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The Odyssey
Books 1-4
ATHENA ADVISES TELEMACHUS
SCENE: Calypso's island (briefly), Olympus (briefly), Ithaca, (mainly)
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS: Gods: Poseidon, Hermes, Athena/Mentes, Zeus
Mortals: Telemachus, Mentes (Athena): King of the Taphians, friend of Odysseus,
Penelope,Eurycleia (nurse) Phemias (the singer), the "suitors," especially Antinous and
Eurymachus.
PAY ATTENTION TO:
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Invocation
Story of Orestes (including Zeus' attitude toward of Aegisthus).
The Gods' discussion of Odysseus. Who is on his side? Who is not? Why?
What Zeus "rules."
Problems of Odysseus: Where is he? Why? How long has he been away?
Athena's disguise.
Youth of Telemachus.
The violation of hospitality
Penelope's situation.
Penelope's actions.
EPITHETS: Who is...
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"The bewitching nymph"
"Son of Cronos"
"Who marshals the thunderheads"
"The clear eyed goddess"
"Cool headed"
QUESTIONS:
1. What do you see as the attitude of the Gods' towards men?
2. What gods are keeping Odysseus from home, and what are their reasons?
3. What do you see as the attitude of the Greeks towards hospitality?
4. What does the poem tell us about events and issues to come?
5. Where is Odysseus being held captive?
6. How would you characterize Telemachus at this point? What are his strengths?
7. What are his weaknesses?
8. What advice does Athena give Telemachus about his father and the suitors?
9. What tragic homecoming story do we hear of? How does it relate to the situation in
Ithaca?
10. Who is Phemius?
11. What is going on in Odysseus' house while he is away? What are some of the ways
the suitors are taking advantage of Odysseus' house and belongings?
12. Describe the character of Telemachus and Penelope. Describe the relationship
between the two.
13. How does Telemachus show strength with Penelope?
14. How does this relate to the visit of Athena?
15. How is the issue of justice raised?
TELEMACHUS CONFRONTS THE SUITORS
SCENE: Ithaca
CHARACTERS: Eurycleia, Mentes/Mentor/Athena, Telemachus, Antinous, Halitherses,
Eurymachus.
PAY ATTENTION TO:
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Athena, goddess of the household who looks over the family.
The economic importance of the household.
The bird omen and the reactions to it.
Assembly and debate.
The "new" Telemachus.
The abuse of and departure of Telemachus.
EPITHETS: Who is...
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"self possessed?"
"Daughter of Zeus?"
What has "rose red fingers?"
QUESTIONS:
1. Why does Telemachus call together the assembly?
2. How do the suitors respond to Telemachus' speech?
3. How did Penelope scheme to avoid being married to one of the suitors? How was the
plan revealed after three years? What is she weaving on her loom? What does all this tell
us about her character?
4. What is the suitor's attitude towards Penelope's reluctance to choose one of them?
5. Why do they think it is their right to "demand" that she choose?
6. What purpose do the two eagles serve?
7. What did Halistherses prophesy about Odysseus' fate? What did people think about
this?
8. What are the two different interpretations of the omen?
9. How do the suitors react to Telemachus' decision to go and find his father?
10. Where is Telemachus journeying to?
11. How does Telemachus respond to the position put forward by Antinous?
12. Do you think Telemachus is acting wisely and maturely or cowardly when he ignores
the suitors' jokes and secretly leaves? Explain.
THE VISIT TO NESTOR
SCENE: Pylos
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS: Telemachus, Athena, Nestor, Pisistratus.
PAY ATTENTION TO:
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The sacrifice to Poseidon at the beginning of the book.
Athena's "prayer to Poseidon.
Respect paid to Odysseus.
Athena's role at the end of the war. Her wrath.
Nestor's hospitality.
The Orestes story again.
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The sacrifice to Athena at the end of the book
EPITHETS:
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Who is "the noble charioteer?"
What is "wine dark?"
QUESTIONS:
1. How does Athena help Telemachus prepare for Nestor?
2. Why is it important for Telemachus to meet Nestor in particular? What does he seem
to represent?
3. Describe some ways in which Telemachus is like his father. How did Nestor describe
him? How does Nestor treat Telemachus?
4. What does Telemachus learn from Nestor about his father?
5. Why is it important for Telemachus to meet Pisistratus?
6. What caused Nestor and his ships to be parted from Odysseus? What does Nestor tell
Telemachus about after they sacked Troy?
7. What happened to Agamemnon when he returned from Troy? Why was Aegisthus'
murder of Agamemnon so horrible?
8. What is the importance of Nestor's stories about the returns (nostoi) of other heroes?
9. When does Telemachus realize Athena is at his side? What does he do after he finds
out?
10. When Telemachus leaves Pylos in a chariot, where is he headed?
11. What does Telemachus learn about himself? about the meaning of being a son? about
the treatment of guests? about sacrifices to the gods?
THE VISIT TO MENELAUS and HELEN
SCENE: Sparta, Ithaca
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS: Telemachus, Menelaus, Helen, Pisistratus, Antinous,
Eurycleia, Penelope, Athena, Proteus, Aegisthus, Orestes, & Medon
PAY ATTENTION TO:
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More Greek hospitality and feasting.
Helen’s contribution to the "meal.”
Menelaus' return from Troy.
What Telemachus learns from Menelaus about Odysseus.
The stories of Troy told by Helen.
Menelaus’ reaction to Helen’s story.
The story of Proteus
The plot to kill Telemachus
EPITHETS: Who is . . .
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"red haired?”
"son of Atreus?”
"the pearl of women?"
"The Old man of the Sea?"
QUESTIONS
1. Whom does Telemachus plan to visit in Lacedaemon (Sparta), and what does he hope
to learn?
2. What does the Old Man of the Sea (Proteus) say has happened to Ajax and Odysseus?
3. What happened to Menelaus on his way home?
4. What does Helen put in the men's drinks and why?
5. How do Menelaus and Helen compare with Nestor as hosts?
6. How do they contrast with the suitors the suitors as guests?
7. Does Helen seem happy to be back home with Menelaus?
8. Do Menelaus and Helen know who Telemachus is at the beginning of the book?
9. What do you make of the relationship between Menelaus and Helen?
10. What is impressive about their palace?
11. Who is Proteus? How does Menelaus catch him? With whose help?
12. What does Menelaus tell Telemachus about Odysseus' whereabouts?
13. Why does Telemachus need to go to two homes, and visit two of the Captains
destroyed Troy?
14 When the suitors discover that Telemachus has left, what do they plan to do?
15. Who informs Penelope about the suitors' plan to kill Telemachus? What else does
she learn about her son?
16. Why is information withheld so frequently (Proteus at first balks, and Penelope's
sister, in a dream, is also reluctant. Why is other information (Helen’s) suspect?