Throughout the novel, Homer's The Odyssey, Telemachus, son of the main character, Odysseus, goes through significant phases that change his life forever. From the beginning Telemachus found himself in a situation from which he could not free himself. He was basically a depressed boy with a "heart haunted by pain" (Homer 81) who couldn't get up because he had a missing father or some man to look up to, and he also had to face the worst guests, men who tried to take his mother, throw him away, make him feel weak and take control of the palace. “'It left me with tears and pain. Nor do I break my heart and grieve only for him. Not anymore. Now the gods have invented other miseries to torment me'” (Homer 85). From the beginning of the story, he was basically giving up on life, not even trying to gain hope that his father would return. “'But now, useless, he died a miserable death. We have no comfort left...not even if someone, somewhere, says he's going home'” (Homer 83). He was in the midst of an identity crisis because in his entire life he had never seen or communicated with his father. “'Mom always told me I was her son, that's true, but I'm not so sure. Who, alone, has ever truly known the one who gave him life?'” (Homer 84). This uncertainty and emptiness pretty much messed up his self-esteem. For example, “But for himself he designed a low reclining chair beside her, richly painted, far from the throng of suitors” (Homer 81). Sitting in that chair showed how afraid he was of standing up to the suitors, which made the suitors take advantage of him even more. During Athena's first visit, Telemachus was not brave enough to say what he wanted to say to the suitors. “He spoke in a low voice to his host so that no one else could hear: 'Dear strange... middle of paper... ks, the distaff and the loom, and make the women work hard too... I hold the reins of power in this house'” (Homer 89). With shock, his mother carried out her order and this also shocked some suitors. “The discreet Telemachus took the lead: 'You suitors who torment my mother, you insolent, presumptuous... .You must leave my palace! But if you decide the fare is better... cut away'” (Homer 89). However, a huge change was shown through Telemachus. He actually found the courage to say something, which is a really good sign. After saying something, he finally set out to go and look for his father himself doubt, Athena's visit was the element that allowed Telemachus to start doing something in his life and making some changes..