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Telemachus' Odyssey The Odyssey, though named for the great warrior and story focus Odysseus, cannot be soley regarded as a single man's journey. The growth in intellect, maturity, and strength the Odysseus undergoes is reflected distinctly in his son, Telemachus. In the first books, other characters continue to treat him much as a child, and in many respects, Telemachus still acts like one. The first few books illustrate the relationship between Telemachus and his father, …

…distant foil for Odysseus. However, in analyzing The Odyssey, one may also presume that Homer had not intended for the Telemachus to be as great a hero as his father had. This may be due to the fact that he never fought in the Trojan War (his setting, unlike his father's, is a time of peace); but more notably, although he has matured, Telemachus never has the opportunity to learn through hardship, like his father.