Telemachus' Growth

Telemachus's Growth

In the beginning of the Odyssey, Homer characterizes Telemachus as shy and insecure. The suitors constantly walk all over him, and he never stands up for himself. Telemachus believes the suitors will "grind (him) down as well" (Book 1: 293) He acts like a ''momma's boy'' and does not even believe that Odysseus is his father. After being inspired by Athena disguised as Mentes, Telemachus realizes he needs to grow up and take on the responsibility of finding news of his father in order to protect his kingdom. When Telemachus returns from the journey, he has transformed to a new person. He finally begins to act like a man. Although some of the changes were good, some things changed him for the worse. Unlike in the beginning of the book, he is disrespectful towards his mother and thinks he knows everything. When Penelope is actually showing her cunning, Telemachus believes she is being evil and says "cruel mother with your hard heart!" (Book 23: 112). He finally gets the courage to stand up to the suitors and kill them one-by-one. He becomes bold when he takes upon all of the suitors, only having his father and two other men on their side. Now, instead of being the shy, insecure, ''momma's boy'', Telemachus changes to a confident, clever, ''daddy's little man''.

-Amy Drews and Madison Frandina