Place in Homer’s Odyssey

Sparta

Menelaus' rich hall

The second and far grander stop of Telemachus' journey, where Menelaus and Helen feast him and tell him his father is alive.

Bonds

• Menelaus king of Sparta — master of the richest hall
• Helen queen of Sparta — mistress of the hall once more
• Telemachus visits Sparta — second stop in his search

Appears in

• Book I Visit of Athena to Telemachus
• Book II Departure of Telemachus from Ithaca
• Book III Interview of Telemachus with Nestor
• Book IV Conference of Telemachus and Menelaus
• Book XV Return of Telemachus

Scenes

1. Athena pleads for Odysseus — Book I. Athena begs Zeus, plans to send Hermes
2. Athena counsels a voyage — Book I. Athena urges Telemachus toward Pylos, Sparta
3. Eurymachus Scoffs — Book II. Eurymachus mocks, Telemachus seeks ship
4. Suitors’ Taunts — Book II. Suitors taunt Telemachus, hope he drowns
5. Provisions from Eurycleia — Book II. Telemachus secretly asks Eurycleia to pack
6. The Full Tale of Murder — Book III. Nestor tells of Aegisthus, Menelaus’s voyage
7. Chariot to Sparta — Book III. Nestor yokes chariot for Sparta
8. A Double Wedding — Book IV. Menelaus’s daughter weds Achilles’s son
9. The Plea for Truth — Book IV. Telemachus describes suitors, begs news
10. Medon Warns Penelope — Book IV. Medon overhears plot, warns Penelope
11. Gods Debate Odysseus’ Fate — Book V. Athena pleads, Zeus sends Hermes
12. Warning About Wives — Book XI. Agamemnon warns of wives, praises Penelope
13. Plot Against the Suitors — Book XIII. Athena details siege, disguises Odysseus
14. Athena’s Warning — Book XV. Athena warns Telemachus of ambush ahead
15. Nestor and Menelaus — Book XVII. Telemachus reports Odysseus on Calypso’s isle
16. Penelope Fetches the Bow — Book XXI. Athena prompts tearful Penelope

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