The most helpful character to Telemachus is Athena. In<em> Odyssey</em><u>, Athena is the one who advises Telemachus to start searching for his father and encourages him to not lose hope</u>. However, she tells Telemachus that he needs to grow up quickly to find his father. Throughout the story, Athena protects and helps Telemachus as much as she protects his father by teaching him how to be responsible and confident. Moreover, <u>the goddess also encourages Telemachus to stand up to the suitors of his mother </u>since they have been behaving badly in Odysseus' home.