Hero · Character in Homer’s Odyssey

Menelaus

Sparta's king, late home himself

Rich, hospitable, sad in his own hall; still mourns his lost friend.

Back in his own rich hall after seven years of being blown around Egypt and Libya, he gives Telemachus the first hard news of his father: Proteus saw Odysseus alive, weeping on Calypso's island.

Bonds

• Menelaus brother of Agamemnon — storm-driven, home too late
• Menelaus king of Sparta — master of the richest hall
• Menelaus host of Telemachus — feasts him, loads his chariot
• Helen wife of Menelaus — beside him again, giving gifts
• Menelaus captor of Proteus — held through every shape
• Proteus warns Menelaus — the way home, and the news
• Menelaus visits Crete — half his storm-split fleet, ashore there
• Menelaus visits Egypt — five ships, seven years of gathering

Appears in

• Book III Interview of Telemachus with Nestor
• Book IV Conference of Telemachus and Menelaus
• Book XV Return of Telemachus

Scenes

1. Athena counsels a voyage — Book I. Athena urges Telemachus toward Pylos, Sparta
2. The Fleet’s Quarrel — Book III. Nestor recalls Atreus brothers’ quarrel
3. The Full Tale of Murder — Book III. Nestor tells of Aegisthus, Menelaus’s voyage
4. A Double Wedding — Book IV. Menelaus’s daughter weds Achilles’s son
5. Welcome for the Strangers — Book IV. Menelaus overrules Eteoneus, welcomes guests
6. Menelaus Mourns Odysseus — Book IV. Menelaus mourns brother, grieves Odysseus
7. Helen Recognizes Telemachus — Book IV. Helen enters, spots Odysseus’ likeness
8. Peisistratus Confirms His Friend — Book IV. Peisistratus confirms him, talk draws tears
9. Grief Set Aside — Book IV. Peisistratus asks to postpone sorrow
10. Helen’s Drug and Tales of Troy — Book IV. Helen’s drug, Menelaus recalls Troy
11. A Night’s Rest — Book IV. Telemachus retires, Menelaus rises at dawn
12. The Plea for Truth — Book IV. Telemachus describes suitors, begs news
13. Proteus Demands Sacrifice — Book IV. Proteus demands hecatombs before sailing home
14. Odysseus on Calypso’s Isle — Book IV. Odysseus weeps, Menelaus promised Elysium
15. Farewell Gifts — Book IV. Telemachus declines horses, takes cup
16. The Fall of Troy Sung — Book VIII. Demodocus sings ambush, sack of Troy
17. Athena’s Warning — Book XV. Athena warns Telemachus of ambush ahead
18. Rousing Peisistratus — Book XV. Telemachus hurries, Peisistratus urges delay
19. Leave Requested — Book XV. Telemachus asks leave of Menelaus
20. Gifts and Farewell Feast — Book XV. Menelaus and Helen give goblet, robe
21. Eagle and Prophecy — Book XV. Helen reads the eagle omen as return
22. Journey to Pylos — Book XV. Telemachus reaches Pylos, avoids Nestor
23. Marketplace and Piraeus — Book XVII. Telemachus meets Piraeus, Theoclymenus
24. Nestor and Menelaus — Book XVII. Telemachus reports Odysseus on Calypso’s isle

Menelaus is named in 32 of the poem’s scenes; these are the twenty-four that carry the most of the name.

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