Editing Telemachus (section)

==''Odyssey''==
[[File:Mnesterophonia Louvre CA7124.jpg|thumb|right|Slaughter of the suitors by Odysseus and Telemachus, [[Campania]]n red-figure bell-[[krater]], ca. 330 BC, [[Louvre]] (CA 7124)]]

In Homer's ''Odyssey'', Telemachus, under the instructions of [[Athena]] (who accompanies him during the quest), spends the first four books trying to gain knowledge of his father, Odysseus, who left for Troy when Telemachus was still an infant. At the outset of Telemachus's journey, Odysseus had been absent from his home at [[Homer's Ithaca|Ithaca]] for twenty years due to the Trojan War and the intervention of [[Poseidon]]. During his absence, Odysseus's house has been occupied by hordes of [[Suitors of Penelope|suitors seeking the hand of Penelope]].<ref>Homer, ''Odyssey'' Books I–II</ref> Telemachus first visits [[Nestor (mythology)|Nestor]] and is well received by the old man who regales him with stories of his father's glory. Telemachus then departs with Nestor's son [[Peisistratus (Odyssey)|Peisistratus]],<ref>Homer ''Odyssey'' Book III</ref> who accompanies him to the halls of [[Menelaus]] and his wife [[Helen of Troy|Helen]]. Whilst there, Telemachus is again treated as an honored guest as Menelaus and Helen tell complementary yet contradictory stories of his father's exploits at Troy. Telemachus also learns from Menelaus that his father was last seen stranded on [[Ogygia]].<ref>Homer ''Odyssey'' Book IV</ref>

Telemachus focuses on his father's [[Returns from Troy#The Odyssey|return to Ithaca]] in Book XV.  He visits [[Eumaeus]], the swineherd, who happens to be hosting a disguised Odysseus.  After Odysseus reveals himself to Telemachus due to Athena's advice, the two men plan the downfall of the suitors. Telemachus then returns to the palace to keep an eye on the suitors and to await his father as the beggar.<ref>Homer, ''Odyssey'' Books XV–XVI</ref>

When Penelope challenges the suitors to string Odysseus's bow and shoot an arrow through the handle-holes of twelve axe heads, Telemachus is the first to attempt the task. He would have completed the task, nearly stringing the bow on his fourth attempt; however, Odysseus subtly stops him before he can finish his attempt. Following the suitors' failure at this task, Odysseus reveals himself and he and Telemachus bring swift and bloody death to the suitors.<ref>Homer, ''Odyssey'' Books XXI–XXII</ref>