In my reading so far of the Odyssey I am amazed at how much seems to be covered in so few pages. The richness behind the meaning of the words and how much of a story they weave. Book II left us with Telemachos sailing out under the cover of darkness in one final quest for information regarding Odysseus' fate. As Telemachos approaches the island of Pylos the crew witnesses the beginning of a ritualistic festival for Poseidon. The beach is lined with groups preparing black bulls to be sacrificed in honor of Poseidon. The disguised Athene councils the young Telemachos to seek Nestor out for information. So come now, go straight up to Nestor, breaker of horses, Telemachos is lost, he does not know how to properly approach his elder. Mentor (Athene) assures him he will know by following what is in his heart. Nestor's men happily great Telemachos and Mentor welcoming them to the feast and ask that they too break wine in prayer to Poseidon. Athene was rather pleased that Nestor handed her the golden goblet first to make her prayer to Poseidon. Once the travelers have been fed Nestor inquiries into what brings them to his land, Telemachos' makes his plea. | Artist: Meleager Painter Date: between circa 400 and circa 380 BC Photographer: © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY 2.5 |
For we have been told about all the other men who once fought |