The Odyssey Book Three
Book Three Ferried by Athene, Telemachus lands at Pylos. There, a great sacrifice is taking place to Poseidon, god of the sea and supporter of the Achaeans. Athene and Telemachus are welcomed and treated most favourably, as guest should be. Note how proper and orderly things are done at Pylos: guests are welcomed and the gods are worshiped. This is in contrast to the scene at Ithaca.
Book Three King Nestor of Pylos represents solid social values: loyalty to comrades, to family and to the Gods, an antithesis to the disgraceful behaviour of the suitors in Ithaca, who have respect for neither the Gods nor humans. Telemachus asks Nestor about the fate of his father. Both men fought along side each other at the siege of Troy. Nestor recounts his own return story from Troy: the disagreements between Agamemnon and Menelaus, the divisions in the fleet and his own uneventful return.
Book Three Nestor tells him about the struggles they had in Troy. How Achilles and Ajax were killed etc. He tells Telemachos that every strategy they came up with failed to break Troy for nine years. But the strategy of Odysseus proved “supreme”. After they had destroyed Troy, Zeus “planned disaster for our homeward journey”. He arranged a quarrel between Agamemnon and Menelaus. The latter wanted to go home, but the former wanted to stay and offer sacrifices to Athena. Half of the army departed whilst the other half stayed. Odysseus, who had left, later swung back and rejoined Agamemnon.
Book Three Telemachus then hears the story of what happened to Agamemnon. Aegisthus killed Agamemnon because he wanted his wife. Orestes, Agamemnon’s son, killed Aegisthus avenging his father’s murder. This is an important tale that is referred to several time in the epic. This sorry story is a lesson in treachery and deceit. It serves as a warning to any man who ventures away from home for any lengthy spell.
Book Three Nestor advises Telemachus to go to Sparta to meet Menelaus - he may have more information on the whereabouts of Odysseus. More sacrifices are made to Poseidon. In the ordered world of Pylos the Gods are revered. Telemachus is invited back to Nestor’s palace, a banquet is prepared and he is given a place to sleep and rest. A heifer is slain and a sacrifice is made to Athene, (note detailed description of this P.43). Telemachus is bathed, sleeps and in the morning he is given a chariot to take him to Sparta.
Book Three: Important Points Note how Athene stays by Telemachus’ side for most of this chapter, disguised as Mentor. Telemachus is supported and watched over by Athene. Note how pious and religious Nestor is. Respect for the gods is an important attribute of King Nestor. Also his respectful treatment of guests is in keeping with the best of Greek tradition and values.
Book Three: Important Points Note how Telemachus rises to the challenge of conversing and mixing with the great heroes of the Trojan War adding further to his growth and development. Nestor even affirms that he is the true son of Odysseus. Note the references to the battle of Troy, here the world of the Iliad and the Odyssey are brought together: the two great works of Homer.
Book Three Questions What does Telemachus find out about Odysseus at Pylos? Why is Telemachus’ trip to Pylos important? Summarise the death of Agamemnon.