Question: Consider The Question Of Whether Telemachus Undergoes A Kind Of ‘rites Of Passage’ Transition Within The Course Of The Odyssey. How Does This Role Enhance The Poem?

But I shall make my way to Ithaca, so that I may stir up

his son a little, and put some confidence in him

This journey takes Telemachus to Pylos and Sparta where Nestor and Menelaus teach Telemachus how to act as a mature man, including learning how act around elders, how to construct appropriate speech, knowing when and when not to speak, and he learns about the Gods. This journey is Telemachus’ ‘rites of passage’ where after completing it he has learnt how to act as a man. The stories of Telemachus enhance the poem because they incorporate the flattering mentions of Odysseus from Athena, Nestor and Menelaus, adding to the greatness of Odysseus. We are able to see just how much Odysseus’ absence affects his family. The story of Telemachus’ coming of age also celebrates Odysseus’ life because it completes the picture of his unparalleled success by giving him a worthy successor, whose success he can observe while still alive

Some topics in this essay:
Nestor Menelaus, Book I436, Book XVI476-477, Achilles Agamemnon, XV503-506 Telemachus’, II358 Telemachus’, IV31-32 Telemachus, , Gods Menelaus, Il I255-256, ‘rites passage’, telemachus’ ‘rites passage’, inside house, odysseus poem, telemachus journey, telemachus’ ‘rites, telemachus learns, nestor menelaus, teach telemachus, keeping silent, mature adult, ‘rites passage’ training,