Athena and Telemakhos

The first four books of Homer’s poem, The Odyssey, is primarily about Telemakhos, son of Odysseus. Odysseus left home when Telemakhos was a little boy and now Telemakhos, being twenty years old, is unsure where he belongs and what his role is. By letting the suitors take over his father’s estate, Telemakhos has taken no responsibility as the man of the house. Athena comes to Telemakhos disguised as Mentor, an old friend of Odysseus, to help him change from boy to man and take on the head of the house role. She does this by telling him to: “call the islanders to assembly” (I. 312) to tell the suitors to leave and: “talk to the noble sage at Pylos, Nestor, then go to Menelaos, the red-haired king at Sparta” (I. 320-323).

The title of Book II is called A Hero’s son Awakens. It is in this book that Telemakhos begins to take charge. He starts out by giving a speech to the suitors about how he has not only lost his father in war but now because of them his home is being destroyed. After the speech the suitors made plans to kill Telemakhos because they did not like what he said.

Although Telemakhos is growing up, he still needs Athena’s help. Athena, disguised as Mentor, helps Telemakhos by giving him some words of advice. After the speech Telemakhos finds some of the suitors: “skinning goats and roasting pigs in the courtyard. Antinoos came straight over, laughing at him, and took him by the hand with a bold greeting” (II. 314-316). He becomes upset until Athena tells him to control his temper and get over it (II. 317-318). Again Athena is seen helping Telemakhos by making herself resemble him and going out to gather men for his ship.

Telemakhos grew up most of his life secluded and raised solely by his mother and nurse. He had not achieved the manliness that comes with adulthood until his encounter with Athena. It was because of Athena that Telemakhos developed the bravery to begin taking care of his home and find his father. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telemakhos)