Timeline of The Odyssey Books 1 4 By

Timeline of The Odyssey (Books 1 -4) By Ben Moore

At the Manor of Odysseus Athena arrives at the palace of Odysseus, while Odysseus is still away, which leaves Telemakhos to deal with the suitors. The suitors have been consuming the palace's livestock while waiting for Penelope, Odysseus’s wife, to choose one of them as a husband Athena gives Telemakhos advice to leave the palace to Pylos and Sparta to search for news of his father. “He [Telemakhos] led the way, and Pallas Athena followed/into the lofty hall. ”(I. 5. 155 -156)

Telemakhos and the Suitors After Athena leaves, Penelope is found upset because of a song that the bard is playing about the heroes returning from Troy. This reminds her of Odysseus who has still not returned. The next day Telemakhos has a meeting with the suitors, to demand that they leave the palace. Lacking authority, Telemakhos is rebuked by the suitors who refuse to leave. “But if your [the suitors] hearts are capable of shame, / leave my great hall…” (2. 23. 147 -148)

Telemakhos’ Journey Telemakhos leaves the palace on his quest, telling only his nurse Eurykleia of his intentions, while Athena, disguised as an old friend of Odysseus, gathers up a crew to sail with him. The crew sails to Pylos where they find King Nestor, making a huge sacrifice of black bulls to Poseidon. On the shore / black bulls were being offered by the people / to the blue-maned god…” (3. 35. 7 -9)

A meeting at Pylos Athena gives Telemakhos courage to ask Nestor about his father, who reveals he knows nothing about his whereabouts. He tells Telemakhos about the ending of he Trojan war, and what transpired there. He sends Telemakhos on towards King Menelaus in Sparta, with a plea that the palace will return to normal, and his son to accompany him on the journey. It is here that Athena reveals her divine status, when she transforms from her disguise as a crew member into an eagle. “Not the least shyness, now, Telemakhos. ” (3. 35. 16 -17)

A Visit with King Menelaus Upon arriving at Sparta, King Menelaus and his wife Helen recognize that Telemakhos is the son of Odysseus, through his resemblance. The group tells stories with each other, remembering the greatness of Odysseus, until Menelaus tells him news of his father. On a separate journey, Menelaus discovered that Odysseus was still alive, but imprisoned on the island of Ogygia by Kalypso Telemakhos goes back to Sparta to his ship with gifts from Menelaus, so he can return to Ithaca with news. Odysseus is here. “Never, anywhere, have I seen so great a likeness / in a man or woman- but it is truly strange! / This boy must be the son of Odysseus. ” (4. 57. 152 -154)

Meanwhile… The suitors find out about Telemakhos journey and immediately plan among themselves how to kill Telemakhos when he returns. Athena sends a vision to Penelope, when she finds out about the suitors plans, to calm her down from the thought of losing Telemakhos in addition to Odysseus. “What devilment will he be up to next time? - / Zeus blast the life out of him before he’s grown. / Just give me a fast ship and twenty men. ” (4. 72. 714716)