example, Telemachus does not have enough courage and strength to rid the suitors from the palace by himself and fails to take control of the kingdom. However, had Odysseus been present in Telemachus’s childhood, Telemachus would have gained valuable lessons such as the importance of confidence and leadership and would have most likely rid the palace of the suitors. Pisistratus, King Nestor’s son, has accomplished many things in his lifetime and is a well respected leader, partly due to the guidance that King Nestor had provided to him. For example, Pisistratus is already the captain of armies and has accomplished many feats. This effective father-son relationship was possible…

    • 1121 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Eulogy For Telemachus

    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages

    It was at this exact spot that I stood here 20 years ago, before you, the people of the great Ithaca. Having to leave here wasn’t something I ever desired, who ever loves to leave the ones they love and they one they trust. I left for the war and I beat myself up daily, but I realized that I left to war so I must come back, I cannot die in this war and I must be able to come and fulfill my role as leader. Achilles, Ajax, Patroclus all deserve respect as well for aiding me in the war, helping make sure I could live a long life, but they deserved it more, I wish I can repay them. I am so glad to see my son, Telemachus grow into a man that I have always believed he can be, one day he will be the leader, he will be able to protect and govern Ithaca better than I ever could have.…

    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I miss you very much. I have been away for 15 years now, but something always gets in my way. Usually it’s Poseidon, but not even a god can keep us apart! Don’t worry, I will come home soon for you and Telemachus. Continue to be strong and fight off the suitors who want to take our kingdom! I am alive and healthy, so I will take it back once I return to Ithica. I hope all is well with you and our son. I will tell you more of my adventure when I see you in person next. I hope you have a great Valentine’s Day even though we can’t spend it together. I love you Penelope!…

    • 118 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays