in the room is crying.

"A twinging ache of grief rose up in everyone, and Helen of Argos wept, the daughter of Zeus, Telemachus and Menelaus wept, and tears came into the eyes of Nestor's son--" (Graves, 58)

Out of mercy, Helen decides to slip some potion into everyone's wine so they will forget their misery. This drink is one of her special gifts as a daughter of Zeus.

"Whoever dranks this mixture in the wine bowl would be incapable of tears that day--though he should lose mother and father both, or see, with his own eyes, a son or brother mauled by weapons of bronze at his own gate. The opiate of Zeus' daughter bore this uncanny power. It had been supplied her by Polydamna, mistress of Lord Thon, in Egypt, where the rich plantations grow herbs of all kinds, maleficient and healthful; and no one else know medicine as they do." (Graves, 60)

Helen then attempts to bring levity to the weeping men by telling of Odysses' exploits, including one when he dressed up as a beggar. Then Menelaus shares a story until everyone goes to bed.

During the visit, everyone acknowledges that Odysses is special and his absence is haunting. Helen acts out of kindness and compassion.

Let us remember first and foremost that Helen was the reason for the entire Trojan War, as her kidnap or escape with Paris, the young prince of Troy, was what gave Meneleaus and his brother Agamemnon reason for attacking Troy and starting one of the most famous battles in mythology. In Book 4, we focus on the fates of other heroes from the Trojan War, and Helen is one of these. Seeing her happily married to her original husband again, and what is more, celebrating the birth of her children, perhaps foreshadows the happy ending that is in store for Odysseus and his family when he finally makes it home and restores his position.

Let us also focus on the particular story that Helen offers about the father of Telemachus. As the characters feast in this book, Helen and Menelaus tell Telemachus stories that celebrate the cunning and ingenuity of Odysseus, and how this was used to win the battle. Helen's story in particular is noteworthy because she tells Telemachus how his father disguised himself as a beggar to infiltrate the walls of Troy and gain access to the city. Given the sheer number of times in this book when Odysseus either disguises himself or pretends to be someone he is not, witholding his identity, this story is key for preparing us for the character of Odysseus and the kind of stratagems he employs.