The Odyssey
Book 1-2
Book 1: Is Odysseus alive?
Book 2: Tele Sets Sail
Characters
Athena
Odysseus
Telemachus
Penelope
Antinous
Calypso
Lessons Learned in Greek Mythology in Books 1&2
Being Loyal: Penelope waits for her husband after he left for a war 20 years after he left, she stayed loyal all that time. Also Odysseus stays loyal to Penelope even though it wouldn't be uncommon for him to be with servants, etc. This shows that being loyal is important to the Greeks.
Taking Care of your Dead ones: This is shown when Telemachus is giving the speech to everyone in Ithaca when he talks about how if he finds news of his fathers death he will come home and give him the funeral that he deserves before looking for the suitor to wed his mother.
Quotes
“Ah how shameless—the way these mortals blame the gods. From us alone, they say, come all their miseries, yes, but they themselves, with their own reckless ways, compound their pains beyond their proper share." Zeus, page three. This quote is saying that the mortals blame the Gods for all the bad things that happen to them, but Zeus is really saying that it is their fault because they are greedy and care too much about themselves.
You think again. It’s not the suitors here who deserve the blame, it’s your own dear mother, the matchless queen of cunning. Look here. For three years now, getting on to four, she’s played it fast and loose with all our hearts, building each man’s hopes. Antinous, page 21. This is a quote from the leading suitor and it is important because it shows how much Penelope loves Odysseus and how loyal she is being to him. She hasn't seen him in 20 years, but she doesn't want another man.
"Now, if I hear my father’s alive and heading home, hard-pressed as I am, I’ll brave out one more year. If I hear he’s dead, no longer among the living, then back I’ll come to the native land I love, raise his grave-mound, build his honors high with the full funeral rites that he deserves—and give my mother to another husband.” Telemachus, page 25. This is an important quote because people have been waiting for a long time for Odysseus' return. The suitors especially like to hear this because they think that Odysseus is dead, and that one of them will soon marry Penelope and have power over the land. It gives people hope, hope that Odysseus will soon return, or hope that there should be a new ruler of the land.