Notes and Highlights
ODYSSEY BOOKS 1-4
BOOK 1 HIGHLIGHTS
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Invocation to the Muse
Athena’s plea to Zeus to allow Odysseus to return home from Ogygia
(Calypso’s island)
Zeus agrees, but the trip must be arduous since Odysseus angered
Poseidon
Athena goes to Ithaca (as Mentes) to spur Telemachus to validate
that his father (Odysseus) is still alive (and to help usher him into
manhood)
The suitors are awaiting Penelope’s hand in marriage, and abusing
the code of hospitality
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Antinous and Eurymachus
Penelope hears the bard’s song about the suffering warriors
returning from Troy, and Telemachus rebukes her emtions
Telemachus calls an asembly
BOOK 1 – PAY ATTENTION TO
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Epic conventions (like the invocation)
Story of Orestes (including Zeus’ attitude toward
Aegisthus)
The Gods’ discussion of Odysseus. Who is on his side?
Who is not? Why?
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 and her actions.
BOOK 2 HIGHLIGHTS
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At the assembly, Telemachus demands that the suitors
leave
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Suitors claim that Penelope is to blame
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First time the assembly has been called since Odysseus left
Her “weaving” trick
Bird omen – two eagles locked in combat
Athena (disguised as Mentor) persuades Telemachus to
journey to Pylos and Sparta
Athena (disguised as Telemachus) recruits a crew for his
departure
Telemachus only tells Eurycleia
BOOK 2 – PAY ATTENTION TO
Athena, goddess of the household who looks
over the family
 The bird omen and the reactions to it
 Assembly and debate
 The “new” Telemachus
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BOOK 3 HIGHLIGHTS
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Arriving at Pylos, Telemachus observes the sacrifice to
Poseidon
Athena (as Mentor) gives Telemachus the courage to speak
to Nestor
We learn that:
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Nestor left with Menelaus
Odysseus stayed with Agamemnon
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Orestes story
Telemachus must travel to Sparta with Pisistratus (Nestor’s son)
Athena reveals her goddess form and stays behind to protect
the ships
Sacrifice to Athena
BOOK 3 – PAY ATTENTION TO
Sacrifices (Poseidon/Athena)
 Athena’s “prayer” to Poseidon
 Respect paid to Odysseus
 Athena’s role at the end of the war
 Nestor’s hospitality
 The Orestes story (again)
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BOOK 4 HIGHLIGHTS
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When they arrive at Sparta, a wedding is taking place, but
both Menelaus and Helen welcome them
While feasting, Menelaus and Helen tell stories of the Trojan
War, especially stories relating to Odysseus
Menelaus tells of his journey home and being stranded in
Egypt
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Captures Proteus, who reveals
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The fate of Agamemnon and Ajax
Odysseus stranded on Calypso’s island
Meanwhile, back in Ithaca, the suitors learn of Telemachus’s
voyage and they plan to ambush him
Penelope learns of the suitor’s plan and she fears she will
lose both her son and her husband
Athena (disguised as Penelope’s sister, Iphthime) comforts
her
BOOK 4 – PAY ATTENTION TO
More Greek hospitality and feasting
 Helen’s contribution to the “meal”
 Menelaus’s return from Troy
 What Telemachus learns from Menelaus about
Odysseus
 The stories of Troy
 The story of Proteus (especially Ajax & Odysseus)
 The plot to kill Telemachus
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