The Odyssey (Introduction-Book Four)

         Webster's definition of Odyssey is "a series of adventurous journeys usually marked by many changes of fortune." This simple definition helps to define the basic structure of Homer's Odyssey. With most older texts controversy arises about the creation and linage of the piece, The Odyssey is no different. Many scholars hold a basic belief that Homer was a master oral epic poet. This basic understanding helps in the dissection of the piece. Oral epic poets were known for improvising their works. They would have a basic story that they would embellish through their telling. Thus being different every time a poem was performed.  Another controversy is debated in connection to the origins of the The Odyssey's written form. The length of the poem would lead to the belief that it originally was created in a written form; however many people of that time period were illiterate. This debate is continually discussed and the main conclusion that is formed focuses on the importance of the magnificence of the story and not the linage.

         The epic starts with Athena bargaining with Zeus for Odysseus' safe travel home. Poseidon has a personally vendetta against Odysseus because he blinded the Cyclops, his only son, and has done everything in his power to through him off course. Back in Ithaca Telemachus, Odysseus' son, gets motivation from Athena to sail to Pylos in order to learn more about his fathers whereabouts. This comes after the house of Odysseus is over run by suitors for the lady of the house. These suitors are warned of the inevitable doom they will face through the use of a bard's songs/stories. This foreshadowing helps the reader to understand how much the suitors take the hospitality of Telemachus for granted. 

      Book Two gives way to the beginning of Telemachus' transformation into a civilized man. He calls together a public meeting that helps him to assert his rights as man of the house. This meetings basic principle is to inform the public of his journey, to learn about his father's fate. The suitors use the meeting as a platform to ridicule the son's authority and in turn are shown bad omens that foreshadow their inevitable doom. Athena helps Telemachus through these troubled times and pushes him to continue on his personal, small, odyssey. When he begins to doubt his ability or means to lead a ship, Athena takes it upon herself to find him a crew. Once a crew was established Telemachus took it upon himself to become the leader that Athena already knew was there. Telemachus has the leadership of his father and it only took the simple persuasion of a mentor (Athena) to bring it out. Throughout this book Athena disguises herself as human. She takes on the name of Mentor, meaning teacher. This name fits the persona creating a balance amongst the outside and inside of her character. This book ends with Telemachus leading his ship outward into the ocean towards Pylos. This imagery is iconic because it resembles that of the beginning of his father's journey home.
        Telemachus learns very little about his fathers whereabouts in Book Three; however, he hears about the war that led up to his father's disappearance. With a little encouragement from Athena, Telemachus is able to ask King Nestor about Odysseus. Sadly, Nestor left Troy with Menelaus while Odysseus stayed behind with his brother, Agamemnon. This book is significant for two reasons. King Nestor, even with out knowledge of Odysseus, is able to advise Telemachus through the use of a story. This story gives way to the death of Clytemnestra, Agamemnon, and Aegisthus. Orestes, Agamemnon's son, kills Clytemnestra and Aegisthus after Aegisthus kills Agamemnon in order to stay married to his the king's (Agamemnon's) wife, Clytemnestra. The importance of this tale is shown through the relevancy of the events. If Penelope (Odysseus' wife) were to give in to a suitor this story could occur again. King Nestor is trying to warn Telemachus of the dangers that can occur when acting in haste. The second significance is seen through the actions of King Nestor and his family. With the first step into the palace walls Telemachus and Athena were treated as guest. They were taken care of and given food and drink without asking. On the other hand they did not try to overrun the king's palace. This balance between host and guest emphasizes the piggishness of the suitors back in Ithaca. The book ends with Telemachus and Pisistratus, King Nestor's son, leaving by land to see King Menelaus.
     The beginning of Book Four starts in a manner of celebration. King Menelaus is celebrating the double wedding of his daughter and son. Telemachus and Pisistratus arrive at the castle and are accepted with open arms. This journey helps Telemachus to see the chaos that has ensued in Ithaca because the suitors lack civility. King Menelaus knows by their appearance that these two travelers are sons of Kings. It is only after the King speaks of his grief for Odysseus that he is able to place Telemachus. By hearing his fathers name Telemachus is overcome with emotion. Enter Helen in all her glory. The queen is blunt with her words and pointedly asks:

                               "To the life he's like the son of great Odysseus,
                                surely he's Telemachus! The boy that hero left
                                a babe in arms at home when all you Achaeans
                                fought at Troy, launching your headlong battles
                                just for my sake, shameless whore that I was." (158-162)

The ending line of this section gives humor to the tragedy of war. Pisistratus speaks for Telemachus in order to explain the princes' predicament. He helps the King to understand the shambles Odysseus' kingdom has fallen into because it lacks proper advisement. The whole room is then run with grief in memory of Odysseus. Helen helped to heal this wound by slipping a drug into the wine. She then delved into stories of the war and how Odysseus infiltrated enemy lines through a disguise in order to gain information. Her story leans towards that of her playing an innocent victim. King Menelaus tells a story in which she is a vixen trying to lure the Greeks out of their magnificent hollow horse. Odysseus was the only one with a clear mind and kept the men quiet. The contrasting portrayals of Helen illustrates the complexity of the King and Queen's relationship. The next morning Telemachus pleads with King Menelaus to tell him about his father's demise. King Menelaus beings his tale with the events that he faced on his journey home. After being trapped on land, Eidothea, daughter of Proteus, informs Menelaus that he must capture Proteus in order to learn how to cross the sea. Through her wisdom Menelaus is able to capture Proteus. This Old Man of the Sea tell Menelaus how to return home safely and the fate of his comrades. The story of Agamemnon's death is told again, this time in more detail. This story is told many times throughout the epic. Its overtones help the reader to understand the difficulties that Telemachus faces. Odysseus' fate is the last to be explained in detail, being the only one alive but in captivity at Calypso's island. With this news, Telemachus and Pisistratus head for Pylos in order for Telemachus to return to Ithaca. Little did Telemachus know that the suitors, that terrorized his house, plotted to kill him while at sea, when learning of his voyage. Penelope, learning of this plan, is overwhelmed with "...a cloud of heartbreak.." (807). Through her worry Athena takes pity on Penelope and sends a phantom in the form of her sister, Iphthime in order to reassure her of her son's safety.

This link is an organized timeline of Homer's epic.

Note: Robert Fagles' translation was used as reference.