In Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, Odysseus' son, Telemachus, is an important character whose journey into manhood is exhibited alongside Odysseus's own travels. Throughout the poem, Telemachos experiences many opportunities to become a man, and in most cases, he rises to the challenge admirably. His maturation is important to the development of the poem, and affects the outcome of the story. Three consequential ways in which Telemachos becomes a man during the tale are when he takes the initiative to go find his father, the instance when he took control of the situation of the suitors, and finally, when he stood next to his father in battle.   The first way Telemachos shows that he has matured is when he takes the initiative to go find his father. When Telemachus to try to find Odysseus, things are not well in his house. He has many suitors there that do not care about his house, his belongings, or his mother. These men are courting his mother, waiting for her to decide which one of them she will marry. It is a big decision for him to make, but with the help of Athene, Telemachos finds his way. Athene comes to him one day and tells him to find his father. Although Telemachus was unsure at first, he decides to go find Odysseus. On his journey, he first visits Nestor, one of the wisest men in the world. Telemachos goes to Nestor to find out if he knows anything about his father's whereabouts. Nestor tells him that Odysseus is on his way home. After he goes to Nestor, Telemachus goes to Menalaos, his father's old companion from the Trojan War. After leaving Menalaos, Telemachus returns home to Ithaca. He has no information other than the fact that his father is coming home. Telemachos decides to go home and help his mother with the suitors. On his journey home, Athene comes to him and tells him that the suitors are planning to kill him. She tells him not to go directly home, but go to Eiumaios the swineherd instead. Eiumaos is