Book Four
BOOK FOUR

Telemachus and Peisistratus, Nestor’s son, arrive at Sparta
and are ushered up to the royal palace to meet Menelaus.

Telemachus is over-awed by the splendour and richness of his
palace. Both visitors are bathed and are given food. Menelaus
recalls the great Odysseus and when Helen arrives on the
scene, she immediately recognises Telemachus as Odysseus’
son.
Menelaus says that this wealth does not console him for the
loss of so many friends killed at Troy or the death of his
brother. Menelaus’ brother Agamemnon was treacherously
murdered before the king of Sparta had returned from Troy. He
also mentions the loss of Odysseus and declares he does not
know whether he is alive or dead.

BOOK FOUR

What follows next is a lot of reminiscing and weeping for the
heroes of the war. Helen even mixes a comfort drug in
Telemachus’ wine to keep his loss and pain at bay.

Telemachus hears two stories about Odysseus exploits at
Troy. These are told by Helen, an eye witnesses to that illfated war. These are both stories that enhances Odysseus’
reputation as an epic hero and a thrill his young son’s ears.
The news that Odysseus maybe still alive is also very
welcome.
BOOK FOUR

She tells them about the time Odysseus snuck into Troy
dressed as a beggar, only Helen noticed him. She recognised
him and gave him a bath and some clothes. Odysseus told
her about the Greek plans – he returned to his ship having
got a “great deal of information.”

Menelaus also tells Telemachus what Odysseus did inside
the wooden horse. While the Greek were inside the horse,
Helen came up and prompted by a god, circled around the
wooden horse calling out the names of the captains inside,
mimicking the voices of their wives. Odysseus “held” the men
back from leaving or replying to these voices and put his
hand over their mouths “and so saved the whole army”.
BOOK FOUR

The next morning Telemachus tells Menelaus about the
situation at Ithaca. The king is appalled at this and assures
the boy that the suitors will meet a grisly fate at the hands of
Odysseus.

Menelaus tells the boys about his own journey home. Firstly,
he was held up in Egypt then on the island of Pharos. Here a
friendly sea Nymph, Eidothea, told him to visit Proteus, the
old man of the sea. This prophet informed Menelaus about
the fate of Agamemnon and Ajax (both dead). He was also
told that Odysseus was held on the island of Calypso.
BOOK FOUR

Telemachus is given splendid gifts including a Phoenician bowl.
(Note the theme of hospitality!)

Back at Ithaca the suitors plot to kill Telemachus. Penelope
hears about her son’s trip to Pylos and of the assassination
plot and is extremely distressed.

This episode reinforces the immorality of the suitors, who are
behaving in an underhand and sneaky manner. Another act
that reflects badly on their character.
BOOK FOUR

Athene comes (disguised as Penelope’s sister) to
comfort an anguished Penelope.

Some suitors set off in a ship to ambush the returning
Telemachus, between Ithaca and the straits of
Salmas.

The book ends with the suitors at sea on the look out
for Telemachos.
BOOK FOUR
Important Points

In books 3-4 Telemachus enjoys the fruits of
hospitality from Menelaus and Nestor. The
theme of Xenia (hospitality) is a consistently
developed throughout the epic and its best
adherents are on display in these books.
QUESTIONS
Book 4
1. What does Telemachus learn about Odysseus
during his visit to Sparta?
2.
What do the suitors plan to do at the end of
the book?
3.
How does the visit to Pylos and Sparta help
Telemachus?