In "The Odyssey," Homer believes that one requires both self confidence and religious faith to not only accomplish daily tasks, but to grow and become a man as well. Homer uses the character of Telemachus, the only son of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, to illustrate both self confidence and religious faith. There are many events happening in Telemachus' life, but he believes that he is powerless to take any action against them, because he does not have the self and religious confidence required to achieve what needs to be done. Telemachus' self-doubt throughout The Telemachia hurts not only himself, but his family and his home.

Telemachus harbors much self doubt and shows this when his father, Odysseus is lost at sea, and no one knows his whereabouts. Throughout the first four books, named "The Telemachia," Telemachus seeks information as to the whereabouts of his father, who is trapped...