The Odyssey Book Summaries Summary of Book Three

The Odyssey Book Summaries

Summary of Book Three � While at Pylos, Mentor (Athena in her disguise) and Telemachus witness a bull sacrifice to Poseidon. � Mentor then encourages Telemachus to speak to Nestor, the king of Pylos, about Odysseus. Nestor has no information on Odysseus’s condition at the moment but tells him all he knows from the time after the fall of Troy. Nestor then tells Telemachus of the story of Agamemnon (the husband of Helen of Troy) and how it is a good example for him to follow. � Athena then transforms into an eagle and protects Telemachus’ ship on their next journey.

Summary of Book Four � When Telemachus reaches Sparta, the king and queen are celebrating the separate marriages of their son and daughter. They happily greet him and soon recognize him as Odysseus’s son. They begin to tell the story of Odysseus’s cunning in the battle of Troy, and the king tells the famous story of the Trojan Horse, which was Odysseus’s idea. � The next day, the king tells Telemachus that Proteus told him that Odysseus was alive and held prisoner by Calypso on her island. � Back at Odysseus’s house, the suitors learn of Telemachus’ journey and plan to ambush him when he returns. Penelope begins to fear for her son, but Athena reassures her that he will be protected.