Telemachus Character Analysis

Throughout novel, The Odyssey by Homer, Telemachus, son of the main character, Odysseus, goes through significant phases that changes his life forever. Right from the beginning, Telemachus was in a situation that he couldn't rid himself out of. He was basically a depressed boy with a “heart obsessed with grief”(Homer 81) who couldn't man up because of having a missing father or any men to look up to, and also having to face the worst guests, men trying to take his mother, throw him away, make him feel weak, and take over the palace. “'He's left me tears and grief. Nor do I rack my heart and grieve for him alone. No Longer. Now the gods have invented other miseries to plague me'” (Homer 85).
From the beginning of the story, he was pretty much giving up on life, not even trying to gain hope for his father to come back.“'But now, no use, he's died a wretched death. No comfort's left for us... not even if someone, somewhere, say's he is coming home'” (Homer 83). He was in midst of identity crisis because through his whole life, he has never seen or communicated with his father. “'Mother has always told me I'm his son, it's true, but I am not so certain. Who, on his own, has ever really known who gave him life?'” (Homer 84). This uncertainty and emptiness pretty much messed with his self-esteem. For example, “But for himself he drew up a low reclining chair beside her, richly painted, clear of the press of suitors” (Homer 81). Sitting in that chair showed how much afraid he was to stand up to the suitors, which made the suitors take advantage of him even more.
During Athena's first visit, Telemachus was not courageous enough to say what he wanted to say to the suitors. “Spoke low to his guest so no one else could hear: 'Dear strange...

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...ks, the distaff and the loom, and keep the women working hard as well.. I hold the reins of power in this house'” (Homer 89). With a shock, his mother followed his order and this shocked some suitors as well. “Discreet Telemachus took command: ' You suitors who plague my mother, you, you insolent, overweening... You must leave my palace! But if you decide fare is better... carve away'” (Homer 89). He still hasn't quite won yet because he wasn't able to actually throw them out by himself, so the suitors still look down on him. However, a huge change was shown through Telemachus. He actually gained the courage to say something, which is a really good sign. After he said something, he finally took action to go look for his father himself. Without a doubt, Athena's visit was the element that allowed Telemachus begin doing something about his life and make some changes.