Prince Telemachus Grief

In the beginning of The Odyssey, Prince Telemachus was filled with grief and hoped to know what happened to his long-lost father, Odysseus. In my opinion, Prince Telemachus was just a boy before he met Athena. He was very doubtful and a bit of a coward, if you ask me. Penelope, his mother, has a lot of suitors. The suitors were taking advantage of their food and wine in their home. Yet Prince Telemachus does not kick them out or tell them how he really feels about the situation. Instead, he just daydreams.

First by far to see her was Prince Telemachus,

sitting among the suitors, heart obsessed with grief.

He could almost see his magnificent father, here ...

in the mind’s eye—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!

Daydreaming so as he sat among the suitors, (1.132-9)

I think that the goddess, Athena, helped Prince Telemachus become a man.

When they first met, she disguised and introduced herself as Mentis. She talked to him about how he very much resembled his father, and Prince Telemachus replies were careful and unsure.

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 known who gave him life? (1.248-51)

I believe that he only said lines 1.250-51 because he never grew up

Then, Athena used her gift of wisdom and gave a motivating advice to Prince Telemachus. There, Prince Telemachus started to build courage in aiming to search for his long-lost father and finally stood up to his mother’s suitors. Throughout his journey in search for his father, he was very brave and was treated with respect especially in whichever place he goes to. He had transformed from a weakling into a brave leader just like his

father.

I believe that the reason Prince Telemachus was very doubtful and lacks courage is because he never really grew up with a father figure. His mother was not really much of a good role model either because took place in the old age where gender roles were strictly implied (women are weak and submissive, whereas men are strong and dominant). When Athena advised and helped out Prince Telemachus, she helped him uncover the bravery he has inside him. In my opinion, a motivational speech or advice would help boost up a person’s self-esteem and lower their insecurities. Especially if it came from someone who truly believes in your ability. I think he just needed a confidence boost from someone because he did not really have it at first.