The Growth Of Telemachus In Homer's Odyssey

As they grow older, most everybody also grows more mature and experienced in the world. Some people are aided in their journeys by people who have already have experience in the world. During the first four books of The Odyssey, by Homer, Telemachus grows more mature, stimulated by what he learns from Nestor and Menelaus, from Athena, and about himself. Athena has made it her mission to inspire Telemachus with bravery and courage, so that he can grow up to be a man. Initially, Telemachus is shy and timid, unable to stand up to those above him. In an effort to make Telemachus rise above his tormentors, Athena says, “Oh how much you need Odysseus, gone so long—how he’d lay hands on all these brazen suitors!...if only that Odysseus sported
with these suitors (Homer 1.85-86). Knowing how brave Telemachus’ father Odysseus is, Athena challenges him to be brave, to work to be like Odysseus. She is trying to help him along his journey, helping him take the next step. Having courage is only one step of the journey, however. In order to fully mature one must also go out into the world, gain experience, and learn to deal with others. Athena encourages to go out into the world so that he can gain this experience grow even more mature. Entering the room to make his first speech to the people, to stand up for himself, “Athena lavished a marvelous splendor on [Telemachus] so the people all gazed in wonder as he came forward” (2.93). Athena is making Telemachus look much more impressive, so that the people will listen to him and see him as more powerful. By looking the part, and also seeing his influence, Telemachus himself would gain more confidence in himself. Athena has stimulated these changes within Telemachus by direct godly influence, by challenging him to become greater, braver, more like his father, and giving him confidence. Nestor and Menelaus, two men who have fought his Odysseus and know him well, help Telemachus along his journey by further encouraging him to be brave and by telling him about his father. Nestor concludes his story to Telemachus by telling him, “And you, me friend—how tall and handsome I see you now---be brave, you too, so men will come to sing your praise down the years” (3.113). Nestor first starts out complimenting Telemachus, so that he will become more confident in himself. He then challenges Telemachus to be brave, and to be powerful. Nestor is trying to encourage Telemachus to become the man that his father was. But Telemachus hardly knows who his father was or what he was like. He does not even know if he is alive. During Menelaus’ story of Odysseus, he adds, “Odysseus…I saw him once on an island, weeping live warm tears in the nymph Calypso’s house…he has no way to voyage home to his own native land” (4.142). Mostly Telemachus was shy and scared because he had no father to raise him, teach him to be brave. All this life he has been plagued with grief for the father he never knew. But when Menelaus tells Telemachus about how great his father was, and even where he is and why he hasn’t returned, he relieves much of that grief. By doing this, he is filling Telemachus with confidence and happiness, and the will to continue fighting. Nestor and Menelaus teach Telemachus much about his father and his greatness, and by doing so embolden Telemachus to continue on his journey of maturation as he becomes the man his father was. Telemachus learns much about himself over the course of this journey, which help him to continue on.
The most important lessons one learns always come from within, so each of Telemachus’ discoveries has all the bigger impact on him. As he takes his stand against the suitors, “Odysseus’s son rejoiced; the boy could sit no longer---fired up to speak, he took his stand among the men” (1.98). As he takes the stand, he realizes that he really does have the ability to be brave. The first time doing something is always the hardest, and knowing that it is possible always helps. So after this speech, Telemachus discovers courage within himself, and this is one of the most important things he learns about himself. The second thing Telemachus learns about himself is told to him by another, who tells him, “Dear boy—never fear you’ll be a coward or defenseless, not if at your age the gods will guard you so” (3.119). Telemachus learns that he is under the protection of the gods; therefore he is of utmost importance. IN addition he learns that he has courage built within him by the gods. Furthermore, he learns that he can never be truly alone or helpless. With knowledge of security comes confidence, and knowing that he is worthy of the gods protection also helps him. Now that Telemachus feels safe he can continue to grow and mature as the story goes on. Inside and outside himself, Telemachus discovers courage on confidence which push him along on his
journey. Over the course of the Telemacheia, Telemachus is pushed and encouraged by others to become more mature, to become a man. Many people will similarly have mentors to help them along their own path. Regardless, everybody will grow mature and experienced as the grow older.