Athene Visits Telemachus

Athene Visits Telemachus

   Odyssey is stuck on the island of Ogygia with the Nymph Calypso, who has fallen in love with him and wouldn’t let Odyssey go back to Ithaca.  Ithaca is where he lived and where he left his wife and son, who he is longing to see after 10 years. In Ithaca, a mob of Suitors are devouring his estate and trying to marry his wife Penelope, to gain his kingdom. Athene comes, with Zeus’ permission, to visit Telemachus. She, in the form of Odyssey’ old friend Mentes, encouraged him to talk to the Suitors and announce their banishment from his father’s estate. Athene then tells Telemachus to go to Pylos and Sparta to find news about his father. After this, Telemachus has such a talk with his mother. Then he has another “surprising” with the Suitors.

  Here, I feel quite thrilled! The story starts off with a shock. Here, Athene is helpful to Telemachus, which isn’t usual. She’s actually an inaffable goddess. But, I can sense that she’s helpful also.

In Book 1, I consider it as the introduction of an epic story to come! We'll be surprised.