Book IV: The King and Queen of Sparta: Due Date: ______________________________

Telemachus and Pisistratus arrive at and are welcomed into the home of Menelaus and Helen. Menelaus tells Telemachus of
his travels with Odysseus and that Odysseus is trapped on an island by Calypso. Meanwhile, Antinous has learned that
Telemachus has embarked on his journey and plots with the other suitors to kill him upon his return to Ithaca. Penelope learns
of Telemachus’ leaving and is upset.

Concept/Vocabulary:

Xenia (n) – The Greek concept of hospitality, or generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home. It is often translated
as "guest-host friendship" (or "ritualized friendship") because the rituals of hospitality created and expressed a reciprocal relationship
between guest and host.

Kleos (n) – Means “fame on the lips of men.” It is a Greek word often translated to "renown," or "glory." It is related to the word "to
hear" and carries the implied meaning of "what others hear about you." A Greek hero earns kleos through accomplishing great deeds,
often through his own death. Kleos is invariably transferred from father to son; the son is responsible for carrying on and building upon
the "glory" of the father.

Juxtaposition (n) – an act or instance of placing close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.

Foil (n) – In literature, a foil is a character that shows qualities that are in contrast with the qualities of another character with the
objective to highlight the traits of the other character. The term foil, though generally being applied for a contrasting character, may
also be used for any comparison that is drawn to portray a difference between two things.

Epic Simile (n) – Also called Homeric simile is a detailed comparison in the form of a simile (explicit comparison, often using “like” or
“as.”) that is many lines in length.

1. Although Athena is no longer travelling with Telemachus, he has gained a new travel companion. Explain.
Nestor’s son, Pisistratus, is with him. This signifies (symbolizes) that Telemachus is gaining confidence
and becoming independent.

*Athena was serving as a mentor, a guide to inspire him

2. What event is being celebrated in Sparta when Telemachus arrives? What is the significance of this event
A double wedding. The wedding highlights customs/rituals, assembly/mass gathering of the people,
feasting, and xenia.
 Xenia: Chastises his servant for questioning whether or not to invite the guests in when they first
arrive: “The red haired king took great offense at that…just think of all the hospitality we enjoyed
at the hands of other men before we made it home.” (39)
o “Quick, unhitch their team. And bring them in, stranger, guests to share our flowing
feast.” (41)

3. In this book, we meet MENELAUS. How is he characterized?

a. Humble/Respect for the Gods: “No man can rival Zeus.” (87)
b. He is grieving (sad) because of the aftermath of the Trojan War:
i. Menelaus is wealthy: “I rule all this wealth with no great joy” (103)
ii. Regretful: “Would to god I’d stayed right here in my house with a third of all that wealth
and they were still alive.” (108-109)
iii. Lines 112-118: “And still much as I weep for all my men, grieving sorely…”
c. He greatly admires Odysseus:
i. (120) “No Achean labored as hard as Odysseus labored or achieved so much.”
d. Regretful /Guilty:
i. Odysseus is missing and probably suffering: “He struggled, suffered all for me.” (168)

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 ii. Agamemnon was murdered by his wife and lover. Agamemnon’s wife, Clytemnestra,
deceived him (love affair) while he was in battle and plotted his death with Aegisthus: “A
stranger killed my brother, blind to the danger” (101)

4. In this book, we meet Helen. Who is she and how is she characterized? How does she compare or contrast with
Penelope?
***In fiction, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character in order to highlight particular qualities
of the other character. Helen is a foil for Penelope: (Both are queens and married to leaders, so they have
an important position in society.) Helen is disloyal and Penelope is loyal: Penelope’s loyalty is keeping
the society together/or from completely falling apart. Helen’s disloyalty caused destruction of society
(chaos/war/the death of many great men).
 Regretful/Guilty: “Shameless whore that I was.” (162) – She left Menelaus for Paris and caused the
Trojan War.
 Line 245 “She [Helen] slipped a drug into a mixing bowl” – The drug is to help the men forget their
pain and suffering.
 Penelope is standing beside a pillar when we first meet her – symbolic significance – she is the
support/pillar holding up the Ithaca society. (Book I)
 Helen is introduced as being supported by three other women and she sits down. (Book 4)
 While Penelope is associated with a pillar, Helen is associated with a pain-relieving drug:
o “She slipped a drug, heart’s-ease, dissolving anger, magic that makes us all forget our
pain”

5. How does the Spartan society compare or contrast with the other societies in the text?
Similar to Pylos in that they respect the gods, practice xenia, have a strong leader (social
structure/assemble)…
However, this society is sad/grieving because it is damaged/broken society because of Helen’s
disloyalty/deception.

6. How has Telemachus changed throughout the course of his journey? He has gained confidence.
Lines 668-690ish: He contradicts a king, but he does it with “tact.” He is becoming a better
speaker/skilled rhetorician. ***Homer is creating a new kind of hero/man – one that is not only physically
superior, but intelligent/good with words/persuasion.

7. Homer devotes the final section of Book IV to the developing situation in Ithaca. Why do you think he does this?
***This is the close reading passage.