key character: Telemachus
- Created by: Smelsa
- Created on: 15-04-15 10:35
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- Telemachus son of Odysseus
- Homer has chosen to make Laertes, od's father, absent from the palace in order to explore Tel's character.
- homer makes Tel growing on to a ma an issue of the epic
- The only knowledge Tel has of his father is from what others say about him
- because Od left for troy when Tel was a baby
- quickly maturing in to a man- which is a great deal of stress for him because he is not quite mature enough to deal with the suotirs but hes old enough to resent them
- 'Truth is that there is no one like Odysseus in charge to purge the house of this blight. I would willingly fight if I had the strength' Tel book 2
- Embarks on the mission to Nestior and Menelaus
- to gain 'kudos' (honour) and kleos (fame)
- both Nestor and menaleus highlight how similar he is to od
- 'I cannot help looking at you in awe: you talk exactly as he did' Nestor book 3
- 'you are the son of kings... inferior parents could not breed men such as you' Menaleus book 4
- 'surley this must be the great hearted Odysseus' son Telemachus' Helen book 4
- 'odysseus' feet were just the same, and so were his hands, the movement of his eyes, the shape of his head and the way his hair grew.' Menaleus book 4
- grows in confidence and stature through out. Especially after his father returnes
- 'Telemachus strode across the hall'
- he is seen confrunting the suitors more and more
- 'it amused (the suitors) that Telemachus should have the audacity to address them in this style' book 20
- as the climax approcahes these incidents happen more and more
- his epithets change as the plot progresses
- at the start : 'courteous Telemachus', 'thoughtful Telemachus', 'sensible Telemachus' and 'prudent Telemachus'
- but towards the end: 'great Telemachus'
- sign of his newly found heroic status
- at the start : 'courteous Telemachus', 'thoughtful Telemachus', 'sensible Telemachus' and 'prudent Telemachus'
- his worthyness and maturity is ultimatly demonstrated in book 21 - when he would have strung od's bow - had his father not stopped him
- 'the fourth time he put so much pressure on the bow that he might well have strung it yet, if odysseus ha dnot put an end to his attempts with a shake of the head' (book 21)
- at the end of book 21 Tel is shown as a warrior for the first time
- 'Telemachus slung on his sharp-edged sword and gripping his spear took his stand by the chair at his fathers side, armed with respelndent bronze'
- partakes in the slaughter of the suitors in book 22- his first taste of battle and bloodshead
- 'Telemachus struck Euenor's son Leocritus right in the flank with a spear, driving the point clean through the man'
- the fact hes with his father does not diminish his achivements, rather highlighs that he is a true hero himself as he is his fathers virtual equal
- 'Telemachus and I will keep these arrogant suitors penned up in the hall, however hard they fight' od book 22
- Laertes is delighted to see his son and grendson compete with eachother before the fight with the suitorsrelatives
- 'what a day this is to warm my heart! my son and grandson competing in valour!' book 24
- Homer has chosen to make Laertes, od's father, absent from the palace in order to explore Tel's character.
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