Telemachy Summaries
Book One- Findings of the Father
Odysseus is lost at sea, for all Telemachus and his mother know. Penelope and Telemachus are back in Ithaca and trying not to let the little light of hope that Odysseus is still alive extinguish. Penelope is being urged by disgusting suitors to marry them, and Telemachus is being cheated out of house and home because of the unwanted guests. Athena disguises herself as Mentes and travels to Telemachus' home because she wants to encourage him to keep the search on for his father. She offers words of wisdom and encouragement, and Telemachus is convinced to travel in order to find out his father’s fate and rid of the suitors crowding his home
Book Two- Telemachus Mans Up
Telemachus sails with Athena, who is in the form of Mentor, to the island of Pylos. When they arrive at Nestor’s palace, where they are having a feast in honor of Poseidon. Telemachus asks Nestor to tell him of his father’s status, whether he is dead or alive and where he is. Nestor tells him that he does not know if his father is dead or anything about his whereabouts. Before Athena leaves, she tells Telemachus and Nestor to send his son, Peisistratus, with Telemachus on a chariot all the way to Sparta to see King Menelaus. After Athena leaves, they all rest and Nestor gives Telemachus a nice tunic and cloak. When they wake the next morning they have another feast in honor of Athena, then the two start their journey to Sparta.
Book Three- In Honor of Poseidon and Athena
Telemachus sails with Athena, who is in the form of Mentor, to the island of Pylos. When they arrive at Nestor’s palace, where they are having a feast in honor of Poseidon. Telemachus asks Nestor to tell him of his father’s status, whether he is dead or alive and where he is. Nestor tells him that he does not know if his father is dead or anything about his whereabouts. Before Athena leaves, she tells Telemachus and Nestor to send his son, Peisistratus, with Telemachus on a chariot all the way to Sparta to see King Menelaus. After Athena leaves, they all rest and Nestor gives Telemachus a nice tunic and cloak. When they wake the next morning they have another feast in honor of Athena, then the two start their journey to Sparta.
Book Four- New Information
Telemachus sails with Athena, who is in the form of Mentor, to the island of Pylos. When they arrive at Nestor’s palace, where they are having a feast in honor of Poseidon. Telemachus asks Nestor to tell him of his father’s status, whether he is dead or alive and where he is. Nestor tells him that he does not know if his father is dead or anything about his whereabouts. Before Athena leaves, she tells Telemachus and Nestor to send his son, Peisistratus, with Telemachus on a chariot all the way to Sparta to see King Menelaus. After Athena leaves, they all rest and Nestor gives Telemachus a nice tunic and cloak. When they wake the next morning they have another feast in honor of Athena, then the two start their journey to Sparta.