Being the son of Ithaca tsar, Odysseus, and Penelope, Telemachus has encountered a significant number of hardships while growing up. His childhood and adolescence were joyless, as the mother’s love and care and the custody of a wise educator Mentor could not substitute his father, who had gone to war with Troy. The poor son knew nothing about Odysseus for twenty years, as during this period, the Trojan War and Odysseus’s journey to the motherland took place. All the ordeals he had to overcome made him a mature and well-rounded hero.
Still needing the care of his father, young Telemachus had to protect Penelope from persistent suitors. This mission was not feasible for him at that moment, but he undertook this responsibility without hesitation. For example, when the character tried to control the suitors, they were amazed by his bold and grown up voice. The author describes “so Telemachus declared. And they all bit their lips, amazed the prince could speak with so much daring”. This factor contributed to turning from an unsure boy to a mature and strong man.
Another display of the character’s courage is his decision to start the journey searching for his father despite all the multiple stories of his death. In Sparta, the brave juvenile managed to reveal some information about his father and assure that he was still alive, so the efforts were not senseless. Moreover, the goddess Athene, seeing the attempts of Telemachus, suppled him with her help. Athene tells Telemachus: “I do not think you could have been born and reared without the gods’ will”. She warned the character of the ambushment organized by Penelope’s suitors and contributed to the meeting with Odysseus by advising to head for Eamaeus.
This way, the bravery, loyalty, and nobility of the juvenile are worthy of being highlighted. The journey, the childhood without father and the necessity to protect his mother at young age appeared to be an ordeal for his identity, which he managed to overcome it with dignity and strengthen his character. His insistence, moral principles, and virtuous intentions were noted by the goddess Athene, who offered her help. For these reasons, Telemachus has become a hero, who is made an example for young people even after thousands of years after the happening.