telemachus alters the course of the events in what ways?

by Ursula Russel II 9 min read

Some of the obstacles Telemachus puts in their way include convening an assembly, rebuking the suitors, and sailing in search of his father. In taking these actions, he matures and grows in self-confidence so that when Odysseus finally does return home, Telemachus is able to help defeat the suitors. Approved by eNotes Editorial Team

Full Answer

What happens to Telemachus in the end of his journey?

Telemachus is growing into manhood, but without his father, he is still powerless. “Please, Menelaus, don’t keep me quite so long. By the end of his journey, Telemachus has learned how to speak well and get the most out of his hosts.

Can Telemachus match his father’s skills?

This episode reminds us that, at the close of The Odyssey, Telemachus still cannot match his father’s skills but is well on his way.

Why did Telemachus speak to Menelaus before the stories were told?

Even before the stories were told, Telemachus had a sense of what was needed when speaking to Menelaus so he could live up to his father’s legacy, which he did.

What does Telemachus mean by “one man’s goods”?

By referring to “one man’s goods,” he hints that he is ready to claim Odysseus’s possessions as his own—but he does not dare make this claim directly. Telemachus is growing into manhood, but without his father, he is still powerless.

How does Telemachus change over the course of The Odyssey?

In The Odyssey, Homer shows the transition of Telemachus from a childish and passive young man to a Man worthy of being Odysseus' son. Through the help of Athena, he learns different character traits and qualities such as bravery that helps him to mature into a man worth the title of a prince of Ithaca.

What did Telemachus do in The Odyssey?

Telemachus, in Greek mythology, son of the Greek hero Odysseus and his wife, Penelope. When Telemachus reached manhood, he visited Pylos and Sparta in search of his wandering father. On his return, he found that Odysseus had reached home before him. Then father and son slew the suitors who had gathered around Penelope.

What did Telemachus do on his journey?

In Homer's Odyssey, Telemachus, under the instructions of Athena (who accompanies him during the quest), spends the first four books trying to gain knowledge of his father, Odysseus, who left for Troy when Telemachus was still an infant.

How has Telemachus changed since Book 2 How would you characterize him now?

Telemachus is changing so much that he is even willing to take risks in his life now. He is no longer the safe guy, he is now making pacts about his father and is risking his life and mostly his mothers life over his journey. then back I'll come to the native land I love. (II.

How did Telemachus help Odysseus?

At the showdown with the suitors in the great hall, he is shrewd enough to get his mother out of the line of fire and mature enough to be a real help to Odysseus. The prince stands against more than a hundred suitors with only his father and a couple of herdsmen on his side.

What challenges does Telemachus face in The Odyssey?

Finally, like other great heroes, Telemachus has significant obstacles to overcome: the absence of his father, and the presence of the suitors who have taken over his house. In the poem, he successfully surmounts these obstacles: his father returns, and together they kill the suitors.

Where did Telemachus go on his journey?

Why does Telemachus go to Pylos and Sparta? The goddess Athena, disguised as Mentes, advises Telemachus to visit Pylos and Sparta. Athena tells Telemachus that he might hear news of his father, Odysseus.

What does Telemachus symbolize?

When, as an infant Telemachus fell into the ocean, dolphins saved him in tribute, Odysseus wore the emblem of the dolphins as a symbol on his shield. The name Telemachus means “far from battle.”

Where has Telemachus been why do you think he went on this journey?

Where has Telemachus been? Why do you think he went on this journey? He took a ship to pylos. He went looking for his father.

How does Telemachus struggle to become a man?

Telemachus' transition to manhood seems to require two fundamental changes to his relationship with Penelope: first, a post-umbilical emancipation by which the son must further distance himself from his mother; and second, a redefinition of their relationship as woman and man — not mother and son — that thus removes ...

How has Telemachus changed since the beginning of Book 1 and how does Penelope react?

How has Telemachus changed since the beginning of Book 1, and how does Penelope react? He has become more assertive, referring to himself as the man of the house. She looks at him in wonder. Why does Telemachus call the men to assembly?

What steps toward maturity does Telemachus take in Book 3?

What steps toward maturity does Telemachus take in his meeting with Nestor? Telemachus's journey will allow him to find out what happened to Odysseus. In his meeting with Nestor, Telemachus became more mature by gaining the nerve to ask Nestor questions and becoming fluent in speech.

What is Telemachus' role in the Odyssey?

Just an infant when his father left for Troy, Telemachus is still maturing when The Odyssey begins. He is wholly devoted to his mother and to maintaining his father’s estate, but he does not know how to protect them from the suitors. After all, it has only been a few years since he first realized what the suitors’ intentions were. His meeting with Athena in Book 1 changes things. Aside from improving his stature and bearing, she teaches him the responsibilities of a young prince. He soon becomes more assertive. He confronts the suitors and denounces the abuse of his estate, and when Penelope and Eurycleia become anxious or upset, he does not shy away from taking control.

Does Telemachus match his father's talents?

He confronts the suitors and denounces the abuse of his estate, and when Penelope and Eurycleia become anxious or upset, he does not shy away from taking control. Telemachus never fully matches his father’s talents, at least not by The Odyssey ’s conclusion.

How does Telemachus change over the course of the epic?

Telemachus, on the other hand, grows from a boy to a man over the course of the first four books, as he defends his home and mother from suitors, travels to Nestor’s house, and embarks on a search for his father.

How does Telemachus change in Book 1?

After all, it’s only been a few years since he first realized the suitors’ true motives. His meeting with Athena in Book 1 changes everything; she not only improves his stature and bearing, but she also teaches him the responsibilities of a young prince, and he quickly becomes more assertive.

Why is the journey necessary for Telemachus to become the true son of Odysseus?

Telemachus embarks on a journey in search of news of his long-lost father Odysseus; his journeyu2014both physical and metaphoricalu2014is necessary for him to become Odysseus’ true son because he learns how similar he is to Odysseus, gains confidence, and understands the importance of praying to the gods.

What has Telemachus gained during his journey?

Telemachus’ development has shown him to be a proactive man with the dignity and power that his father, Odysseus, possessed. Telemachus was able to grow and understand what he needed to do to save his father through his conversation with Athena. 430-431) Telemachus gained courage and kicked out the suitors from his house.

How is Telemachus a hero?

Telemachus is the hero because he risks his life to achieve Athena’s goal of eliminating the suitors and assisting his father in returning home.

Who did Telemachus marry?

Telemachus married Circe (or Calypso) after Odysseus’ death, according to later legend.

How old is Telemachus?

Because Odysseus has been gone for 18 years and left when Telemachus was a young child, Telemachus is most likely 18 or 19 years old. Telemachus is depicted as hospitable in Homer’s Odyssey.

How did Telemachus progress?

He then progresses to being assertive in how he goes about finding his father. After figuring out his plans with Athena, Telemachus goes on his journey and meets different kings and Queens, who knew his father very well. The meetings with these people helped Telemachus progress into a confident and fearless man.

What is the transformation of Telemachus?

Telemachus' Transformation. Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, is on a mission to find his father. The change and progress Telemachus has made from the beginning of The Odyssey, written by Homer, is quite noticeable from being detached from everything to becoming one of the most honored son’s in the eyes of very powerful people.

What does Telemachus do before Athena meets him?

Telemachus acts very distant before he meets Athena, for he does not know what to do with himself. As the suitors rummage through his home and eat all of his food and drink all of his wine, Telemachus does not stand up for himself, but just lets them destroy his house as he sits down and watches them.

Why is Telemachus so distant?

Telemachus is also very distant and aloof in a way because he does not know the truth about himself, or the past of his Father. As he talks to Athena, he is unsure of his own identity.

What does Athena give Telemachus?

In this conversation, Athena gives him the courage and knowledge of Telemachus’ father. As he listens, he starts to become proactive in his actions.

Is Telemachus still the safe guy?

Telemachus is changing so much that he is even willing to take risks in his life now. He is no longer the safe guy, he is now making pacts about his father and is risking his life and mostly his mothers life over his journey. Now if I hear my Father’s alive and heading home,/.

Is Telemachus mature?

The confidence and poise of Telemachus at this time is much more visible and has shown a huge change over the past books. The maturity and growth of Telemachus is amazing in the fact that it happened in such a short period of time.

What is Telemachus' mistake?

During the battle with the suitors, Telemachus makes a mistake and allows the suitors to get hold of weapons. The mistake shows his inexperience. At the same time, he is quick to step forward and accept the blame, which shows his maturity and sense of honor. Previous section Odysseus Next section Athena.

Why does Telemachus' mother ask Phemius to stop singing?

This line is Telemachus’ response when his mother asks the bard Phemius to stop singing about the Trojan War, because it upsets her. Telemachus’s harsh words for his mother show that he is no longer a boy, but they also reveal tension between mother and son.

What does Odysseus' absence disrupt?

Odysseus’s long absence has disrupted the harmony of his family. if you decide the fare is better, richer here, destroying one man’s goods and going scot-free, all right then, carve away! Having demanded that the suitors leave his house, Telemachus is immediately forced to admit that he does not have the power to make them leave. ...

Is Telemachus still powerless?

Telemachus is growing into manhood, but without his father, he is still powerless. Telemachus, summoning up his newfound tact, replied, “Please, Menelaus, don’t keep me quite so long. By the end of his journey, Telemachus has learned how to speak well and get the most out of his hosts.