The Odyssey: Telemachus And His Development

The Odyssey was a great book in which many characters were brought out and developed. The most significant development that occured in the epic was the development of Telemachus. Telemachus is a very complex character that Homer develops from beginning to end. From the beginning when is a mere shadow of his father to near the end in which he is considered just as courageous. Many factors influence Telemachus as he matures into a man.

To begin with his name means 'Far from Battle'. This was given to him because he was born when the male generations of his parents were going off to the Trojan War. But the name proves to be ironic, for the epic ends with Telemachus taking part in two battles.

Not having any father figures as a child severely effects Telemachus. He becomes a timid, shy and spineless boy who is greatly pampered by his mother.

Mnêstêrophonía: slaughter of the suitors by Ody...

Pallas Athene Statue

Jean-Jacques Lagrenée - Helen Recognising Telemac...

He is not helped by being the son of a world-famous father- a difficult reputation to live up to. This lack of motivation and assertive behavior does not help Telemachus when the suitors start eating away at his estate. Telemachus knows what the suitors are doing is wrong but yet does not do anything about it. Telemachus foolishly hopes that his father will come and clean up the mess that the suitors are to blame for. Telemachus knows that his father would handle the situation with the suitors in a much more aggressive manner than he does. Odysseus would kill all of them for being treacherous beings, while Telemachus does nothing but whine. Telemachus says 'how his noble father might come back out of the blue, drive the suitors headlong from the house, and so regain his loyal honors, and reign over his own once more'(The Odyssey...