Telemakhos In The Open Sea

Telemakhos in the Open Sea

A boy of the Maasai tribe, wrapped in black cloth, leaves his village to meet darkness and fear in the wild, with a sole dagger to protect him. Thus begins an elaborate process of initiation, in which he will have to collect as many feathers possible to make a headdress- the signal of adulthood. After the hunt, emerging from the dark area, he will be a man (Nave). In the Odyssey, Telemakhos's journey to find news of his father is his own rite of passage- the period of trials and tribulations that he will have to face, preparing him for life's bigger challenges.

Being inducted into adult society by means of elaborate initiation ceremonies serves the important function of giving the initiator status and a sense of autonomy as he faces the heavier demands of the adult world (Goldenson, Ph.D 22-25). Telemakhos's journey requires him to be more independent and forceful; he sloughs off the daydreaming boy image and emerges as the hero's son. During the trip, he begins to form an identity and establishes morals. He wants to protect his family and home like a man should, and begins this quest with the thought of his mother's suitors leaving once and for all. In his quest for knowledge of his father, he simultaneously "finds" himself.

Throughout the Telemakhy, it is apparent Telemakhos is developing. In the first books of the Odyssey, Homer illustrates this change from young boy to young man through use of affirmative adjectives. Telemakhos replies with no confusion and boldly to the suitors, and is described as clear-headed and confident. When he arrived at Pylos, he was unsure as how to approach Nestor, yet he was quickly complimented on his manner of speech:

Well, I must say I marvel at the sight of you:

your manner of speech couldn't be more like his;

one would say No; no boy could speak so well (Book II lines 132-5 pgs. 38-9).

Even Menelaos, after Telemakhos arrives at his mansion, says he was well spoken. Throughout his journey, Telemakhos learns to speak up for himself. He finds inner strength to assert himself- just like the Maasai boy amongst the looming trees- in this period of confusion and passage.

During the lonely hunt, the Maasai boy spends time acknowledging his future responsibilities in life and his morals. Telemakhos does the same. When Menelaos invites him to stay as a guest for a longer time in his paradisiacal mansion, Telemakhos refuses. He acknowledges the responsibility he has for his men and his homeland. Telemakhos knows the importance of his family and his