Greek Epics XXIX: Odyssey Book 4, or Something is Rotten in the State of Sparta

Posted byTriumvir ClioPosted inGreek Epics, The Greeks

Despite what the title would have you believe, the Telemachy takes up a decent part of the Odyssey. In this episode, Telemakhos continues his own journey in search of news of his father.

Discussion Prompts
  1. AP Credit: Compare/Contrast the feast at Pylos with the feast at Sparta.
  2. What do you think about Menelaos? How does he compare with the man we see in the Iliad? What are the reasons you think he is (or is not) different in the Odyssey?
  3. Why is Menelaos depicted as a redhead?
  4. Why do you think Eidothea helps Menelaos?
  5. What does Book 4 show us about the Odyssey within The Odyssey?
  6. Would Menelaos have been granted eternal life in Elysion if he hadn’t gone after Helen? Why or why not?
  7. What does Penelope show us about grief?
  8. Why do you think I subtitled this episode “Something is Rotten in the State of Sparta”?
  9. Who is your favorite character now? Why?

Published by Triumvir Clio

I have a BA in History and Classical Civilization from Loyola University Chicago and an MPH from Western Michigan University. I've been a geometry teacher, a religion teacher, a writing tutor. I'm a writer, a knitter, a dancer, a singer, an actor. And, yes, for fun I like to reread everything that was assigned while getting my classics degree.

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