The Ancient World (HUM 124 - UNC Asheville)/Texts/Odyssey/Book 2

Summary of Book 2

Book two of The Odyssey: A Dangerous Journey continues on where book one ends in the island of Ithaca amongst the hoard of suitors trying for Penelope’s hand in marriage, and with the start of the young Telemachus planning his voyage given to him by the wise words of Athena to seek out his father (Odysseus). After Athena tells Telemachus in book one that Odysseus will be returning home soon, he decides to call an assembly in book two to officially banish the suitors from his and Odysseus's household. He approaches the assembly “looking just like a god,” (Homer, p.g 120) accompanied by “a bronze sword in his hand, and two swift dogs,” (Homer, p.g 121). In the assembly, a wise elder known as Aegyptius speaks. He begins by praising Odysseus’s son, Telemachus, for justly taking his father’s place and following within his father’s footsteps: “I think he is a helpful, decent man and I hope Zeus rewards his good intentions!” (Homer, p.g 121).

Telemachus is then passed the speaking stick by Pisenor then speaks about the situation at hand involving his father Odysseus, “My family has suffered two disasters. First I lost my father--now even worse my house is being ripped apart!” (Homer, p.g 121). Telemachus is upset and steps down. Antinous then begins to speak calling Telemachus a, “Stuck-up, wilful little boy!”(Homer, p.g 123) and also claims the suitors have not done anything wrong. Telemachus continues to grow more and more upset, and refutes Antinous that he cannot “force his mother out of the house,” (Homer, p.g 124) and cries out to Zeus for help. In response,  Zeus sends two eagles, and the eagles rip each suitor's face and neck. The council continues on, murmuring about the strange omen of the eagles with Old Halitherses speaking on Telemachus’s behalf on his father's soon return; “In the twentieth year he would come home unrecognized,” (Homer, p.g 125). The son of Polybus, Eurymachus, yells at Old Halitherses disagreeing with him on Odysseus possibly being alive and thinks Telemachus should send his mother Penelope home to her father in order to prepare for the suitors. Telemachus grows more agitated, and decides he will not talk to the suitors or the members of the council about his father any longer. Telemachus then asks for a ship with twenty men on his journey to Sparta and Pylos to hear news of Odysseus’s possible return. He promises the suitors if Odysseus is no longer alive he will give his mother a new husband. After some more protests from the suitors and Ithicans (Leocritus) the people of Ithaca return home, while the suitors return to Odysseus’s house.

After the council Telemachus makes his way to the beach and dips his hands in the “grey seawater,” then asks Athena for aid. Athena responds to him and tells Telemachus he will find success on his journey if he is the true son of Odysseus. Telemachus then heads home to a house full of suitors to pack provisions for his trip. Upon arriving back, Antinous mocks Telemachus about the quest he is on, and laughs at the idea of Telemachus murdering the suitors. He heads upstairs where his servant Eurycleia helps him pack. Eurycleia dislikes the idea very much, but Telemachus assures her that “the gods have blessed my plan,” (Homer, p.g 132). In the meantime Athena asks Phronius for a speedy ship for Telemachus’s journey, and then helps assemble a crew as well. Book two concludes with Athena leading Telemachus onward to his journey to find out about his father, Odysseus.

Characters (Glossary terms + Added Descriptions)

Aegyptius - "Noble man of Ithaca, Father of Eurynormus," (Homer, p.554) He also defends Telemachus in this chapter.

Antinous - "A leading suitor whose father, Eupeithes, was protected by Odysseus." (Homer, p.g 556) He is cruel and makes fun of Telemachus, and inevitably is also the first suitor killed by Odysseus.

Athena - "Goddess associated with technical and strategic skill, warfare, weaving, and other kinds of expertise. Her plant is the olive tree, she is associated with birds of prey and has particularly quick sight and is the daughter of Zeus," (Homer, p.g 558). Athena in book two helps out Telemachus by transforming into various animals and people to guide him on finding his father Odysseus. She believes Odysseus ought to return home and defeat the suitors who compete for her hand in marriage.

Eurycleia - "Old slave woman who took care of Telemachus as a baby, she now protects Odysseus's domestic stores," (Homer, p.g 563). In Book two Eurycleia is hesitant on Telemachus going on this journey, but overall helps him get ready and pack for his quest to find the whereabouts of his father.

Eurymachus- "One of the most prominent and vocal of Penelope's suitors," (Homer, p.g 563). Within book two Eurymachus yells at Telemachus, disagreeing with the whereabouts of his father, Odysseus.

Halitherses- "Old Ithacan; son of Mastor. He is noted for his skill in prophecy and augury. He interprets the omen of the two eagles," (Homer, p.g 564). Halitherses also defends Telemachus from the suitors and council within book two.

Icarius - "Father of Penelope and brother of Tyndareus," (Homer, p.g 565). Icarius is also mentioned within book two by his grandson Telemachus, telling the suitors that the honorable thing to d would be to ask him for his daughter's hand in marriage. The suitors do not do this.

Leocritus- "One of Penelope's suitors, and son of Euenor," (Homer, p,g 566). Leocritus is amongst the suitors causing misfortune and chaos in Telemachus's life.

Mentor- "Son of Alcimus, a trusted friend of Odysseus whose identity is assumed by Athena," (Homer, p.g 567). Mentor speaks within the council meeting on Telemachus's behalf, and Athena also disguises herself as Mentor when Telemachus begins his journey into Pylos to find his father Odysseus.

Odysseus - "King of Ithaca, son of Laertes and Anticleia; grandson of Arcesius and Autolycus, father of Telemachus," (Homer, p.g 568). Odysseus does not physically appear within book two, however he is the topic of discussion between Telemachus, the council, and the suitors. Odysseus is the one that inspires Telemachus's journey to find out if he is coming home and if he is still alive. Odysseus is also the main hero of The Odyssey.

Penelope - "Daughter of the Arcadian king Icarius, wife of Odysseus, with whom she has a son, Telemachus," (Homer, p.g 570). Penelope's role within book two serves as the wife of Odysseus whom the suitors are fighting over. She also expresses grief and worry when Telemachus leaves for his journey to find out the truth of his father.

Phronius- "Father of Noemon," (Homer, p.g 571). In book two, Athena asks a favor to Phronius to lend a speedy ship for Telemachus's journey to find Odysseus.

Pisenor- "Telemachus's herold," (Homer, p.g 572). Pisenor hands Telemachus the speaking stick during the council meeting, in which Telemachus begins his monologue about his father and the problems the suitors have caused for him and his family ever since Odysseus's departure.

Polybus- "Father of Eurymachus, one of Penelope's principal suitors. He is also one of Penelope's suitors," (Homer, p.g 572). He does not have a huge role within book two of the odyssey besides being the father of Eurymachus and a suitor of Penelope.

Telemachus - "The only son of Odysseus and Penelope. Telemachus goes in search of his father books 1-4," (Homer, p.g 575). He is the main character within book two, defending himself and is mother from the impolite suitors and starting the quest to find out the truth about his father Odysseus.

Zeus- "The most powerful of the pantheon of Greek gods, associated with masculine power, kingship, fatherhood, and hospitality. The husband of Hera, often linked with eagles," (Homer, p.g 577). In book two Zeus helps Telemachus by sending the omen of the two eagles, in which they attack the suitors during the council meeting.

Ancient worldview

The world view of the roles and relationships between men and women, sons and daughters, and the different classes in ancient greek society play an important part within book two. In book two of The Odyssey there is a notable divide between the role of men and women, children and adults, and the divide of upper and lower class. In this chapter the audience can take note of how the wife of Odysseus and mother of Telemachus, Penelope, is treated. Penelope is seen as an object throughout book two, much like how women of Greece were seen throughout the century. She is even put down by her own son Telemachus in book one. However, within book two the male suitors are the one's to disrespect Penelope (and Telemachus), "Go blame your precious mother! She is cunning. It is the third year, soon it will be four, that she has cheated us of what we want," (Homer, p.g 123). They disrespect her to the point where they do not even consider visiting Penelope's father in asking for her hand in marriage. Antinous says this, along with the other suitors that ultimately show a form of disrespect towards Penelope and Telemachus. Thus, the world view in terms of mortal women within book two is dated in terms of how women are viewed in today's society.

It should also be notable how the suitors treat the flesh and blood of Odysseus, Telemachus. One of the suitors during the council meeting calls Telemachus a, "Stuck-up willful little boy!" (Homer, p.g 123). The way the suitors treat Telemachus also shows the worldview of children not being as important, even though Telemachus is the "man" of the house and the only known child of Odysseus. Another important divide to acknowledge is the divide between social class within book two. Telemachus has a variety of servants and slaves that assist him on his journey, and the majority of them being women. The slaves are obviously treated as less than other higher members of society, and the ancient world view of the Greeks shows us this. However, even though Telemachus is the son of King Odysseus he is still treated poorly due to his father's absence which can show the importance that monarchy and royalty have on the ancient greek's view of the world and their society. To conclude, the ancient worldview of book two should focus on the differences between the characters introduced and how they interact with each other.

Another important worldview to consider within The Odyssey and between the ancient greeks is the idea of polytheism within religion, and the worship of a 'hellenistic pantheon'. Within book two, we can see the appearance of two very important Olympians: Zeus and Athena (the daughter of Zeus). The ancient greeks most know Zeus for being the leader of all the gods, and a god of great power. Athena, is more known as the goddess of wisdom and strategy. Athena appears before Telemachus by disguising as a friend, and transforming into various birds after she gives Telemachus advice on how to uncover the truth of his father, Odysseus. Zeus appears in book two to send an omen to the fighting council members-- by transforming into eagles and attacking the suitors giving Telemachus grief. The appearance of these two gods play a very important part within The Odyssey, demonstrating how polytheism was considered the basic form of religion to the Greeks, as well as two very well known and respected gods appear to help the flesh and blood of Odysseus.