Coming Of Age In The Odyssey

Although many characters show different themes from the epic poem The Odyssey by homer, Telemachus represents the theme of coming of age throughout the poem. He shows this theme several times in the book the odyssey. Some examples are from the beginning of the poem, while other examples are from the ending of the poem. An example of Telemachus’ coming of age is when he had helped Odysseus kill the suitors.

Journey to Maturity The Odyssey by Homer recognizes the importance of maturity throughout the epic poem, applied from Telemachus, as he grows from a weak, scared boy to a strong, responsible man who develops newly found skills, overcomes various obstacles, and reflects on his need to approach his problems as Homer showcases Telemachus as a prime example of maturation as he finds his father and fights alongside him to slay the suitors. Telemachus expresses maturation by achieving his goals, learning from his mistakes and experiences, taking risks, being strong, courageous, and confident, as well as enduring hardship to claim honor in the end. Telemachus trains to achieve his goal of finding his father. He matures with the help of many characters

In Book Two of the Odyssey, Telemachus demonstrates his increasing maturity by confronting the suitors, gaining respect from the elders, and preparing to look for Odysseus. Telemachus demonstrates maturity in Book Two of the Odyssey by confronting the suitors face on. By gathering the suitors together he can talk to them about what he wants to happen from now on. By confronting the suitors Telemachus gains maturity because he is taking a leadership role. He also is gaining maturity from confronting the suitors because he is facing his fears.

n The Odyssey, Odysseus deceiving people closest to him, including Eumaeus and Telemachus, shows how deception can easily fool others; even the ones that know you best. Due to the help from the Phaeacians, Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, has just returned home. With assistance from the goddess Athena, Odysseus turns into a beggar and goes to the swineherd Eumaeus to avoid the suitors at his palace. Eumaeus asks about his identity, and Odysseus tricks him by telling him that he is a man from Crete, who suffered many troubles in coming to Ithaca. Eventually, Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, comes back from Sparta and learns about the suitors’ plans to kill him.

In Book 3 of The Odyssey, Homer characterizes Telemachus as confident and authoritative, as demonstrated through his speech and physique, despite his initial self-uncertainty. In the process, Telemachus’ character transforms dramatically. At first, Telemachus was unconfident in his abilities to converse. He explicitly revealed this uncertainty to Athena as he states, “How can I greet him, Mentor, even approach the king? I’m hardly adept at subtle conversation” (Homer 108).

Athena helps Telemachus in many different ways, but mostly by helping him turn into a man and grow up because telemachus never had a man to teach him. when Athena disguised herself as a man named Mentes, son of Anchialus and captain of the seafaring Taphians, to inform Telemachus to not give up on his dad and believe that he is still out there in the world, she says “I have come because they say your father has returned, but now i see the gods have knocked him of course. He's not dead,though, not godlike Odysseus, no way in the world. No, he's alive alright.” -Athena, (Mentes) (209) this shows a thoughtful side to Athena because she wants to help Telemachus.

Odysseus, the great hero, does not make a physical appearance in the odyssey until the fifth book. The author may have done this for multiple reasons. One reason may have been to create such a suspense that keeps the readers interested in reading the book. Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, has been created into a smaller hero story, in the Odyssey, through how he encountered a journey to find his father. Sons of great heroes and gods were expected to take after their fathers, so Telemachus took on this journey as his father would have.

To my dearest Penelope, Every day and night for the past nine and a half years, I have had strong feelings for you, and I think it is time I have told you. You might have not realized it, but I love you and I want to marry you. I know you do not want to marry me because you believe that Odysseus is still alive, but I have 3 reasons why you should marry me. My first reason why you should marry me is because your husband, Odysseus mysteriously disappeared after fighting in the Trojan War. I overheard the conversation between your son, Telemachus, and the old sailor, Mentes, and they were talking about your husband.

Journeys always have a reasoning behind them, no matter if it is physical, mental or spiritual; they have a lesson learned from it. “The Odyssey” includes many great examples from the journey Odysseus went on. Going on a journey could be inspired by a goal to be reached, a state of mentality, or just to oneself or others. Primarily, characters or real people set off on a journey to feel a sense of accomplishment, or even to earn something. In “The Odyssey” Odysseus went on an expedition to fight in the Trojan War, but then it became a journey to return to his wife, son and Ithaca, his homeland.

Homer’s epic, “The Odyssey” includes many fascinating and intriguing characters that readers can become engaged upon. Although not entirely fascinating or in any way praised, Penelope’s suitors are characterized in a stupidly ignorant and egotistical manner. Upon Athena first encounters in Ithaca, she sees the suitors abusing xenia as the “Heralds poured water over their hands for rinsing, serving maids brought bread heaped high in trays and young men brimmed the mixing-bowls with wine” (171-173). The suitors are living luxuriously as if they are the true ruler of the house, who has lived there all their lives, due to the heralds’ obedience in “rinsing” their hands and their wine “brimmed” to their mixing-bowls. A very disorderly tone is surfaced in this image, due to the suitor’s presumptuous demeanor.