Odyssey - Telemachos Analysis

“To thine own self be true,” is a famous Shakespearean quote, and one the character Telemachos in The Odyssey had to struggle to learn to appreciate. He is first introduced to the reader as being meek and passive, feeling as if defending his family against the suitors is a hopeless effort. With the interference of Athena, he begins to have faith in both himself and his father, returning after years abroad to reclaim the Ithacan …

…people go through this same period of self-examination during adolescence, striving for the same results and typically receiving them, which makes him an easy character for the reader to relate to. His character can set an example for those struggling to be true to themselves, referring back to the quote from Shakespeare. Although the journey from child to adult is a long and tough one, the results will almost always turn out to be positive.