(Pallas Athena) " 'You must not cling to your boyhood any longer-- it's time you were a man... And you, my friend--how tall and handsome I see you now--be brave, you too, so men to come will sing your praises down the years.' "
(Telemachus, the man) " ' Oh stranger,' heedful Telemachus replied, ' indeed I will. You've counseled me with so much kindness now, like a father to a son. I won't forget a word...' "
~ from The Odyssey, by Homer, pg. 87
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In this section from The Odyssey, Homer, as the author, is using Athena developing the character of Prince Telemachus - the young son of long-lost Odysseus. In the begging of the book, Telemachus is just a 'little' boy, who is still so because he has lacked a fatherly figure since he was an infant. He has grown up among gentle women and rough, unrespectable men. In consideration of this, the author introduces the goddess Athena as a man, a sort of fatherly one, to encourage Telemachus into becoming a man himself - ready to protect his father's household and wife.
At this point in the chapter, on page 87, we see that Athena has succeeded in her mission - making Telemachus into a man. As we leave this page, the young Prince is strong in the new courage of his manhood.
