Character Analysis Of Prince Telemachus

The Odyssey was a great story with so many interesting characters and it was hard narrowing it down to just one character. The character that stood out the most to me is Prince Telemachus because of his ways. Telemachus, one of the major characters from the Odyssey, stays the same throughout most of the story by being timid and spineless, but he also grows and becomes courageous after meeting his father. His father has had a lot of impact on his life in just that little time they shared together because Telemachus matured from a boy to a man.

Without his father being in his life Telemachus was scared to do pretty much anything that involves an altercation. For example, “He could almost see his magnificent father, here . . . in the mind’s eye

For instance, “Three times he made it shudder, straining to bend it, three times his power flagged --- but his hopes ran high he’d string his father’s bow and shoot for the fourth time, he would have strung the bow, but Odysseus shook his head and stopped him despite his tensing zeal” (Book 21, Lines 143-148). He is weak and his father cannot take it that his son is not strong like him. “God help me,” the inspired prince cried out, “must I be a weakling, a failure all my life” (Book 21, Lines 149-150)? Telemachus felt that he did not want to be weak anymore, but he wants to be strong enough to prove people wrong especially his father wrong and eventually he

“He’s journeyed to Lacedaemon’s rolling hills to Menelaus, searching for news of you, hoping to learn if you are still alive” (Book 13, Lines 471- 473). This made Telemachus brave because he is on a quest to search for his father because he did not want to believe the rumors about that his father could be dead. “But we’re behind you, hearts intent on battle, nor do I think you’ll find us short on courage, long as our strength will last” (Book 23, Lines 143-145). This means that Telemachus is ready to battle side by side with his father. This is when he matured because at first he did not want to battle or speak up for himself. He was saying to his father; he will battle as long he got strength in his body to do so. Now this is the time that he would live up to his father reputation and exceed. “But Telemachus – too quick – stabbed the man from behind, plunging his bronze spear between the suitor’s shoulders and straight on through his chest the point came jutting out – down he went with a thud, his forehead slammed the ground” (Book 22, Lines 97-100).

Telemachus matured so much throughout the story that he caught my attention. It was hard choosing him because there was so many captivating personalities that I could have picked. Reading “The Odyssey” and finding out Telemachus was scary, defenseless, and brave would shock anyone because you would think he have traits from