At the beginning of the
Odyssey, Telemachus seems young and powerless. He is completely passive in the face of the suitors abuses and they treat him like a pushover. As he embarks on a journey and the epic wears on, how and why does the character of Telemachus change?
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ReplyDeleteTelemachus starts out the epic as a boy, a weak and powerless son, is not given the proper inspiration and destination to become great like his father. Not just a man he must be, a hero to come. At first a coward, he didn't stand up to the suitors who wronged his mother, he didn't stand up to the suitors to leave. It took the advice and inspiration of goddess Athena. Athena was the one who set everything up for him. Setting up the ship, setting up the crew. Giving him instruction for the journey, but do not worry for this. Telemachus follows, with courage not all men have. He set sail, took leadership, and walked right up to king Nestor. It takes true courage to do this. Speak to the king, in search of your long lost father. The man may or may not be dead. The results you find will change your entire life. Nothing will ever be the same. One might be scared to speak in front of Nestor, without ever experience of anything related. "'Nestor excels all men for sense and justice, he knowledge of the world. Three generations he has ruled, they say, and to my young eyes he seems a deathless god!'" (Fagles 115). But Telemachus becomes as his father once was. He becomes the man to make others proud. This is the journey that changes the man, like the journey Gilgamesh took. Although he is sent back by the gods eventually, this is the journey that shows Telemachus growing up.
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ReplyDeleteAs Telemachus progresses on his journey, his character continuously develops from the meek, anxious boy he once was to an eloquent, assertive young man, molded by the tribulations he endures and pure necessity to communicate. His original nature is illustrated near the beginning of the novel as he watches the Suitors abuse the hospitality granted to them by his family. The author describes the young prince’s state, “he could almost see his magnificent father here…if only he might drop from the clouds and drive these suitors all in a rout throughout the halls…so he daydreamed” (Fagles 81). This mindset portrays Telemachus’s original dependent, passive state. He is completely reliant on others, namely his father, to direct his fate for him. However, to complete his journey, Telemachus forces himself to gain tact and independence, two traits that further develop as he continues on his venture. His changed disposition is displayed later in the novel, as he addresses Menelaus, the king of Sparta. Telemachus states, “please Menelaus, don’t keep me quite so long…Yes but now I’m afraid, my comrades must be restless in sacred Pylos” (Fagles 143). Earlier, Telemachus would hesitate to even say a word against another man without the aid of his father. His newfound tact and courage to speak his mind, especially to someone as high in stature as Menelaus, has undoubtedly developed dramatically since his journey’s inception. If Telemachus had not obtained these skills, he would have never been able to progress his journey efficiently, and would have had many delays because of his unwillingness to share his thoughts. Telemachus’s obstacles throughout his travels have molded him, prominently developing his eloquence, boldness, and independence, three traits that will certainly continue to mature as his tribulations wear on.
ReplyDeleteThe reason Telemachus seemed so “young and powerless” is because he is not determined to follow in his father’s footsteps. He relies on his mother to watch his father’s estate and protect it from the suitors. In Book 1, when Athena talked to Telemachus about his father’s whereabouts, she said to Telemachus, “Yet I tell you great Odysseus is not dead. He’s still alive, somewhere in this wide world, held captive” (pg. 83). From this point on in the book, Telemachus became inspired to find his father, and realize this could be true and that the only way for him to see his father again is to look long and hard. Athena helped put the whole situation in perspective for Telemachus just by talking to him. His whole incentive came from Athena’s motivational comment that his father could be alive. She helps to set the whole journey up for him, by helping get the ship and the crew. In the end, everyone praised Telemachus for his bravery on setting out for the journey to find his lost father. Over the course of the journey, Telemachus gained more and more confidence and began to fill his father’s shoes. In Book 3, Telemachus spoke to Nestor, Nestor is the King of Pylos and is an elder of high authority and because of that he comes across as intimidating. But Telemachus gained the strength to talk to him about his father’s whereabouts, and even though Nestor did not know, the thing that counts is that he had the audacity to speak to King Nestor. Throughout the course of the book so far, Telemachus is a dynamic character who changes from being “young and powerless” to being still young but also becoming brave and gaining experience. Overall the experience Telemachus gains from the journey helps him become a more outgoing and productive person.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the novel, Telemachus is described as a weak, young, mourning son. However, after an inspiring talk with Athena disguised as a friend of Odysseus, Telemachus finds leadership inside himself. The reason why Telemachus is so upset is because he thinks Odysseus is dead, so Athena knows just how to inspire him. Athena states, “I’ll make you a prophecy, one the immortal gods planted in my mind--- it will come true……He won’t be gone from the native land he loves, not even if iron shackles bind your father down. He plotting a way to journey home at last; he’s never at a loss” (84). Telemachus realizes that waiting for Odysseus to come will do nothing but make him sadder, and he knows that he needs to restore Ithaca’s honor. He declares revenge on all the suitors who tried to claim the kingdom of Ithaca, and this is when he truly finds his spirit inside himself. Telemachus states, “But I’ll cry out to the everlasting gods in hopes that Zeus will pay you back with a vengeance---all of you destroyed in my house while I go scot-free myself” (98). By Telemachus stating this, he shows everyone that he will not be a pushover anymore. This is a big deal because the suitors know that they have someone in their way to becoming the king of Ithaca. Going forward, Telemachus continues to become more confident, a stronger leader, and a bigger threat to all of the suitors that want to take Penelope’s hand in marriage.
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ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the epic, Telemachus starts as a young man. Though he is a prince, he does not act like it. A prince should want to be like his father, the king. Since the disappearance of Odysseus, there have been suitors attempting to claim his wife, Penelope. The goddess Athena, daughter of Zeus takes note of this and realizes that the suitors are something that Odysseus would never stand for. She tells Telemachus that his father is still alive. Athena then travels to meet Telemachus and to tell her what she thinks of the suitors. To Telemachus, Athena says, “If only that Odysseus sported with these suitors, a blood wedding, a quick death would take the lot! True, but all lies in the lap of the great gods, whether or not he’ll come and pay them back, here, in his own house” (1. 307-11). Shortly after, Athena says, “But you, I urge you, think how to drive these suitors from your halls” (1. 312-13). Athena is inspiring Telemachus to stand up to the suitors and take back power in his own home since his father, Odysseus, is not there to do it. After some thought, Telemachus goes to his mother and says, “I hold the reins of power in this house” (1. 414). Before Athena talks to him Telemachus was young prince who was being pushed around by suitors who were invading his home. Telemachus grows up when he realizes that since his father is gone, he must take control of the palace. After
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the Epic, Telemachus seems young and powerless; after he embarks on his journey, he starts to take on the role of a leader. At first, Telemachus is a shy timid boy living with his mother who is accompanied by many suitors on a daily basis. These suitors show very few manners while begging and pleading to become Penelope’s husband. Not only are they rude to Telemachus but also rude and arrogant to Penelope herself. Athena, Zeus’s daughter, comes to Telemachus’ house disguised as one of Odysseus’ friend and remarks, “Yet I tell you great Odysseus is not dead. He’s still alive, somewhere in this wide world, held captive, out at sea on a wave-washed island, and hard men, savages, somehow hold him back against his will” (Fagles 83-84). Telemachus realizes that it is useless to sit around and wait for his father’s return. Therefore he decides to take action upon himself to venture out and find his lost father. Athena tells Telemachus, “Fit out a ship with twenty oars, the best in sight, sail in quest of news of your long-lost father… First go down the Pylos, question old King Nestor, then cross over to Sparta, to red-haired Menelaus… if you hear your father’s alive and heading home, hard-pressed as you are brave out one more year. If you hear he’s dead, no longer among the living, then back you come to the native land you love…” (Fagles 86). King Nestor is a very intimidating person whom many people do not like to question or confront. Telemachus has to gain the confidence and bravery to go to him and ask questions about his long lost father. Thus beginning his epic adventure.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of The Odyssey, Telemachus is nothing but a cowardly child. He is uncultured, shy and never has felt the urge to explore the world and learn. Telemachus’ father has been missing for ten years, so it is up to Telemachus and his mother to care for the estate. It is in the very first book when Telemachus has an epiphany about life after the goddess Athena talks to him. Living with suitors who wrong his mother, and no drive to do something with his life, Telemachus listens closely to Athena. She says, “Yet I tell you great Odysseus is not dead. He’s still alive, somewhere in this wide world, held captive, out at sea” (Fagles 83). The news of his father still being alive brings him back to reality, but it is also vague enough information for him to have a desire to find his father. It is at this point in the novel where Telemachus begins to change. Right at the start of his quest, he begins to become more of a leader than the powerless child he was before. On his journey ahead he knows that he needs to take control of his own path in order to fill the shoes of his father. Although he had no desire to fill Odysseus’s shoes previously, now that there is hope for his return (which will fix his boring and dysfunctional family), Telemachus realizes the importance of stepping up his maturity. From book on and on Telemachus has encounters and thoughts that only fuel his needed drive.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of the book Telemachus is a humble, kind, giving boy. He always accepts the suitors and helps them. Until one day when Athena disguises herself as a mentor. Of course, Telemachus gives her a royal welcome just as he does to every suitor. Athena gives Telemachus many valuable life lessons. She tells him that he must get rid of all of the suitors. She gives him the realization that they are taking his life away and that he has done enough for these demanding people. Telemachus takes in what Athena has said to him. He realizes that he is much superior to these suitors. He uses his power and attempts to kick the suitors out. Athena’s advice was to kill the suitors however Telemachus did not believe this was necessary. Telemachus will not give up his fight until every suitor is out of his town. When Telemachus begins the journey to find his father Athena is still advising him on how to act and what to say. It takes Telemachus a lengthy time to learn to be an independent strong man. However, by the end of the journey Telemachus grows to be an extraordinary individual. Telemachus would not have gained these skills if Athena had not guided him each step along the way. Telemachus has changed for the better. The way Telemachus has matured is clearly shown when he says “As for giving orders, men will see to that, but I most of all: I hold the reins of power in this house” (89). Before Athena showed up Telemachus would never have the nerve to speak to anyone this way. He would not even believe that he held all the power. However, now that Athena has given him the realization that he is the ruler he feels much superior to everyone.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of the book Telemachus is a humble, kind, giving boy. He always accepts the suitors and helps them. Until one day when Athena disguises herself as a mentor. Of course, Telemachus gives her a royal welcome just as he does to every suitor. Athena gives Telemachus many valuable life lessons. She tells him that he must get rid of all of the suitors. She gives him the realization that they are taking his life away and that he has done enough for these demanding people. Telemachus takes in what Athena has said to him. He realizes that he is much superior to these suitors. He uses his power and attempts to kick the suitors out. Athena’s advice was to kill the suitors however Telemachus did not believe this was necessary. Telemachus will not give up his fight until every suitor is out of his town. When Telemachus begins the journey to find his father Athena is still advising him on how to act and what to say. It takes Telemachus a lengthy time to learn to be an independent strong man. However, by the end of the journey Telemachus grows to be an extraordinary individual. Telemachus would not have gained these skills if Athena had not guided him each step along the way. Telemachus has changed for the better. The way Telemachus has matured is clearly shown when he says “As for giving orders, men will see to that, but I most of all: I hold the reins of power in this house” (89). Before Athena showed up Telemachus would never have the nerve to speak to anyone this way. He would not even believe that he held all the power. However, now that Athena has given him the realization that he is the ruler he feels much superior to everyone.
ReplyDeleteTelemachus changes immensely over the course of the beginning of the book. He starts off as a reluctant/shy boy and slowly grows in to a confident/strong man. At the beginning of the book Telemachus is seen as just a boy who doesn’t know where his father is and is living with a bunch of suiters who are very disruptive to his family, and he’s doing nothing about it. In the Odyssey, Telemachus can be perceived as a quiet boy where it says, “And young Telemachus cautiously replied, ‘I’ll try, my friend, to give you a frank answer. Mother has always told me I’m his son, it’s true, but I am not so certain. Who, on his own, has ever really know who gave him life? Would to god I’d been the son of a happy man whom old age overtook in the midst of his possessions! Now think of the most unlucky mortal born- since you ask me, yes, they say I am his son.’”(Fagles 84). This evidence is showing that Telemachus cares about his father and he wants to know about him but he is not confident enough to go looking for his father. Soon later, in the book Telemachus is pushed by Athena to go on a journey to find his father and bring relief to his mom so she doesn’t have to marry one of the suiters. Telemachus can be seen building his confidence where it says, “For you, I have some good advice, if only you will accept it. Fit out a ship with twenty oars, the best in sight, sail in quest of news of your long-lost father. Someone may tell you something or you may catch a rumor straight from Zeus, rumor that carries news to men like nothing else….Now, if you hear your father’s alive and heading home, hard-pressed as you are brave out one more year. If you hear he’s dead, no longer among the living, then back you come to the native land you love…” (Fagles 86). This quote is showing that Telemachus took Athena’s advice and stayed strong through the journey he was about to take on. Going on this journey definitely taught Telemachus you can’t wait around for things to happen you have to take action immediately when you know something is wrong.
ReplyDeleteIn the begging of the book, Telemachus lacked a sense of responsibility and power within his own home. A man of the house is the most important role in manhood. Without Odysseus, Telemachus is being treated like a boy and not the man he was raised to be. The suitors walk around with a pride that is not rightfully theirs. The instant Athena came to speak to Telemachus and knock some sense into him about who the real men of the house is, it was at that very moment that Telemachus knew he was stronger than this and could do more than watching his mother, and himself suffer. Along with dignity and pride, Athena gave Telmachus the crazy idea to search for his long lost father. Without question, Telemachus was on board. With Athenas boost of confidence she tells Telemachus, "... I urge you, think how to drive these suitors from your halls. Come now, listen closely. Take my words to heart. Summon the Islands lords to full assembly, give your orders to all and call the gods to witness: tell the suitors to scatter, each to his own place. As for your mother, If the spirit moves her to marry, let her go back to her father's house (Fagles, 86)." With Athena's wise words, it inspired Telemachus to stand up for himself and take control of what's his and set forth to find his father. All the long weary days were over for Telemachus, for he had a destiny to find his father and cure his mother’s broken heart.
ReplyDeleteTelemachus grows up when he goes on a journey to find out what happened to his father. When he goes on this trip, it is brought to his attention that he is the man of his household, but he is acting like a boy. He is twenty years old and he is letting his mother’s suitors infiltrate his household and help his mother cheat on his father. Athena says to him, “Reach down deep in your heart and soul for a way to kill these suitors in your house, by stealth or in open combat. You must not cling to your boyhood any longer-its time you were a man. Haven’t you heard what glory Prince Orestes won throughout the world when he killed the cunning, murderous Aegishus, who’d killed his famous father?” Here Athena literally tells him not to be a boy any longer, and that its time he becomes to man. To do this he needs to kill his mother’s suitors because they are disrespecting him, his mother, his father, and his household. Also, she shows clear evidence of how a prince named Orestes, who was in the exact same situation, became a man and shed his boyhood. Orestes’ father, Agamemnon, was another warrior who struggled to get home from the Trojan War. His mother’s suitor, Aegisthus, killed Agamemnon when he got home. Consequently, Orestes killed Aegisthus to avenge his father, gain his manhood, and shed his boyhood. Athena implies that Telemachus should do exactly that.
ReplyDeleteIn the initial chapters of The Odyssey, Prince Telemachus’ life as a young man quickly became the center of the epic, telling the reader of his journey as he developed from a weak, incapable child to a man with confidence and greatness, much like his father. Originally, he demonstrated traits similar to cowardice; he didn’t confront the suitors that mistreated Penelope, his mother and wife of Odysseus. The suitors were rude, had no manners, and were even rude to Penelope herself. Contemplating Telemachus’ cowardice and resistance to assertion, the author writes, “[Telemachus] could almost see his magnificent father here… in the mind’s eye― if only he might drop down from the clouds and drive these suitors al in a rout throughout the halls and regain his pride of place and rule his own domains!” (Fagles 81). This is evidence of Telemachus’ struggle to be independent; he was constantly depending on his father to represent him. This passive nature drove Athena, goddess of war strategy and daughter of Zeus, to adopt the form of Mentes, a stranger to Telemachus and an old friend of his father. She advised him to bring the suitors together to tell them that they are “no longer welcome” (she actually advises Telemachus to kill them, but he believes this isn’t necessary). Telling him that his father is alive, Athena also gives Telemachus the realization that it’s time to be courageous, that it’s time for him to pursue maturity and take his fate into his own hands.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of this novel, Telemachus is basically a toddler. Yes, he is old enough to be considered a man, but age is not the only factor of adulthood. Telemachus has been pampered and spoiled his entire life; he’s never had to struggle or fight or even try to get anything that he wants. He doesn’t know how to be independent, how to provide for himself. Nobody can take him seriously because he has never had to be serious. When the story first starts, his house is filled with his mother’s suitors. He wishes for them to be gone, yet he does nothing about it. Yet when Athena (disguised as Pallas) comes to talk to him, he hears about his father. He has always wanted to meet his father, and he would definitely like for him to come home. “Prince Telemachus…could almost see his magnificent father, here…if only he might drop from the clouds and drive these suitors…regain his pride of palace and rule his own domains” (Homer 81). Athena explains to Telemachus that he is the only one who can drive these suitors away. He alone must undergo the transformation -- the journey -- that will bring him into adulthood and to his father. Over the course of this journey, he finds the courage within himself to speak in front of all of these suitors; to challenge them, and make them understand that he is the one in charge. He must bring together a crew and take dangerous routes. Over the course of this journey, he must become a man; in order to either find his father, or fulfill his father’s destiny on his own.
ReplyDeleteEven though Telemachus started out being portrayed as weak, he gets braver as the book goes on. He is constantly compared to how great his father is and has never lived up to what Odysseus has accomplished. Kings, gods, and even his mother constantly remind him of what his father accomplished and Telemachus has never quite lived up to the expectations set by Odysseus. However, when suitors come and try to wow his mother and disrupt his life, he comes into his own and becomes more of what his father was. This bothers Telemachus because he is the man of the house and doesn’t want to feel trampled by the suitors coming for his mother. Athena motivates Telemachus to stand up to the suitors by telling him, “…I urge you, think how to drive these suitors from your halls… summon the island lords to full assembly, give your orders to all and call the gods to witness; tell the suitors to scatter, each to his own place” (Homer 86). He then goes on to call a meeting with all the suitors and tells them that they need to stop loitering in his palace and not bother them anymore. He then takes on a journey to find his father as requested to by the gods which is a brave task in and of itself. As Telemachus sets off on his journey, he gets braver in other senses such as being able to speak for himself and fight for his rights.
ReplyDeleteSince Odysseus left Ithaca when Telemachus was merely an infant, he doesn’t really have a fatherly figure to serve as a role model. As a result Telemachus grows up to be somebody who doesn’t know how to stand up for what he wants. The suitors ravaging his home are taking advantage of absence of Odysseus and the weak will of Telemachus. Even as they stay at his home and attempt to court his mother, Telemachus doesn’t have the courage to tell them to leave. At this point of the book, he is a rather pessimistic character who only knows to pity himself. It is not until Athena travels to Ithaca and gives Telemachus hope to see his father again that he begins to take charge of his household. The goddess tells Telemachus “You must not cling to your boyhood any longer— it’s time you were a man” (1.341-342). After Athena leaves and gives him a plan to find Odysseus, he begins to change. First, he orders his mother to have courage against her grief for his father and explicitly states that he has the power of the house. Then in a state of fury Telemachus commands the suitors to leave his house, which leaves them in surprise. After a few days, he sets out on his journey to find Odysseus and commands a crew of men, once again asserting his power. Telemachus begins to mature into a courageous, young prince who no longer shies away from conflict after Athena teaches him the responsibilities of a ruler and gives him newfound hope to find Odysseus.
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