Odyssey - Telemachos Analysis

A detailed Summary of Odyssey - Telemachos Analysis

"To thine own self be true," is a famous Shakespearean quote, and one the character Telemachos in The Odyssey had to struggle to learn to appreciate. He is first introduced to the reader as being meek and passive, feeling as if defending his family against the suitors is a hopeless effort. With the interference of Athena, he begins to have faith in both himself and his father, returning after years abroad to reclaim the Ithacan throne. By the riveting conclusion of the book, Telemachos has proven himself to be an admirable and brave young man.

When this epic begins, Telemachos and his mother Penelope's home is being overridden by her suitors. Having grown up in a fatherless environment, Telemachos has not yet learned how to stand up for himself and is pessimistic about his father's return. As he talks to Athena, in the disguise of Mentes in Book I, she says this of his attitude, "The gods decreed no lack of honor in this generation: such is the son Penelope bore in you. But tell me now, and make this clear to me: what gathering, what feast is this? Why here? A wedding? Revel? At the expense of it all? Not that, I think. How arrogant they seem, these gluttons, making free here in your house! A sensible man would blush to be amon

As the story comes to a close, Telemachos has proven himself and his merits worthy of praise and respect. In Book XXII, Medon, the estate's herald, begs for mercy at Telemachos's knees, begging, "Here I am, dear prince; but rest your spear! Tell your great father not to see in me a suitor for the sword's edge-one of those who laughed at you and ruined his property!" Hugging the knees of a superior was a symbol of respect in Homeric times and by pleading to Telemachos, Medon shows that he is worthy of dealing out mercy at his liking and that his judgement was needed before Odysseus's. Another passage that proves Telemachos's manhood and his father's trust and praise is found in Book XXIV when they get ready to face off against the suitors' fathers. Says Odysseus to his son, "Telemachos, you are going into battle against pikemen where hearts of men are tried. I count on you to bring no shame upon your forefathers. In fighting power we have excelled this lot in every generation." Odysseus shows that he is proud of his son and has faith in his fighting skills, bravery, and virtues. He assures his son that he will uphold the family name and keep it revered after his passing, therefore recognizing him as a clear-headed and thoughtful young man.

Telemachos's journey through self-discovery allowed him to gain self-confidence and the respect of his father and peers. He learned to be open-minded and more brazen and refused to let others walk over him. Many people go through

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Approximate Word count = 995
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels