book 1

• it is 10 years since the Trojan War ended
• all the heroes except Odysseus have returned home
• he is being kept on the island of Ogygia by Calypso
• back in Ithaca, Penelope is still waiting for him to return, and coping with the Suitors, who have besieged the palace
• Telemachus is in despair, thinking that his father must be dead
• at the council of the gods, Athene asks Zeus to allow Odysseus to return home
• Zeus agrees and she goes to Ithaca in disguise
• she tells Telemachus that he should try to get news of his father
• she fills him with strength and confidence
• the bard sings about Greek warriors returning from Troy
• Penelope is upset and asks him to sing something else
• Telemachus with his new-found boldness rebukes her
• he tells the Suitors that he will order them to leave
• he goes to bed and ponders on Athene's advice