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For this benchmark we read the book, __The Odyssey__, and then we had to do a 5 paragraph paper explaining our thesis. I chose the one about Telemachus journey to becoming a man.

= //**The Writing:**// =

Sildia Gonzalez Red English First Quarter B.M- The Odyssey Essay October 27,2009

Some boys struggle from boyhood to manhood. Sometimes boys get trough the struggles and others can’t. Telemachus’ journey, in __The Odyssey__, from childhood to manhood is coming along just great because he told his mother to go back to her room and do the women’s work and let him do the man’s work, he went out on his trip to find news of his father, and he had the courage to talk to Nestor. Telemachus is becoming a man. His old ways are disappearing. He is taking responsibility.

On his journey to manhood the first thing Telemachus does to show he is becoming a man is tell his mother to go back to her room and let him do the mans work. For example in the text it is states, “So, mother, go back to your quarters.” Tend to your own tasks, the distaff and the loom, and keep the women working hard as well.” “As for giving orders, men will see to that, but I most of all: I hold the reins of power in this house.” Telemachus is showing that he is maturing because he stood up to his mother telling her that he is the man of the house and that he is going to take charge.

Telemachus has evolved from a young boy in to a man. Another example of this is when he left for Pylos to look for his father and he didn’t tell anyone. He left everything behind except of course Athena. At this point in the book He didn’t care about anything besides his father. On page 106 on line 451 he says “come friends get the rations aboard ...my mother ha heard nothing of this no servants either only one has heard our plan.” Telemachus is very brave and shows that he is ready to find news his father. An example from the book is, “Telemachus climbed out last, with Athena far in front and the bright-eyed goddess urged the prince along.” He is growing mentally and spiritual.

When Telemachus reached Pylos he was scared and nervous about talking to Nestor but Athena encouraged him to. A quote from the story that proves this is, “Telemachus, the bright-eyed goddess Athena reassured him, some of the words you’ll find within yourself, the rest some power will inspire you to say.” Telemachus finally had courage to talk to Nestor for news of his father. “I am on the trail of my father’s widespread fame, you see, searching the earth to catch some news of great-hearted King Odysseus.” “I look at you and the sense of wonder takes me it’s just like his I swear no youngster could ever speak like you, so apt, so telling.” This is Nestor talking to Telemachus. Well here Telemachus shows that he grew much courage to talk to Nestor and that shows he is growing up.

Telemachus telling his mother to go back to her room and do the women’s work and let him do the man’s work, going out on his trip to find news of his father, and having the courage to talk to Nestor are examples of how Telemachus is becoming a man. When a boy does these kind of things it shows they are becoming a man.