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The Odyssey
Morgan - English 9
Book III Summary
On the morning of the third day, Telemachus arrives in Pylos, kingdom of aged Nestor,
who had fought in the Trojan War. Telemachus and his guide Athena, still in the form of
Mentor, are welcomed by the Pylians, who are sacrificing a bull to Poseidon, god of the
sea. Telemachus identifies himself and announces his mission. Nestor’s reply is
characteristically lengthy: he reports the homecoming of the heroes of Troy, relating the
murder of Agamemnon by his wife, Clytemnestra, and his cousin and her lover,
Aegisthus, and the revenge of Agamemnon’s son, Orestes, who slew the murderers of his
father. Agamemnon’s brother, Menelaus, was unable to intervene, for unfavorable winds
had carried him to Egypt. Nestor bids Telemachus visit Menelaus at Sparta and offers
him, on Athena’s suggestion, a chariot and his son, Pisistratus, as companion.
Telemachus spends the night at Nestor’s palace and, after a sacrifice, travels throughout
the fourth day and part of the fifth to Sparta.
Book IV Summary
On the evening of the fifth day, they arrive at Menelaus’ palace, where his daughter’s
wedding is in progress. Menelaus is amazingly wealthy but unhappy over the fates of the
heroes of Troy. He mentions his old friend Odysseus many times, not knowing
Telemachus is his son as a guest is not questioned before dining. His wife, Helen,
recognizes Telemachus by his resemblance to Odysseus and pours a potion into the wine
to ease the grief of all. She tells a story about Odysseus in Troy; Menelaus answers with
a tale of Odysseus’ cunning while in the wooden horse. The next morning Menelaus tells
how Eidothea, a sea-nymph, daughter of the sea-god Proteus, helped him escape the
island of Pharos, where he was stranded. In seal-skins for disguise, following her
instructions, Menelaus and his men trapped and held fast Proteus, who could assume any
shape. Proteus was forced to tell Menelaus his destiny, with information about other
heroes, including the murder of Agamemnon and the fact that Odysseus is alive but held
captive by the nymph Calypso.
Back at Ithaca, the suitors (led by Antinous and Eurymachus) learn of Telemachus’ trip
and plan an ambush at the island of Samos. Penelope hears of their plot, but Athena
assures her in a dream of her son’s return.