Character Analysis Of Telemachus In Homer's Odyssey

The character of Telemachus developed during the story The Odyssey from a boy like character to that of a warrior fighting beside his father. Telemachus is the only young character in the Odyssey, and so he is also the only character whose personality traits change as the story moves along. The other characters are all mature in age if not in actions and Telemachus goes from being intimidated by the suitors to helping his father kill them. He goes from being helpless to what is going on around him to starting to assert himself with his mother and the suitors and learns by example what hospitality is and how important it is to the Greek people. The character of Telemachus develops in his relationship with his mother, the suitors, and learning …show more content…
He seems to love his mother, but he is also worried about the suitors taking what his inheritance. They have cross words when Penelope scolds Phemius for singing about the Trojan War. Telemachus tells his mother to mind her own business and to return to another part of their home if she does not like the singing. Penelope does not understand her son’s need to hear about his father and learn about him, and Telemachus is too immature to understand love and his mother’s grief. Telemachus declares that he is master of the house for the first time. They are both preoccupied with their fears and insecurities. By putting Penelope in her place in front of the suitors that should have been a sign to them that he is coming of age and closer to taking …show more content…
Each place he goes, he is greeted like a god as there are great feasts in which only the most perfect animals gets slaughtered, and the best drinks served. They make a big production of praying to the gods and giving offerings. No questions are asked of the guests until they have had their fill of food and drink, and then the host asks questions as to who the guest is and where are they call home. Help is always given freely to help the visitor his goal as is treasures that are not only valuable but of emotional significance to the giver. Athena informs Telemachus that the way the suitors are taking advantage of his mother’s hospitality is wrong and he should not tolerate it any longer. She tells him that the suitors are behaving in a shameful way and any man would be appalled by their rude behavior as this is not the correct way the gift hospitality should be reciprocated. Telemachus learns that hospitality and the appropriate way to return hospitality is really about giving respect to