Odyssey Books 1-4 Summaries

Odyssey Books 1-4 Summaries

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  The OdysseyBooks 1-4Summariesby Erin Salona
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  Book ONEAthena AdvisesTelemachusHomer’s invocation to the Muses (9 daughters of Zeus worshipped for Inspiration to art and music)The reader learns:Poseidon has stranded Odysseus with Calypso, the nymph Poseidon is upset with Odysseus for poking the Cyclops’ eye outAthena begs Zeus to let Odysseus return to IthacaHermes is sent to free Odysseus from Calypso
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  Book ONEAthena comesto give advice to Telemachus & is disguised as Mentor, a male family friend.Suitors have overrun Odysseus’ home & want to marry his mother, Queen Penelope.Mentor/Athena tells Telemachus to find a boat & to sail to different places asking about his fatherShe tells Telemachus that he should warn off the suitors or kill them upon his return.
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  Book ONEFrom Mentor,Telemachus decides that he should go to Pylos and Sparta to talk with both King Nestor and King Menelaus. If Telemachus learns that his father is alive, he should go home and put up with the suitors, knowing his father will be home soon.
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  Book ONEIf Telemachuslearns that his father is dead, he should prepare a proper burial for him.Also, he will have to ask Odysseus’ father Laertes choose a suitor for her to marry (due to arranged marriages)Telemachus is also informed by Mentor that he will have to kill the suitors who will not leave their home.
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  Book TWOTelemachus Confrontsthe SuitorsTelemachus calls all of the Greek men together to discuss his problem with the suitors.During the assembly, Zeus sends two eagles– omens of death– to fly over the suitors. Halitherses, a prophet, interprets these eagles to mean Odysseus is coming home and will kill the disrespectful suitors.
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  Book TWOAntinous, themost arrogant suitor, blames Penelope for the problems because she seduces every suitor but will commit to none of them, says Antinous.Penelope has been tricking the suitors.
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  Book TWOPenelope hasbeen weaving a burial shroud for Laertes during the day but unraveling it at night.She will not marry a suitor until the shroud is done.A maid tells a suitor of Penelope’s trick.
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  Book TWOEurycleia, slaveand Telemachus’s old nurse/ care-giver, helps him prepare for the trip.Telemachus begs the nurse not to tell his mother that he has left until some time has passedMentor/ Athena finds a crew for Telemachus and they all sail away together.
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  Book THREEThe Visitto NestorTelemachus & ship arrive at Pylos, the land of King Nestor.They arrive during a festival in honor of Poseidon (who is Odysseus’s enemy)Nestor doesn’t know who Telemachus is and invites him to feast with themNestor then asks Telemachus who he isTelemachus asks Nestor if he has seen Odysseus
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  Book THREENestor praisesTelemachusNestor says that he & Odysseus were friendsNestor says that Athena likely helped OdysseusTelemachus doubts Athena’s powerAthena, disguised as Mentor, assures Telemachus that a god can save a mortal
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  Book FOURThe Visitto Menelaus and HelenNestor sends Telemachus and Athena, still disguised as Mentor, to Sparta.In Sparta, King Menelaus & wife Helen, are back together and happy.Telemachus doesn’t tell them his identity.Menelaus reminisces about Odysseus & tells war stories; Telemachus cries Menelaus says no soldier worked harder than Odysseus & that he doesn’t know if he is alive or dead.
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  Book FOURTelemachus criesfor his fatherMenelaus figures out Telemachus’s identityHelen says aloud that Telemachus must be the son of OdysseusThey tell Telemachus that they heard that Odysseus is alive & living with the nymph CalypsoThe suitors have planned to kill Telemachus when he returns home