Telemackus: The Character Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

Although Telemackus has progressed to be the son of his father, he still has not been able to become a man like Odysseus. Although it is true that his physical stature and his personality resemble greatly of his father, he still lacks a few key traits that makes Odysseus so heroic. The first would be that his strength. This was shown when Penelope makes an agreement with the suitors that the first to string Odysseus’s hunting bow will be her future husband. Telemakus quickly realizes the opportunity this brings and ambitiously declares he’d be the first to try it. He swiftly begins to dig a ditch, a technique that he had never seen anyone do, but was able to perform it with great accuracy. He then begins to “… attempt the bow. / Three times he put his back into it and sprang it / three times he had to sack off. / … A fourth try and he had it all but strung- / when a stiffening in Odysseus made him check” …show more content…
The journey of becoming his father’s son began once Athena had given him orders. The progression was evident once compared to his aggression between two very different, yet doomed situations; and his mistakes demonstrate how far he has yet to go. In Homer’s, The Odyssey, a major theme that occurs throughout the story is the importance of achieving Arete. Odysseus must return home for him to seize this power, but along his father, Telemakus must do the same. By the end of their journeys, Odysseus, who receives an impeccable nostos, is able to complete his task, however Telemakus has still not completely achieved his. He has much to learn about his father, and much to learn from his father. He still has to continue down his path for it will make him the man his father was. A son of a heroic man is bound to make mistakes; but a man like Odysseus is to be near perfection, a man that can be mistaken for a