He acknowledges that Odysseus is his father, but is uncertain. Telemachus says, “‘Mother has always told me I’m his son, it’s true, / but I am not so certain. Who, on his own, / has ever really known who gave him life?’” (1.249-51). Athena requires Telemachus to journey to Pylos and Sparta. According to critic John Heath, Telemachus goes on a journey “as a pursuit of his own identity in terms of his father’s famous characteristics: endurance, restraint, intelligence, and deception” (129). Through learning about his father, Telemachus learns about himself. One’s father is considered to be the determiner of one’s identity. Especially among the ancient Greeks, the identity of a young man was explicitly tied to that of his father. For example, a son was named according to the name of his father. Consequently, Telemachus’ journey is one of illumination of self and of maturing (Tracy
He acknowledges that Odysseus is his father, but is uncertain. Telemachus says, “‘Mother has always told me I’m his son, it’s true, / but I am not so certain. Who, on his own, / has ever really known who gave him life?’” (1.249-51). Athena requires Telemachus to journey to Pylos and Sparta. According to critic John Heath, Telemachus goes on a journey “as a pursuit of his own identity in terms of his father’s famous characteristics: endurance, restraint, intelligence, and deception” (129). Through learning about his father, Telemachus learns about himself. One’s father is considered to be the determiner of one’s identity. Especially among the ancient Greeks, the identity of a young man was explicitly tied to that of his father. For example, a son was named according to the name of his father. Consequently, Telemachus’ journey is one of illumination of self and of maturing (Tracy