The Odyssey

Book  2 ~ Study Guide

from John McIlvain

An Overview for the Student Book-by-Book Study Guide Literary Responses to the Odyssey

Image source: http://www.beloit.edu/~classics/main/courses/classics100/museum2/art_museum2.html

Note: This site is designed to be used with Robert Fagles' translation of the Odyssey, published by Penguin USA. It was prepared for a 9th grade English class.

Books:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

TELEMACHUS SETS SAIL

SCENE: Ithaca

CHARACTERS: Eurycleia, Mentes/Mentor/Athena, Telemachus, Antinous, Halitherses, Eurymachus.

In Book 2, Athena, disguised as Mentor, arranges for Telemachus to take a trip to find out from Nestor, one of the Greek Captains in the Trojan War, ostensibly to find out if Odysseus is still alive. In the Book Telemachus surprises both Penelope and the suitors by his newly decisive behavior. He does not, however, tell his mother of his plans, knowing she would try to stop him.

PAY ATTENTION TO:

• Athena, goddess of the household who looks over the family.
• The economic importance of the household.
• The bird omen and the reactions to it.
• Assembly and debate.
• The "new" Telemachus.
• The abuse of and departure of Telemachus.

EPITHETS: Who is...

• "self possessed?"
• "Daughter of Zeus?"
• What has "rose red fingers?"

QUESTIONS:

1. What is the suitor's attitude towards Penelope's reluctance to choose one of them?
2. Why do they think it is their right to "demand" that she choose?
3. What are the two different interpretations of the omen?
4. How does Telemachus respond to the position put forward by Antinous?

QUOTES TO REMEMBER:

"You should be ashamed yourselves, mortified in the face of neighbors living round about! Fear the god's wrath – before they wheel in outrage make these crimes of yours recoil on your heads."	(69)
"So by day she'd weave at her great and growing web – by night, by the light of torches placed beside her, she would unravel all she's done. Three whole years she deceived us, seduced us with this scheme."	(114)
"Not one could equal Penelope for intrigue but in this case she intrigues beyond all limits."	(134)
And to seal his prayer, farseeing Zeus sent down a sign. He launched two eagles soaring high from a mountain ridge and down they glided, borne on the wings draft a moment, wing to wingtip, pinions straining taut till just above the assembly's throbbing hum they whirled, suddenly, wings thrashing, wild onslaught of wings and banking down at the crowd's heads - a glaring, fatal sign – talons slashing each other, tearing cheeks and throats they swooped away on the right through homes and city.	(164)
"Telemachus, you'll lack neither courage nor sense from this day on, not if your father's spirit courses through your veins. "	(302)
"But now that I'm full grown and can hear the truth from others, absorb it, too – now, yes, that anger seethes inside me... I'll stop at nothing to hurl destruction at you heads, whether I go to Pylos or sit right here at home."	(348)
A wail of grief, and his fond old nurse (Eurykleia) burst out in sobbing.	(399)

Odyssey Guide