The Odyssey
Books 3-4 Reading Guide
IMAGE: THE JOURNEY OF TELEMACHUS
I. Reading Comprehension Questions
As you read The Odyssey, try to answer all of the questions that follow. As I read, I wrote basic questions about plot, character and conflict. If you can answer everything below, you understand Books 3 & 4!
BOOK THREE:
1. What is the name of the first kingdom visited by Telemachus on his travels?
2. Describe the ceremony taking place when Telemachus and his crew approach their first destination. Which god is this ceremony honoring?
3. When the ship docks at the first destination, Telemachus hangs back for a moment. What advice does Athena give to him? Who is Athena disguised as at this time?
4. Why is Telemachus hesitant to speak with Nestor?
5. How do the inhabitants of Pylos greet Telemachus and his men when they approach the ceremony? Why is this important? (Consider the classical Greek values and beliefs from our background notes…)
6. In response for Telemachus’ inquiry as to his father’s whereabouts, what does Nestor say about telling the story of the Battle of Troy?
7. What does Nestor say about Odysseus’ skills at warfare? What compliment does Nestor pay Telemachus about his manner of speaking?
8. Nestor claims that the gods made homecoming hard for the Greeks after the Trojan war. Why did they do this?
9. Nestor says that Athena is dangerous because she incited a fight to take place between which two men after the battle had ended? Which man took his men to sea early in the morning? Why did he want to leave as soon as possible? Which man elected to have his men stay behind? Why did he want to wait?
10. What happened when some captains in Menelaus’ fleet felt uneasy? Who was amongst the captains that decided take this action?
11. Nestor was another one of Menelaus’ fleet captains. Did he turn back or continue onward? Why did he choose this course of action?
12 Once Nestor reached the island of Geraestus, who did they honor by way of sacrifice? How did they do this?
13. Why is Nestor unable to explain Odysseus’ ultimate whereabouts?
14. Did Agamemnon return home safely from the war? What happened to him?
15. Who is Agamemnon’s son? What does he do after his father returns home? What is Telemachus’ reaction to this, and what does he wish that he could do?
16. After conversing with Nestor, Telemachus is decided that what happened to his father? Why?
17. What is the name of Agamemnon’s wife? Who was in charge of ensuring the wife’s loyalty while Agamemnon was in Troy? What happened to this man?
18. For how many years did Aegisthus rule over Agamemnon’s kingdom before his son’s return and revenge?
19. Nestor warns Telemachus to not dawdle in his travels – why?
20. What do Nestor and the other men of Pylos offer to Athena as a sacrifice?
21. To where will Telemachus and some of Nestor’s men travel next? How will they get there?
BOOK FOUR:
1. What is the festive occasion in Menelaus’ palace when Telemachus arrives? What is the name of Menelaus’ daughter? What is the name of Menelaus’ wife? Why is she significant, overall?
2. What is the name of Nestor’s son who has accompanied Telemachus on his journey to Sparta?
3. As Nestor’s son and Telemachus wait at the gate of Sparta, Menelaus’ chamberlain notices the men. What is Menelaus’ reaction when the chamberlain asks whether or not they should be admitted?
4. What did Menelaus offer to Telemachus and his traveling friend during the feast? For who was this item usually reserved?
5. As they sit at the feast, at what is Telemachus amazed (think of his reaction to the surroundings…) Menelaus overhears this comment – what is his reply? For how many years did he wander in search of his riches? However, why does Menelaus take no delight in his riches?
6. For what does Menelaus sometimes weep? For whom does he lament the most? Why? What is Telemachus’ reaction to this?
7. Who is the first person in Sparta to recognize the identify of Telemachus? How is she/he able to tell Telemachus’ identity?
8. What would Menelaus have offered to Odysseus if he had arrived home safely from Troy? What reason does Menelaus give for Odysseus not returning home?
9. How does Helen stop everyone’s sorrow?
10. Helen tells the story of how she met Odysseus in Troy – what is it?
11. After she spoke with Odysseus in Troy, did Helen want to return home? Why or why not?
12. How does Menelaus react to the suitors’ actions in Ithaca? What does he predict will eventually happen?
13. Who is Proteus? What does Menelaus ask him? What is the response? Be sure to include the names of the two Greek captains who perished, and the one who survived. Where is the captain that survived? Why is he there? Why can he not return?
14. Menelaus wishes for Telemachus to visit for how many days? What items does he offter Telemachus? What is Telemachus’ response? What gift does Menelaus offer instead? By whom was it forged?
15. While Telemachus is in Sparta, what are the Ithacan suitors doing? What are the names of the two lead suitors?
16. Did the suitors really believe that Telemachus had set sail for Pylos? Why are they confused about Mentor? What do they decide will ultimately happen to Telemachus (what is their plan for Telemachus)?
17. Did Penelope know that Telemachus had set sail? How does she react when she discovers the truth? To whom will Penelope go to speak about these developments regarding Telemachus?
18. Who admits to knowing of Telemachus’ plan to sail? What does she advise for Penelope to do instead of talking to Laertes? Of what does she assure Penelope in regards to Telemachus?
19. What phantom does Athena send to Penelope in order to ease her worries about Telemachus? Who does this phantom identify as Telemachus’ guide on his journey? Does the phantom disclose the fate of Odysseus? Why or why not?
20. At the end of Book 4, where are the suitors? What are they waiting to do?