Book 1

• Muse – goddess of inspiration, e.g., “tell me, muse.”
• Telemachus – “god-like youth” – offering food and drink to a disguised Athene -> clear juxtaposition to suitors. 
• Suitors come “swaggering” in when a feast for Athene, in Xenia tradition, is served, and eat everything, then begin dancing (which was bad). 
• Telemachus assumes that Odysseus is dead. 
• Athene and disguises: 

  • Testing – she comes to Ithaca to see how Telemachus acts to his guest => moral character
  • Wants to determine how much Telemachus is like his father – how he would respond, how he would learn to take control and be a king. 
  • Wants to know what he thinks of Odysseus – repeatedly talks about Odysseus and Telemachus’ responsibility as his son – FATHER/SON relationship is regarded as the most important form. 
• Telemachus is presented as the “worthy” son of Odysseus - “god-like” – but unlike Odysseus, he has made himself almost powerless -> he should be regent king in his father’s absence. => feels SHAME - great virtue in ancient Greece. 
• Athene’s plan: 

  • Telemachus should make an announcement in front of the gods and the Achaean lords and tell the suitors to go away for a bit. 
  • If Penelope wanted to remarry, she could go back to her family and if they wanted her, they would gather another dowry. 
  • Choose a good ship and find Odysseus.
  • Find Nestor or Menelaus, as they were the last to return home from Troy. 
  • If he really is dead, build a burial mound with proper burial rights, and give Penelope away to a new husband. 
• Penelope’s veil -> shows modesty => rejection of suitors

  -> ideal wife for the Greeks

  -> cries when she hears the song about the war of troy => loyalty