Final answer:
Telemachus has hope for Ulysses's return due to the guidance of Minerva and the favorable omens and stories he encounters on his journey, which are indicative of divine favor and Greek narrative tropes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Telemachus has reason to hope for his father Ulysses's return in Homer's Odyssey primarily because of the support and guidance of the goddess Minerva (Athena). Minerva's presence and involvement in advising Telemachus instills in him the courage and determination to seek out his father, indicating divine favor and the possibility that Ulysses is still alive. Additionally, within the narrative structure of myths and epics like the Odyssey, encounters with deities and their direct assistance often signal a favorable outcome for the characters they support.
Furthermore, during Telemachus's journey, he receives encouraging prophecies and hears stories of his father's great renown, which further bolster his hope. The emotions and events depicted when characters like Odysseus react to their memories, such as when hearing a song about past events, or in theatrical recognitions as with Orestes, emphasize the significance of hope and the return of heroes in Greek literature. A restoration of order often follows the homecoming of a Greek hero, which Telemachus would certainly desire given the situation with the suitors at home.