Impression of Telemachus

In these first four books of the Odyssey, Telemachus seems to be a determined adolescent who is being thrown into manhood. He is intelligent and an eloquent speaker, but is still learning how to take control of his own future and authority. Telemachus has a lot of dependence on the Gods. He hasn’t managed to bring forth the confidence and power needed to deal directly with whatever issues he is facing. Without encouragement from Athena, he most likely would not have thought to go in search of his missing father, much less demand that the suitors leave. Telemachus is a boy who is entering manhood with support from the Olympians.