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?
Throughout the first four books of The Odyssey¸ Telemachus’ transition into manhood is notably accelerated due to the absence of his father. An infestation of tumultuous suitors and the absence of a patriarchal figure in his home lead to a chaotic scene in which Telemachus must shift his demeanor to resemble the powerful and leading manner of a man. Athena, disguised as Mentes, partially stimulates Telemachus’ transition into manhood in voicing to him that he “must not cling to your [his] boyhood any longer” (1.342) and that “it’s time you [he] were [was] a man” (1.343). Subsequent to this incident, Telemachus’ character and overall behavior shifts into that of a powerful leader, similar to the character and behavior of his father. He for the first time displays such behavior when he orders his mother to allow him to handle the situation of the crowding suitors by himself, asserting, “I hold the reins of power in this house” (1.414). He follows up by further proclaiming his power in ordering the irksome suitors to “leave my [his] palace!” (1.430). Soon after, Athena stimulates further change in the character of Odysseus with bringing up the “glory Prince Orestes won throughout the world / when he killed that cunning, murderous Ageisthus, / who’d killed his famous father” (1.343-346). By defining a true man as one who avenges his father’s death, Athena indirectly hints to Telemachus to set out to discover the whereabouts of his father; ultimately shifting his character into that of a man.
ReplyDeleteThe pressure for a boy to become a man is an important growing experience that changes who they are. Telemachus, son of the famous Odysseus, is treated like a pushover, and he has no control over his own life. He is just a fatherless boy, seeking for something more in life. When the news that his father could still be alive he seizes his opportunity to gain respect and step across the border into manhood. Being a minor has less pressure and expectations then being a man. An innocent boy isn’t expected to make life altering decisions, there is less pressure, but for an adult every decision is critical. When Telemachus accepted Athena’s mission, he started to breakout of boyhood and is starting to make decisions for himself. The change occurred when Telemachus became the man of the house.
ReplyDelete“So mother,
go back to you quarters. Tend to your own tasks,
and distaff the loom, and keep the women
working hard as well. As for giving orders
men will see to that, but I must of all:
I hold the reins of power in this house.”
This quote signifies Telemachus’ first step into manhood, but the journey has only just begun. Leading a crew to journey to distant lands shows his gained respect and pressure that a child could not handle. Although Telemachus hasn’t fully grown up, he has taken his first step to prove himself that he is capable of making his own decisions, which is the responsibility of growing up.
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ReplyDeleteIn Book I of the Odyssey, Telemachus matures rapidly because he has to take the place of his absent father, Odysseus, as the man of the household. Early on, Telemachus is a young man who has no authority over his own life. At the beginning of the epic, Telemachus explains to Athena how the suitors are striking their palace with grief, “’Soon—you wait—they’ll grind me down as well”’ (1. 293). Telemachus is distraught because the suitors are destroying his mother’s life, and they are going to destroy his as well. Telemachus acts like he is incapable and naïve in this quotation. After the goddess, Athena, assures Telemachus that he is capable of vanquishing the suitors from his home, he finally asserts his dominance. Telemachus declares his plan to overthrow the suitors:
ReplyDeleteBut at first light we all march forth to assembly, take our seats so I can give my orders and say to you straight out: You must leave my palace! See to your feasting elsewhere, devour your own possessions, house to house by turns (1. 427-430).
This is the first instance where Telemachus demonstrates that he is the chief of the household. Athena is the sole individual that aids Telemachus in recognizing that he is now the commander of the household. Athena’s advice assists Telemachus throughout the other books in the epic as well. For instance, Telemachus takes Athena’s hint and embarks on a voyage to locate his missing father, Odysseus.
In The Odyssey, Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, develops from a child to a man similar to Odysseus. When the character of Telemachus is first introduced, he is “sitting around the suitors, heart obsessed with grief” (1.133). Telemachus is grieving because he is infuriated with Penelope’s suitors for consuming the entirety of the food that belongs to him and his mother and creating a mess within the palace. However, Telemachus avoids expressing his feelings to the suitors for an extensive period of time. Instead, Telemachus obsesses over the idea of his father and how Odysseus would respond to the problematic suitor situation. Telemachus’s infatuation with his father is evident when Athena first visits the palace and Telemachus is daydreaming:
ReplyDeleteHe 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 and place and rule his own domains! (1.134-7)
Telemachus thinks of Odysseus in a bold and heroic way, which proves that Telemachus considers his father a role model. It is clear the Telemachus wishes to be like his father, yet, he fails to action within his household. Telemachus is submissive--which gives him a child-like title--because he does not act authoritatively or follow a fatherly example, but instead remains a victim of his mother’s actions. Following the visitation of Athena, Telemachus becomes “charged with his father’s memory more than ever,” (1.370) and asserts his power within the palace by saying, “I hold the reins of power in this house” (1.414). By showing authority, Telemachus begins to mature and show Odysseus-like qualities. Telemachus continues on the path of adulthood by forcing the suitors out of the palace, saying, “You must leave my palace!” (1.430). Additionally, Telemachus matures further, and grieves in the same way as Odysseus. After the story about Odysseus that Menelaus tells, Telemachus breaks down in tears. Immediately, Helen recognizes Telemachus as Odysseus’s son because their faces resemble one another as they grieve. (4.158-59) As Telemachus continues on his journey, his maturity only increases.
Telemachus is passive and has no motive in life at the beginning of the epic, later changing into an adult realizing that he has a duty to find his fathers’ whereabouts. At the start of the epic Telemachus is portrayed as a fragile figure that allows suitors to use up all of his resources. He is waiting and dependent for his father to come and fix everything. An immortal named Athena disguises her-self and gives purpose to the son of Odysseus, “You must not cling to your boyhood any longer—it's time you were a man (1.341-342).” He takes her advice to heart and starts taking action. Penelope, Telemachus’ mother, had been the one in charge while Odysseus was away. Telemachus goes up to her and speaks up for himself, “Tend to your own tasks...I hold the reins of power in this house (1.410, 1.414).” He tells his mother that her place belongs with the loom. He takes his position as a man by telling his mother that it is his job to rule, something a woman should not do. Finally, Athena tells Telemachus that he must find information about his father, “For you I have some good advice…sail in quest of news for your long lost father (1.320-321, 323).” When Telemachus embarks on a journey to find his father is when he fully “transforms” into an adult. Telemachus experiences a major change: first starting out by acting like a child, transgressing into an “enlightenment stage” and finally becoming an adult.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of the Odyssey, Telemachus is portrayed as weak and passive. He is constantly being bullied by the suitors and is treated as nothing more than a boy. During one of these nights Telemachus is visited by Pallas Athena under the name of Mentor. She inspires him to embark on a journey to find news of his father. Telemachus matures under the guidance of Pallas Athena and eventually begins to assimilate into his role of power. He starts by telling his mom to attend to her duties,
ReplyDelete“So mother, go back to your quarters. Tend to your own tasks, the distaff and the loom, and keep the women working hard as well. As for giving orders, men will see to that, but I most of all: I hold the reins of power in this house.” (1.410-416).
This shows how Telemachus is growing into his father’s role and is starting to become the ruler of Ithaca. As the epic continues Telemachus starts to develop into his father. This development starts because he is forced to abandon his boyhood and become a man. Since Telemachus had to sail away in search of his father he had to learn how to speak with grace and discretion to kings. He shows this when he uses tact when talking to Nestor, “Nestor, son of Neleus, Achea’s pride and glory—where are we from, you ask? I will tell you all.” (3.89-90). Telemachus uses his father’s intellect when greeting Nestor. This is shown by him complimenting Nestor during their introduction. This is the first major event when Telemachus shows he is developing into a man. This passage also shows how Telemachus really changed from the beginning of the epic when he was harassed by suitors.
Over the course of his journey, Telemachus gains courage, confidence and ambition due to his deep desire and responsibility to learn of and possibly find his father, along with his personal wishes to improve his own image. Prior to and at the beginning of Telemachus’ journey, he acts as a boy: weak and innocent, unsure of how to act. After Athena inspires him to take on the difficult challenge of finding his father, though, Telemachus acquires the motivation he needs to act with confidence, follow his ambitions and stand up for what is his. Upon confronting the suitors, “Telemachus took command: ‘You suitors/ who plague my mother, you, you insolent, overweening . . ./ for this evening let us dine and take our pleasure” (1.422- 1.424). Rather than continuing to let the suitors consume his food and inhabit his house, Telemachus gains the confidence and belief in what he knows is right, enough to stand up for himself. Upon beginning his journey, Telemachus is, “filled with heart, the heart Athena herself inspired,/ to ask for news about his father, gone so long,/ and make his name throughout the mortal world.” (3.84- 3.86). When Telemachus accepted the high task of traveling in search of his father, he gains his confidence and ambition out of necessity. Going to any length to find his father, even if it meant leaving his homeland, standing up to the suitors, or approaching powerful kings requires courage, confidence, and ambition, traits Telemachus was forced to develop if he wanted any chance of reuniting with his father. Athena not only inspires and encourages Telemachus to undertake this journey to find and help his father, but also to help himself by spreading his name “throughout the mortal world” (3.86). Telemachus’ confidence and strength were in part the result of his desire to improve his image in the eyes of his mother, the many suitors, and other powerful kings. Telemachus shows confidence and courage when he stands up to his mother and the suitors, both in an effort to assert his dominance and power and create an image of strength and confidence for the people around him. Because of his determination to know the fate of his father and strong desire for others to view him as strong and courageous, Telemachus changes from a weak, hesitant boy to a strong, confident, and ambitious man.
ReplyDeleteTelemachus starts the epic without knowing his potential power. Athena has to go to him in his palace and rouse him from his past life so that he can go to look for Odysseus. The first time Telemachus is introduced he is,
ReplyDelete“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…” (1. 33-36)
Telemachus spends all his days wishing away his problems, waiting for his father to come and solve them. When his father doesn’t come, Athena inspires him to take matters into his own hands. as soon as he realizes that he has to solve his own problems, he starts to take charge of both his situation and his life. Later in Book 1, Telemachus starts to assert his dominance as the man of the house. His mother comes down into the room with the suitors, and before her appearance causes any uprisings, Telemachus tells her to go back to her room and keep the women working, “as for giving orders/ men will see to that, but I most of all/ I will hold the reins of power in this house.” (1. 412-414). This is really the first passage that we see Telemachus start to realize his potential. Before this it is implied that he just allows these suitors who are after his mother to take hold of his house and his goods, and this is the first time he is really caring about it. He realizes that he can no longer let his mother continue tricking the suitors and stalling them, but he has to do something to get them out of his house. When Athena inspires him to find Odysseus so that he can help, Telemachus, against his mother’s will and behind her back, goes on this journey to save his kingdom, and on the journey he learns through the absence of leadership in his life, how to lead better.
Early in the Odyssey, it is apparent that fathers are meant to teach their sons how to grow up and become men. Whether it is King Nestor and his son, Pisistratus, or Menelaus and his son, Megapenthes, successful sons are raised in at least semi-stable homes with a father figure who shows them how to be an adult. However, Telemachus has an absent father, a home plagued with droves of suitors for his manipulative mother, and as a result he can accomplish nothing and allows other people to knock him around like a little boy. While he flounders for a bit, the arrival of Athena and her guidance really gave Telemachus’ the push he needed to finally take control of his life. She recognizes the troubling situation he is in regarding the suitors in his palace, but rather than just allowing Telemachus to accept it like he had in the past, she tells him that he, “must not cling [his] boyhood any longer” (1.342). By constantly pushing Telemachus, Athena provides all the lessons that Odysseus would have taught his son. As such, Telemachus quickly comes out of his shell and is able to stand up to the suitors, who had been causing numerous problems for him and his family, when he says to them, “take our seats so I can give my orders and say to you straight out: You must leave my palace” (1.427-30). This is a severe change in personality from before Athena’s arrival, as before she had come, Telemachus had simply allowed these suitors to lay waste to all of his family’s resources, but with her guidance, he is now able to take a stand and tell them to go. In the end, Telemachus, throughout the early books of the Odyssey, is beginning to transition from a boy into a man under the tutelage of his mentor, Athena, and this change can be directly attributed to her presence in his life. So, while he had a hard time growing up and learning how to stand up for himself, Telemachus quickly begins to turn it around with the help of Athena.
ReplyDeleteTime can take a toll on a person. When we first meet Telemachus, he seems to be a boy swallowed up in agony due to the suitors and the absence of his Father. Shortly thereafter, Telemachus switches into a role of prominence and begins to take charge of his own life. Who is it though that gives Telemachus the boost he needs to swiftly transfer into manhood if he was fatherless? It was the combined effect of time had awoken him from his trance and Athena of course who influenced him, springing him into action. When she sees Telemachus in the form of Mentes, she does not hesitate to say to him, “’But you, I urge you, /think how to drive these suitors from your halls/Come now, listen closely. Take my words to heart.’” (1.312-14). It seems that due to Odysseus’ absence, Telemachus never had any faith in himself, so all he has truly needed this whole time was a confidence boost, and a clear path of action to take instead of moping, which Athena provides. Athena simply bestows upon him some advice, and before long, Telemachus has a new self-worth, and refuses to cower to anyone any more. Immediately after Athena gave him the advice he feels enriched, “He felt his senses quicken, overwhelmed with wonder--/this was a god, he knew it well and made at once/for the suitors, a man like god himself.” (1.372-74). The mere fact that a god has taken interest in him is enough to launch him into a new beginning.
ReplyDeleteIn ancient Grecian culture and in many modern ones as well, the passage from boy to man is an important aspect of the society. The first time we meet Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, he is a young man filled with grief, hesitation, and fear. The first time we meet Telemachus he is described as “sitting among the suitors, heart obsessed with grief” (1.133) As young man missing a father he was not taught that as head of the house and as a man he is supposed to be strong and at all times, in command. He is also constantly bullied and abused by the suitors who have overrun his estate. However when he hears it prophesized that his father is still alive, Telemachus suddenly begins to step up into a leadership role. First he commands his mother to do her “womanly duties” and then prepares for his first sea quest, a notable event in any man’s life. Throughout the ensuing adventures, Telemachus finds that the great and powerful men and women he meets address him as a leader and a strong young man. This helps him realize that as a wealthy young man, he commands a lot of respect and power. In conclusion the time spent away from home, and the people he comes across influence Telemachus’ journey from boy to man.
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