Odyssey Book 1 - 4
The book starts with the narrator invoking the Muse of Poetry to relate the tale of a certain brave man who survived the Trojan War but was not able to return home. Ulysses' name is not used here.
While some brief details are offered, the actual story of Ulysses himself does not take place within the first four books. While we are given some background regarding Ulysses, these chapters are devoted to Telemachus (the son of Ulysses and Penelope), and his fight to protect his mother from the many suitors wishing for her hand in marriage. Penelope is a desirable woman, but most notable is the kingdom bequeathed to whoever marries her.
Homer introduces us very quickly to many of the major characters in the story. From the background, we understand that Ulysses has been gone for 20 years. He spent 10 years engaged in fighting the Trojan War, and another 10 years trying to return home afterward. While being the only survivor who has not returned home, he has been besieged with obstacles preventing his return. Goddess Calypso has held him captive for many of those years, being a lustful nymph who hopes to marry Ulysses and make him immortal. Ulysses, however, only wishes to return to his wife and son in Ithaca.
In Ithaca, over 100 suitors wish to take Penelope's hand in marriage, which would grant them the opportunity to become the ruler of Ithaca). Faithful and true, Penelope resists, always believing that Ulysses will return. Their son, Telemachus, protects his mother from the onslaught, doing the best that he knows, as a very young man, to preserve his father's place in the family and the kingdom.
The Goddess Athena appears to Telemachus, disguised as an old friend of Ulysses. Athena advises Telemachus to call a meeting of leaders on the island of Ithaca, to resist the suitors.
Later, Telemachus encounters his mother, who is upset over songs being heard coming from the suitors' area, songs that remind her of the trials that Ulysses has most likely encountered. Telemachus scolds her, though, telling her that she should allow him to deal with the suitors.
At the meeting the following day, Telemachus is questioned about who his companion is. Even though Telemachus suspects that it might be Athena, he introduces his guest only as a friend of Ulysses.' While many of the suitors agree to Telemachus' request, two main suitors, Antinous and Eurymachus, confront Telemachus. They show no intention of honoring the request.
Telemachus meets with King Nestor of Pylos, and with King Menelaus of Sparta. Both are old friends of Ulysses. Telemachus learns that his father is indeed alive, but is being held captive by the Goddess/ nymph Calypso.
Telemachus plans a journey to Pylos, and will eventually travel from there to Sparta.
The suitors begin to plot the assassination of Telemachus.
Analysis
While the story is mainly about the struggles of Ulysses, Telemachus' growth is a parallel, if less prominent, plot. He is a young man, and over the course of the entire story, readers will see him grow physically, spiritually, and mentally. In these beginning chapters, he expresses a lack of confidence and maturity, unsure of how best to tend to the business at hand. The main duties that he is aware of are that of protecting his mother, Penelope, from the hundred suitors wishing to take her hand in marriage, and of protecting the estate from threats. We see in the young Telemachus youthful integrity, strong family values, and virtuous loyalty.
Youthful Telemachus is even challenged by some of the suitors, most notably Antinous, the most aggressive and devious of the suitors.
The Goddess Athena has no intention of allowing Ulysses' reign to be lost to the suitors. Athena will act as guide, advisor, and powerful deity to protect what is rightfully Ulysses' family and estate.
