Telemachus’ Growth

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. During the beginning of book one, Homer portrays Telemachus as a person who does not forcefully approach anybody. However, later in the story Telemachus experiences the opportunity to stand up to his mother, and takes his opportunity to show his courage. “So, mother, /go back to your quarters. Tend to your own tasks, /… and keep the women / working hard as well” (1.409-12). After Telemachus makes this statement his mother acts as if he has never behaved this forceful fully towards her. “Astonished, she withdrew to her room” (1.415-16). Telemachus gained enough courage to stand up to his mother without backing down from her. He demonstrates that he no longer fears approaching and commanding his mother to do something with force.
Toward the beginning of the epic poem, Telemachus acts with absolutely no faith in himself. “He could almost see his father, here/… if only he might drop from the clouds/ and drive these suitors all in a rout throughout the halls/ and regain his pride of place and rule his own domains!" (1.34-37). Telemachus internally feels that he cannot accomplish anything by himself and that his father stands to be the only one courageous enough to drive the suitors out of his castle. Subsequent to this quote, Telemachus approaches the suitors with no fear. “So Telemachus declared. And they all bit their lips,/ amazed the prince could speak with so much daring” (1.438-39). The suitors, appalled with his sudden burst of courage, continued to talk toward Telemachus with little or no respect. Besides the fact that the suitors treat Telemachus the same way, an entirely