Books 1-4: The Telemachy

• What is the name of Book 1 of the Odyssey?

  Athene visits Telemachus
• Why is the first paragraph of Book 1 of the Odyssey important?

  It states the narrator is one of the muses, daughters of Zeus and personifications of the arts. It also states that all of Odysseus' crew had been killed by Hyperion after eating his oxen (Transgression).
• Why is the second paragraph of Book 1 of the Odyssey important?

  • It immediately brings up the theme of 'nostos' -homecoming- and states that all other soldiers from the Trojan War had either died (like his crew) or got home.
  • "All the survivors of the war had reached their homes by now"
• Which god hates Odysseus and why?

  • Poseidon
  • Odysseus blinded his son -a cyclops-
• How is the theme of transgression shown in Book 1 of the Odyssey?

  • Zeus states that the issues of mortals is their karma for their actions and that gods should not intervene in their issues
  • "What a lamentable thing it is that men should blame the gods ... when it is their own transgressions which bring them suffering"
• Which example does Zeus give as an example of mortals' transgressions bringing them suffering?

  • Clytemnestra and Aegisthus being murdered by Electra and Orestes
  • "Aegisthus has paid the final price for all his sins"
• What is Athene's plan in Book 1 of the Odyssey?

  1. Send Hermes to Ogyia to force Calypso to let Odysseus be free
  2. Athene will go an install hope into Telemachus
  3. Encourage Telemachus to hold an assembly to speak his mind about the suitors
  4. Send Telemachus to see Pylos to see Nestor and Sparta to see Menelaus and Helen to see if either have heard news on Odysseus' location/wellbeing
• What was Athene's disguise in Book 1 of the Odyssey?

  The Taphian chieftain Mentes
• How does Rieu make Odysseus' Oikos seem in a bad state?


  • The oxen have been slaughtered without the knowledge of him, as have his fatted-goats
  • The Suitors are having regular banquets as opposed to keeping them sacred
  • The Suitors have forced Phemius (The bard) to be there
• How does Telemachus show good xenia?

  • He welcomes Mentes (Athene) and immediately offers her food
  • He offers Athene the better seat
  • He puts away her spear
  • He gives her food before asking why she is there
• How does Telemachus' good xenia contrast the behaviour of the Suitors?


  Telemachus is shown to be civilised and hospitable whereas the Suitors are shown as committing many transgressions and abusing Telemachus' xenia.
• How is sympathy created for Telemachus in Book 1 of the Odyssey?

  • He is unaware that his father is alive, yet he believes that he is dead
  • He has not been able to inherit his father's kleos even though he has been away from Ithaca for 10 years
  • His house has overrunbeen by Suitors
  • "There was a time when this house was by way of being prosperous and respectable"
  • "Wasting my property"
  • "Eating me out of house and home"
• How is Penelope a stereotypical women from Ancient Greece?

  • She stays away from sight
  • She weaves
  • She attempts to be monogamous
  • She follows orders from the head of the househol
• What does Telemachus mean?

  Far from battle
• What does Eurycleia mean?

  Broad fame
• What is the name of book 2 in the Odyssey?

  The debate in Ithaca
• How is Telemachus described immediately in Book 2 of the Odyssey?

  • "Looking like a god"
  • "All eyes were turned on hi, in admiration"
• Why has the description of Telemachus changed in the beginning on Book 2 of the Odyssey? And what technique does this use?

  • "Athene endowed him with such supernatural grace"
  • Physiognomy
• What does Telemachus highlight in his speech at the debate in Book 2 of the Odyssey?

  • The consistent pining after Penelope
  • The suitors abuse of his xenia
  • The eventual fate of the suitors
• How does Telemachus reaction after his speech juxtapose the description of his the page prior and why is that important in Book 2 of the Odyssey?

  • "He burst into tears"
  • It shows he is very emotional about the situation he found himself in and the fact he is somewhat mourning the obscure fate of his father
• How does Antinous reply and what does he highlight in his retort in Book 2 of the Odyssey?

  • "What a temper!"
  • He and the other suitors have been tempted by Penelope and she has been toying with them by weaving and then pulling out all the work each night
• How does Zeus respond to Telemachus stating "I pray that Zeus will bring a day of reckoning" in Book 2 of the Odyssey?

  He sends a omen in the form of two eagles to highlight the foreboding death of the suitors
• Who deciphers the bird omen in Book 2 of the Odyssey?

  Halitherses, an Ithacan prophet
• How do the suitors react to Zeus' bird omen in Book 2 of the Odyssey?

  Eurymachus dismisses it and states not every bird is a harbinger of whats to come
• How do the Suitors react to Telemachus stating he will go to Pylos and Sparta in search of news of his father in Book 2 of the Odyssey?

  The hope he will die on the journey, leaving Penelope to them
• Who does Athene disguise herself as in Book 2 of the Odyssey?

  Mentor
• What quote depicts Athene both figuratively and literally leading Telemachus in Book 2 of the Odyssey?


  "Pallas Athene led the way swiftly, and Telemachus followed in the footsteps of the goddess"
• How does Athene help Telemachus in Book 2 of the Odyssey?

  • She instils him with godlike qualities
  • She provides him with a crew and ship to go to Pylos & Sparta in
• What is the name of Book 3 in the Odyssey?

  Telemachus with Nestor
• Where does Nestor live in Book 3 in the Odyssey?

  Pylos
• Which god are the people of Pylos praying to when Telemachus arrives in Book 3 in the Odyssey?

  Poseidon
• What are the people of Pylos sacrificing to Poseidon when Telemachus arrives in Book 3 in the Odyssey?

  81 Jet Black bulls
• How is the mentor bond between Athene and Telemachus continued on into Book 3 in the Odyssey?

  "Athene leading the way; Telemachus was last to leave"
• How is Telemachus' lack of a father figure growing up showcased when he first meets with Nestor in Book 3 of the Odyssey?

  He is unsure of how to greet him since he did not learn from Odysseus since he has been away
• How is Telemachus' piety shown when he interacts with Athene in Book 3 of the Odyssey?


  He is consistently described as being in her wake as she steps before him
• How is Nestors' xenia showcased when he greets Telemachus and Athene in Book 3 of the Odyssey and how does this give us a description of his character?

  • "I hand this golden beaker to you first" (talking to Athene)
  • It shows that Nestor, and the whole of Pylos, is civilised and are god-fearing people
• What does Athene transform into in Book 3 of the Odyssey?

  A vulture
• How does Nestor react to Athene's transformation in Book 3 of the Odyssey?

  "The old King marvelled at the sight"
• What does Nestor give Telemachus before he rides to Sparta in Book 3 of the Odyssey?

  • A horse-drawn carriage
  • Pesistratus
• What is the name of Book 4 of the Odyssey?

  Menelaus and Helen