Illustration of Odysseus tied to a ship's mast

The Odyssey

by Homer

Start Free Trial

Discussion Topic

Menelaus' account of the wooden horse in The Odyssey

Summary:

Menelaus recounts the tale of the wooden horse as a clever Greek stratagem that led to the fall of Troy. The Greeks hid inside the horse, which was brought into the city by the unsuspecting Trojans. At night, the Greeks emerged from the horse, opened the city gates for their army, and successfully captured Troy, ending the Trojan War.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

In Book 4 of The Odyssey, what does Menelaus tell Telemachus about the wooden horse?

Menelaus tells Telemachus about hiding in the horse with the bravest of the Argives and Odysseus.  He tells how Helen came to see the horse and, suspecting a trap, called to the men inside, mimicking their wives.  One man, Anticlus, was about to answer her.  However, Odysseus put his hands over the mouth of Anticlus and forced him to keep quiet until Helen had gone. 

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial