1.) Telemachus first appears in the text on page 81, canto 2, line 132.
2.) A brief decription of Telemachus is a young man around twenty years old. In books one and two of the text the audience is given the image or idea that Telemachus is a young weak boy. In books three and four the audience is given the image of Telemachus as a strong powerful man. Books one through four show a transformation of Telemachus from a weak innocent boy into a strong courages man.
3.) Telemachus can be compared to his father Odysseus because Telemachus has inherited some of his fathers traits such as his courage and not to mention his good looks. Both Telemachus and Odysseus have traveled to Sparta but for two different reasons. While Odysseus traveled to Sparta for war, Telemachus travels to Sparta in peace in order to learn about his fathers long journey and to earn a name for himself. "Next I will send him off to Sparta and sandy Pylos, there to learn of his dear father's journey home. Perhaps he will hear some news and make his name thought the mortal world " (1.109-112). The most important aspect that Odysseus and Telemachus have in common is that they both get help from the goddess Athena through difficult situations.
4.) I would consider Telemachus as a hero because he grows and matures from being weak and innocent to becoming brave and courages. He is courages during his journey to Pylos and Sparta where he finds that his father is in fact still alive. Telemachus is also courages because he spoke his mind to all of the suitors that have invaded his fathers palace and have been harassing his mother to remarry even though he is out numbered by them. Telemachus is brave because he is has taken on the responsibility to protect his mother and his home. Telemachus is also a selfless character because he has gone through mental and emotional changes in order to secure the well being of his mother as well as his fathers kingdom.
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Comment #1
I kind of agree with this. I believe that it is through the help of Athena that Telemachus is able to become more courageous. It is only till later, after some of her guidance is he able to begin to sound like a man, “…he stepped, glistening like a god.” (525) this is the first place that Telemachus is described like this. Up until this point he was viewed like a weakling as stated above in the post. However, although he may be able to stand up to the suitors and show bravery I do not think he is much of a hero just yet though he does have the makings to be. We may see intellectual strength but not much physical strength. Also, there is not much that we can go on to show that he is trying to have the people’s needs first. Right now he is just focused on his own needs. However, he searching for his father is also benefitting his mother which does show some beginnings of a hero.
I was going to say the same exact thing. I agree with alot of what you said. I believe that telemachus can be compared to his father Odyseus in many different ways. Most people that he meets mention strange resemblences "odysseus' feet were like the boys, his hands as well, his glancing eyes, his head, and the fine shock hair" (4.165) Others compare him to Odysseus by the mature way he talks. I agree and disagree on what was said about Telemachus being a hero. I do think he is now a hero because he is being brave and he journeyed to Sparta to find out more about his father. But I also recognize the fact that the goddess Athena has helped him with many things. She has given him the courage to go because she tells him that nothing bad will happen, and she also assembles him a ship and tells him where to go and what to do. I also think that if Athena had not come along Telemachus would not have gone anywhere. Before Athena, Telemachus seemed shy and was tolerating the suitors not really sticking up for his mother. Overall without Athena I don't think Telemachus would be a hero at all. He might have had those hero qualities inside him and Athena is helping him to bring them out.
BA#2 Comment 1
Although Athena has helped Telemachus by encouraging him to go in search of information about his father, I believe he is a hero. Telemachus is not just focusing on the need to know if his father is alive and where he is, but he is helping his mom and Ithaca, in which Odysseus ruled over before he left, with hope to bring back positive information back to them. Telemachus is in a hurry to go from one place to the next to find out new information about his father, "I delight to listen! Yes, but now, I'm afraid, my comrades must be restless in sacred Pylos..." (4.672). Telemachus is anxious to move on to the next island to learn of new information about his father, from those who last saw him. I consider Telemachus a hero because he is courageous due to Athena bringing out the qualities he had within him to go in search of his father to bring back information or his father to Ithaca.
I agree with the statement that Telemachus is a hero. Telemachus does indeed appear somewhat weak-willed and discouraged early on in the story, stating “Look how my countrymen-the suitors most of all, the pernicious bullies-foil each move I make” (2.298). However, we already see at this point in the reading that he has gone through a transformation to a stronger, more enlightened individual, one of the key elements of being a hero. Even the great King Menelaus has this to say about Telemahcus: “Your father’s son you are-your words have all his wisdom.” (4.229). It is true that the assistance from Athena gives Telemachus the final push to begin finding his father, but he is getting no more help from the gods than his much celebrated father has. Telemachus has the well-being of his mother, father, and the people of Ithaca in mind, and therefore is not at all selfish with his actions.
I agree that Telemachus is a hero. Within the first four books of The Odyssey, Telemachus has grown into a courageous, honorable man. At first, he was a young boy, allowing the suitors to bleed his possessions dry, sitting back, and being trampled over. Upon the advisory of Athena, he has taken a stand and set out to find his father. Along his journey, Telemachus has proven time and again that he has grown up. He is continuously complemented on his presentation, his democracy, and his ability to speak. All who meet him see the resemblance of his father. Telemachus is able to interact with the great rulers as if he himself has had years of experience. The great king Menelaus is able to recognize Telemachus’ maturity: “Good blood runs in you, dear boy, your words are poof” (4.688). It takes a lot for a boy to become a man, and an honorable one at that. Telemachus was able to do so without his father to influence him properly.
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