The Odyssey: Telemachus Seeks News of Odysseus

Telemachus' Journey Begins

• Telemachus and his friends set sail with Athena, disguised as Mentor, at the helm.

Arrival at Pylos

• The voyagers arrive during ceremonies honoring Poseidon.
• Athena encourages Telemachus to seek news of Odysseus from King Nestor.
• Telemachus expresses hesitation due to his inexperience in speaking with elders.
• Athena assures Telemachus that the right words will come to him.

Meeting with Nestor

• Nestor is found sitting with his sons as people prepare a feast.
• Nestor's son, Peisistratus, greets Telemachus and Athena.
• Nestor pours wine and requests a prayer to Poseidon before passing the cup.
• Athena, as Mentor, offers the prayer, followed by Telemachus.
• Nestor inquires about the strangers' origins and purpose after they eat and drink.

Telemachus' Plea to Nestor

• Telemachus confidently asks Nestor about Odysseus, revealing they seek news of him.
• Telemachus requests that Nestor relay any news of Odysseus' fate without softening the tale.
• Nestor shares his memories of the long years of siege and battle at Troy and acknowledges the loss of heroes like Achilles and Patroclus.
• Nestor acknowledges Telemachus as Odysseus' son and recalls Odysseus as a dear friend.

Rumors and Suitors

• Nestor explains that he only knows of the fates of other Greeks through rumor, as disasters occurred after the war.
• Telemachus reveals the evil deeds of the suitors vying to marry his mother in Ithaca.
• Telemachus expresses his desire for the strength to avenge these wicked men.
• Nestor wishes Athena would befriend Telemachus as she did Odysseus, so he may punish the suitors.

Doubts and Encouragement

• Telemachus doubts that even the gods' will could bring about the change of circumstances he needs.
• Athena, disguised as Mentor, reminds Telemachus that the gods have the power to bring someone home from afar, but death is inevitable.

Journey to Sparta

• Nestor advises Telemachus to seek news of Odysseus from Menelaus in Sparta.
• Nestor offers Telemachus a chariot, horses, and his son's guidance for the journey.
• Telemachus and Athena initially decline Nestor's offer of lodging and prepare to return to their ship.
• Nestor insists that Telemachus stay with him, citing his friendship with Odysseus.
• Athena agrees that Telemachus should go with Nestor but states she will stay with the crew.

Athena's Revelation

• The speaker vanishes and transforms into a great eagle, leaving everyone amazed.
• Nestor recognizes that it was Athena and declares that the gods favor Telemachus.
• Telemachus receives a bath and new clothes and is prepared to go to Sparta in the morning.
• Telemachus departs for Sparta in a chariot with Nestor's son, Peisistratus.

Arrival in Sparta

• Telemachus and Peisistratus arrive in Sparta and halt outside King Menelaus' palace.
• Feasting is underway for the upcoming marriages of two of the king's children.
• The steward notices the visitors and informs Menelaus.
• Menelaus expresses anger at the question, citing their shared experiences of seeking hospitality.
• Menelaus instructs the steward to invite the strangers to feast with them.

Hospitality in Sparta

• The steward leads Telemachus and Peisistratus into the palace.
• They are provided with baths, new clothes, and a table with bread, meat, and wine.
• Menelaus welcomes them and says he will ask who they are and where they come from after they have refreshed themselves.
• Telemachus remarks on the splendor of the palace, comparing it to Zeus' palace on Olympus.
• Menelaus overhears Telemachus and says his heart is sad when he thinks of those who perished on the plain of Troy.

Revelation of Identities

• Menelaus speaks of Odysseus' hardships and mentions his wife Penelope and son Telemachus.
• Telemachus weeps at the mention of his father.
• Helen recognizes Telemachus' resemblance to Odysseus and realizes it is Telemachus whom Odysseus left as a child, when, for her sake, the Greeks began their war against Troy.

Confirmation

• Menelaus sees the likeness as well; Odysseus also wept when Menelaus mentioned Odysseus.
• Peisistratus confirms that Telemachus is Odysseus' son and states that Peisistratus is Nestor's son.
• Menelaus welcomes Telemachus and acknowledges the hardships endured by Odysseus for his sake.
• Telemachus weeps, thinking of his father as either dead or lost, and Helen sheds tears remembering what had happened.
• Menelaus and Peisistratus are silent and sad, thinking of Odysseus, his troubles, and Antilochus, respectively.
• Telemachus stays in Menelaus' house for many days, learning about the events at Troy and his father's deeds.

Menelaus' Tale

• After sacking King Priam's city, great suffering befell the Greeks; some sailed away while others remained with King Agamemnon.
• The group parted ways, and death came to many including Agamemnon, who was slain in his own house.
• Menelaus recounts what Proteus told him during his homeward journey.

Proteus' Prophecy

• Odysseus was on a faraway island, held against his will by the nymph Calypso.
• Odysseus was known for his plans and was favored by Athena.
• Menelaus assures Telemachus that his father will reach his home and country.

Athena's Guidance

• Athena appears to Telemachus later that night and tells him it is time to return home.

Farewell and Gifts

• Telemachus tells Menelaus of his desire to return home, and Menelaus agrees.
• Menelaus and Helen give Telemachus gifts, including a two-handled cup, a silver bowl, and an embroidered robe.
• Helen says as the eagle came down from the hill and killed a goose from the farmyard, Odysseus will kill the suitors.
• Zeus is asked to grant that this happens.

Suitors' Plot

• Telemachus returns to Ithaca
• Meanwhile, Antinous and Eurymachus discuss Telemachus's journey with Noemon, who provided the ship.
• Noemon asks when Telemachus will return from Pylos so he asked for the ship he loaned.
• The suitors are surprised, believing Telemachus was on a nearby farm.
• Antinous plans to ambush Telemachus in the narrow sea near Ithaca with twenty men.
• The Suitors vow to cut short his adventures getting news of his father
• Medon, hiding behind a fence, overhears the plan.

Penelope's Grief

• Medon informs Penelope of Telemachus's journey and the suitors' plot against him.
• Penelope grieves the potential loss of her son.
• Penelope cries and laments never hearing about Telemachus leaving and questions her handmaidens for not telling her about his journey.
• Eurycleia tells her she knew but swore an oath not to tell Penelope.
• Eurycleia tells Penelope to pray to Athena for her son's safety.
• Penelope is comforted, goes to the upper chamber with her handmaidens, prays to Athena, and collapses exhausted.

Athena's Comfort

• Athena sends a vision in the form of Penelope's sister to comfort her and assure her that Telemachus has a mighty helper, Athena.
• Penelope is refreshed and comforted by the vision.

Ambush Preparation

• Antinous gathers twenty men at nightfall to board a ship.
• Antinous will anchor in the strait between Ithaca and a neighboring island to await Telemachus's arrival.

Telemachus, guided by Athena, sails to Pylos to seek news of his father, Odysseus. They arrive during ceremonies for Poseidon and meet King Nestor. Telemachus confidently asks Nestor about Odysseus, hoping for any information regarding his fate.