Book I of twenty-four · A Son Sets Sail
Athena pleads for Odysseus, rouses Telemachus
On Olympus, Athena persuades Zeus to end Odysseus’ long detention by Calypso. Disguised as the guest Mentes, she visits Ithaca and urges Telemachus to confront his mother’s suitors and sail for news of his father. Emboldened, Telemachus rebukes his grieving mother and the suitors before retiring to plan his voyage.
Argument, 1871 A council of the gods —Deliberations concerning Odysseus —Hermes despatched to Calypso, to bid her send Odysseus to Ithaca —Visit of Athena, in the shape of Mentor, to Telemachus, advising him to repair to Pylos and Sparta in quest of his father, Odysseus —Revels of the suitors of Penelope —Phemius, the minstrel, and his song of the return of the Grecians —The suitors rebuked by Telemachus.