The Odyssey

1. Books 1-4 Summaries by Erin Salona The Odyssey

2. Book ONEAthena Advises Telemachus • Homer’s invocation to the Muses (9 daughters of Zeus worshipped for Inspiration to art and music) • The reader learns: • Poseidon has stranded Odysseus with Calypso, the nymph • Poseidon is upset with Odysseus for poking the Cyclops’ eye out • Athena begs Zeus to let Odysseus return to Ithaca • Hermes is sent to free Odysseus from Calypso

3. Book ONE • Athena comes to give advice to Telemachus & is disguised as Mentor, a male family friend. • Suitors have overrun Odysseus’ home & want to marry his mother, Queen Penelope. • Mentor/Athena tells Telemachus to find a boat & to sail to different places asking about his father • She tells Telemachus that he should warn off the suitors or kill them upon his return.

4. Book ONE • From Mentor, Telemachus decides that he should go to Pylos and Sparta to talk with both King Nestor and King Menelaus. • If Telemachus learns that his father is alive, he should go home and put up with the suitors, knowing his father will be home soon.

5. Book ONE • If Telemachus learns that his father is dead, he should prepare a proper burial for him. • Also, he will have to ask Odysseus’ father Laertes choose a suitor for her to marry (due to arranged marriages) • Telemachus is also informed by Mentor that he will have to kill the suitors who will not leave their home.

6. Book TWOTelemachus Confronts the Suitors • Telemachus calls all of the Greek men together to discuss his problem with the suitors. • During the assembly, Zeus sends two eagles– omens of death– to fly over the suitors. • Halitherses, a prophet, interprets these eagles to mean Odysseus is coming home and will kill the disrespectful suitors.

7. Book TWO • Antinous, the most arrogant suitor, blames Penelope for the problems because she seduces every suitor but will commit to none of them, says Antinous. • Penelope has been tricking the suitors.

8. Book TWO • Penelope has been weaving a burial shroud for Laertes during the day but unraveling it at night. • She will not marry a suitor until the shroud is done. • A maid tells a suitor of Penelope’s trick.

9. Book TWO • Eurycleia, slave and Telemachus’s old nurse/ care-giver, helps him prepare for the trip. • Telemachus begs the nurse not to tell his mother that he has left until some time has passed • Mentor/ Athena finds a crew for Telemachus and they all sail away together.

10. Book THREEThe Visit to Nestor • Telemachus & ship arrive at Pylos, the land of King Nestor. • They arrive during a festival in honor of Poseidon (who is Odysseus’s enemy) • Nestor doesn’t know who Telemachus is and invites him to feast with them • Nestor then asks Telemachus who he is • Telemachus asks Nestor if he has seen Odysseus

11. Book THREE • Nestor praises Telemachus • Nestor says that he & Odysseus were friends • Nestor says that Athena likely helped Odysseus • Telemachus doubts Athena’s power • Athena, disguised as Mentor, assures Telemachus that a god can save a mortal

12. Book FOURThe Visit to Menelaus and Helen • Nestor sends Telemachus and Athena, still disguised as Mentor, to Sparta. • In Sparta, King Menelaus & wife Helen, are back together and happy. • Telemachus doesn’t tell them his identity. • Menelaus reminisces about Odysseus & tells war stories; Telemachus cries • Menelaus says no soldier worked harder than Odysseus & that he doesn’t know if he is alive or dead.

13. Book FOUR • Telemachus cries for his father • Menelaus figures out Telemachus’s identity • Helen says aloud that Telemachus must be the son of Odysseus • They tell Telemachus that they heard that Odysseus is alive & living with the nymph Calypso • The suitors have planned to kill Telemachus when he returns home