Telemachus Change In The Odyssey

Telemachia Essay

Through the influence of others a person can change and grow during their lifetime. In the epic poem, The Odyssey, Homer tells the changes that Telemachus, son of Odysseus, undergoes throughout the beginning of the poem. Telemachus transforms from a timid boy into a strong and confident man due to the help of Athena and the two kings by providing him with the support he needs.

Initially, Telemachus is introduced as an insecure person is unable to neither stand up for himself, nor take responsibility of being a king. His father, Odysseus, is being held captive by Calypso and Athena creates a plan to have him rescued. She explains her plan to Zeus: “While I myself go down to Ithaca, rouse his son to a braver pitch, inspire

his with courage to summon the flowing-haired Achaeans to full assembly, speak his mind to all those suitors” (Homer 1.104-107). Athena recognizes that Telemachus is not ready to receive information about his father, or even to take responsibility as the person to rescue him.

The fact that he gets help from her, is a goddess will give him the feeling that he is special. Before

Athena intervenes with Telemachus, she understands that he is aloof and unable to take charge of anything, especially over the suitors who are taking advantage of him. When she disguises herself as Mentes, a friend of Telemachus’ family, and visits his house the first thing she sees is, “First by far to see her was Prince Telemachus, sitting among the suitors, heart obsessed with grief” (1.132, 133). Telemachus is so distracted with grieving over his father, who he believes to be dead, that he is unable to stand up against the suitors. Even though most of the people believe Odysseus is dead, Telemachus is still referred to as a prince instead of a king. Telemachus is also still viewed as a prince since he is too distraught, and his lack of bravery, to take charge. At first, Telemachus is introduced as a character with a lack of confidence, and the inability to take charge in his own house.
Due to the lack of confidence in Telemachus, the goddess Athena becomes his guide to becoming a braver man. After Athena/ Mentes explains the plan to receive information about where Odysseus is to Telemachus, he returns to his mother’s, Penelope, chamber. A suitor is playing a slow song that reminds Penelope about Troy, the last place that they know Odysseus was, and she orders him to stop singing. Telemachus then exclaims to his mother, “‘Why, mother,’ poised Telemachus put in sharply, “why deny our devoted bard the chance to entertain us any way the spirit stirs on?’” (1.396-399). Telemachus explains to his mother that the suitor is not to blame; he is just following orders. There is a change in the way that Telemachus speaks to his mother; he is starting to muster up the courage to speak up for himself. With the help of Athena, Telemachus starts to become braver and is viewed as a person with great courage. It is the morning of a meeting that Telemachus has called between all of the Achaeans. “Telemachus strode in too, a bronze spear in his grip and not alone: two sleek hounds went trotting at his heels. And Athena lavished a marvelous splendor on the prince so that people all gazed as he came forward” (2.10-13). The spear and hounds that surround Telemachus serve as a symbol of power and significance. Athena gives Telemachus an aura that causes him to seem more powerful to those around him. With the new attitude that Telemachus has towards himself, others are starting to take notice of the change in self-confidence. Since Telemachus When Athena realizes that she must inspire Telemachus to become more self-confident, she decides to become his aid in his journey.
While Telemachus interacts with King Nestor and King Menelaus, he appears as an courageous figure.

Towards the end of his visit with King Nestor, Telemachus is advised to visit King Menelaus in Sparta. Athena/ Mentes then makes up an excuse not to follow Telemachus to Sparta. As she is starting to leave, she transforms into an eagle revealing her true identity as a goddess. King Nestor exclaims to Telemachus, “Dear boy—never fear you’ll be a coward or defenseless not if at your age the gods will guard you so” (3.420, 421). King Nestor explains to Telemachus that he has the gods on his side, so he should not fear anything. He tells Telemachus that he will get what he wants, information about his father, since the almighty gods favor him. From one king to the next, Telemachus is given a chance to reveal his recent change in attitude. After visiting King Nestor, Telemachus arrives in Sparta ready to speak with King Menelaus. Telemachus reveals to him that he has come to receive news of Odysseus: “Don’t soften a thing, from pity, respect for me […] tell me the truth” (4.365, 370). Telemachus has hit the top level of maturity since he is prepared to hear the truth about Odysseus. He used to be so distraught that he was unable to do anything and now he has transformed into a brave man who is speaking up for himself to a king. Telemachus would have never been able to feel comfortable asking about his father, if it were not for Athena or the kings. After conversing with kings

Nestor and Menelaus, Telemachus is viewed as a person full of confidence.