The Odyssey  Book Two "Telemachus Sets Sail" pp. 93- 106 Reading Comprehension Quiz 1. Whom does Telemachus resemble as he strides into the assembly? 2. How does Telemachus end his address to the assembly? 3. What ruse has Penelope used to postpone her choice of a new husband? 4. What sign does Zeus send to hearten Telemachus? 5. How is Telemachus able to convince men much older than he is to join his crew? Extra Credit: Define kleos and xenia. Essay Exercise:  1. Take this summary of the action of Book Two, and find excellent quotes from the text to support this particular analysis of the events. 2. Find a good topic sentence to summarize Homer's artistic intentions in this section of his epic. Then write a concluding paragraph summing up this particular analysis of Book Two Part One: The Assembly (pp. 93-95) Telemachus calls an assembly of the people of Ithaca- the first great assembly called since Odysseus left for Troy. There Telemachus publicly accuses the suitors of deliberately wrecking his home. He argues that the suitors are not truly interested in Penelope's hand in marriage. Instead they want to divide Odysseus' wealth among themselves. (see l. 60: Ikarios) At first Telemachus' argument succeeds. His appearance suggests royalty. With Athena's aid, he majestically assumes his father's seat, conveying the powerful bearing and seriousness of purpose that commands respect from his subjects. Telemachus begins his speech eloquently, complaining of the suitors' ill treatment of himself and his mother, but by the end of his speech Telemachus has lost his composure. (The Greeks called the anxiety one feels speaking in public as aidos.) He concludes his speech in tears of frustration, complaining of his inability to do anything to help his family. He throws his staff, a symbol of authority, to the ground.  (pp. 96-97) Despite losing his temper, Telemachus does succeed in getting the suitors to show their true colors before the people of Ithaca. Antinoos admits the truth of Telemachus' complaint but blames all on Penelope's intransigence. Even while insulting her, Antinoos indirectly compliments Penelope's intelligence- referring to the ruse she has used to postpone her decision to choose a new husband. Each day Penelope weaves an elaborate funeral shroud for Laertes, Odysseus' father, but each night she secretly unweaves most of what she has accomplished the previous day. (pp. 98-101) It would have been to the suitors' advantage to allow Telemachus the opportunity to travel in search of news of his father. At least that would have broken the stalemate. But their thinking is clouded by the appearance of Zeus' eagles- omens of Odysseus eventual return. Halisthernes' interpretation of the omen rattles them. Eurymakhos' response is to make a crude threat of violence. Leokritus voices bald disdain of the gods, pointing to the suitors' superior numbers. These responses are indicative of the suitors' recklessness and over confidence. Their arrogance will lead to their deaths. Leokritus sarcastically suggests that Mentes and Halisthernes themselves lead the crew for Telemachus' journey- they are old men. Ironically Mentes will do just that- infused by Athena's spirit. Part Two: Telemachus Takes the Plunge: Farewell to House and Home (pp. 102- 104) In the second half of Book Two, on the eve of his departure, Telemachus takes some significant steps towards rebuilding his self-confidence. He rebuffs Antinoos'oily offer of reconciliation- to have done so would have left him intolerably in the villain's debt. The suitors are flippant toward Telemachus. They openly ridicule him and say that he will fail to muster a crew, but privately they are worried. He is acting like his father and that means trouble! Telemachus takes control of the preparations for the expedition. (Mentor, Athena in disguise, reminds Telemachus that his success will depend upon behaving as his father would have done in this situation.)  (pp. 104- 105) Telemachus rebuffs his nurse Eurykleia's plea that he not risk danger with this journey. He is moving beyond the influence of his childhood nurse and his fear of the suitors by putting his faith in Athena's advice. He does not tell his mother of his plans; perhaps she would have convinced him to stay at home and protect her. He does not know for sure that Mentes' or Mentor's advice truly was divinely inspired; he must trust his instincts. (pp. 105-106) Meanwhile Athena disguises herself as Telemachus and is able to raise a crew among the sailors at the dock. She puts the drunken suitors to sleep and awakens her charge before dawn so that he and his crew can slip secretly away.