Coming of Age: Telemakhos's Journey in The Odyssey

Introduction: The Burden of a Legendary Father

We often hear the line "like father, like son," and Homer's The Odyssey gives us an opportunity to see how this idea can actually play out in life. With a father like Odysseus, one might feel a degree of intimidation and insecurity, so it is understandable that Telemakhos would have a difficult time being his son. In such a scenario, a weaker individual might never reach his or her full potential, because the idea of a great father becomes a burden rather than an inspiration. Telemakhos struggles with his identity at the beginning of the story, but by the end he is confident in who he is — and much of this comes from his willingness to remain open to opportunities that allow him to learn and grow. He does not have time to be bitter, nor does he waste energy worrying about not being Odysseus. He simply decides that he is who he is, and that his future and fate are up to him. His journey is similar to his father's in the sense that he learns from it. Telemakhos never reaches the same stature as his father, but he does earn respect by the end of the story, claiming his own right as an individual.

Odysseus as a Model of Heroic Growth

Odysseus is a formidable hero against whom any son would struggle to measure himself. He allows his experience to shape him into a strong individual, and with each adventure he seems to evolve. Early in the story he is prone to acting before thinking, as we see in his conflict with Poseidon. By the end of the tale, however, he carefully weighs the consequences of his actions. While posing as a wandering beggar, he reaches maturity, waiting until exactly the right moment to act against the suitors. He is careful and confident at this point in the story, which makes him a more admirable character.

His journey to the underworld forced him to confront many unresolved issues from his past, enabling him to seek a kind of forgiveness and move toward enlightenment. He also learns to focus before battle and does not allow himself to be distracted by things that might lead him to a poor decision. Always a hero, he earns greater respect with every situation he handles with caution and care. He defeats danger and restores peace to Ithaca. He reveals his sense of honor when he declares, "Men hold me / formidable for guile in peace and war: / this fame has gone abroad to the sky's rim" (Homer IX.19–21). Odysseus is proud, and he has every right to be. His experiences teach him that almost everything comes down to who is for him and who is against him. It does not need to be more complicated than that, and with this clarity of thinking, Odysseus becomes truly successful.

Lessons from Nestor and Menelaus

Telemakhos can never truly be compared to his father, and perhaps one of the most challenging realizations for him is that he can never reach his father's status or character. Nevertheless, he does come to earn his own respect by the end of the tale. The people he encounters along the way influence him greatly. Menelaus and Nestor are two figures who shape Telemakhos significantly. When he speaks to King Nestor, he expresses no fear or hesitation, asking directly: "I beg you — if ever my father, lord Odysseus, pledged you his word and made it good in action once on the fields of Troy where you Achaeans suffered, remember his story now, tell me the truth" (III.109–112). In this scene, Telemakhos expresses his feelings clearly, and we see his character beginning to change and mature. Nestor compliments him on his articulation, saying "no youngster could ever speak like him" (III.140).

It is also worth noting that Telemakhos's knowledge of his father's greatness actively influences his own growth. He knows his father was a hero, and Menelaus's stories about Odysseus inspire him to be the best he can be. Nestor tells Telemakhos that his father surpassed even the Spartans, and this gives the young man hope that he too can become the same kind of leader. He takes that hope and does the right thing with it — cultivating it rather than burying it.

Conclusion: Stepping Out of the Shadow

Telemakhos must know that he is destined for some measure of greatness because he carries the blood of Odysseus in his veins. The Odyssey explores the personal journeys of both men, with Telemakhos's growth dependent upon a journey and the people he encounters along the way, and Odysseus's growth more dependent upon circumstances. It takes a while for Telemakhos to step away from his father's shadow, and Odysseus must literally disappear for him to step forward and move toward his own individuality. Telemakhos comes to rely upon his own understanding as well as the help of the gods as he finds his way.

The need to fight in order to reclaim control of his home is a major event that allows him to grow and gain confidence. Upon his father's return, he sees an excellent opportunity to prove himself, and he does so in a striking fashion. His ability to kill the suitors is a positive sign that he has become mature and willing to do what is right. He wins back his home, and this gives him the confidence he needs to follow in his father's footsteps. It demonstrates to those around him that he has finally come into his own and is a force to be reckoned with — just as his father before him.

Works Cited

Homer. "The Odyssey." The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 1997. Print.