Joseph AsanDr. RosieneCivilization 10/28/2014The development of the character of Telemachus in the Odyssey Telemachus does not know his father at the beginning of the Odyssey because he was a child when his father left for Troy. As a mature man, he devoted several books to the study of his father and devoted himself entirely to his mother and the maintenance of his father's estate. However, he does not know how to protect his mother and her property from the suitors whose real plans he has recently discovered. A meeting with Athena was a turning point for him as she instructed him in the ways of a young Greek prince. After a meeting with Athena, he becomes more responsible, more assertive and courageous and able to confront the suitors about their intentions and abuses. Initially, he had difficulty being a good neighbor and friendly with his mentor Athena but he is cheerful and lively in the eyes of Theochlamène the soothsayer. Just like his father Ulysses, he possesses the essential qualities and skills of a successful leader. These attributes include boldness, insight, wisdom, confidence and cordiality. Although the suitors dug a pit along the path for him to use on his journey back to Ithaca, Athena informed him of the trap. Athena also suggested to him that his father may still be alive but being held hostage by the goddess. Faith and hope, with unwavering determination, particularly appeal to his father and describe Telemachus' adult life. Athena, the Great God, and Odysseus, her courageous father, have what it takes to defeat the suitors once and for all. His cleverness was proven when he took his mother out of the line of fire during closing time with the suitors in the great room. His father was happy that Telemachus had become a man who could be important to him even in battle. As he stood alone against many suitors and fought diligently and victoriously, he earned both his father's trust and respect. Although he is now adult enough, he makes stupid mistakes that people of his father's caliber would never make and this illustrates that Telemachus is not yet like his father but he is on his way to getting there. For example, he accidentally leaves an arms depot open, a careless mistake that allows the suitors to arm