key character: Telemachus

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  • 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
    • 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

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