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The Odyssey

by Homer

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What is Nestor's opinion of Odysseus in The Odyssey?

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Nestor treats Telemachus as his friend and encourgages him to make a name for himself.

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The first four chapters of the classic epic The Odyssey by Homer tell of Odysseus's son Telemachus and his search for his lost father. In Book 3, Telemachus, accompanied by the goddess Athena in disguise, come to Pylos to speak with King Nestor. When they arrive, a great ceremony at which thousands of people are offering sacrifices to Poseidon is in progress. Telemachus and Athena are invited to eat and drink, and then they converse with Nestor. Telemachus identifies himself and asks for news of his father, Odysseus.

Nestor tells Telemachus that for nine years they tried every sort of tactic to gain advantage against the Trojans and adds that Odysseus was the master strategist: "During all this time there was no one who could compare with your father in subtlety." Nestor also says that he and Odysseus got along well and never quarreled. "He and I never had any...

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kind of difference from first to last neither in camp nor council."

However, Nestor is unable to offer any news about what happened to Odysseus. He says: "Therefore, my dear young friend, I returned without hearing anything about the others." He shares reports of what he learned afterwards of some of the fighters at Troy, and then adds that he has heard that Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, has many suitors. He wonders what would happen if Odysseus should return, perhaps with an army, and wreak vengeance upon these men. He says that Athena lavished great affection upon Odysseus—"I never yet saw the gods so openly fond of anyone"—little realizing that Athena is right there with them in disguise.

Finally, Nestor supplies Telemachus with a chariot and suggests that he should proceed to Sparta to question Menelaus, the brother of Agamemnon, concerning his father.

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Telemachus visits Nestor in Book Three of The Odyssey on the first step of his journey to find news of his father. Nestor considers himself an old friend of Odysseus and wants to tell Telemachus about the old days with his friend during the Trojan War. Nestor demonstrated his regard for Odysseus claiming that,

And as to stratagems, no man would claim Odysseus gift for those. He had no rivals, you father, at the tricks of war. (Book Three, Lines 83-85)

He continues that he and Odysseus had never disagreed and later tells of Athena's regard for Odysseus which confirms for him the strength of Odysseus's character. His actions also confirm his regard for Odysseus for he would not hear of it that the "only son of Odysseus" should ever make his bed on a ship and provides a lavish place for him to stay as a guest. The next morning in deference to Odysseus's son, Nestor makes a sacrifice to Athena and spares no expense providing Telemachus with everything that he needs for his journey. It is clear that Nestor has a very high regard for Odysseus

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What is Nestor's opinion of Telemachus in The Odyssey?

Nestor greets and treats Telemachus as a friend when he comes in search of news of his father, Odysseus. Nestor has heard of Penelope's plight and the abuses of the suitors, but he believes that Odysseus might yet return home, especially since he was always supported by the goddess, Athena.

Nestor seems to like Telemachus quite a bit, and he refuses to allow Telemachus to sleep on his ship, desiring the young man to sleep comfortably in Nestor's home. Nestor also has his youngest daughter bathe, anoint, and dress Telemachus. Further, Nestor gives Telemachus his swiftest horses, a chariot, and rich food to sustain him on his way to the palace of Menelaus, who may have additional information about Odysseus.

Nestor recognizes that Telemachus is a "loving son" of Odysseus, and he respects Orestes, another such loving son that killed his mother and her lover after they'd murdered his father, Agamemnon. He feels that Telemachus is a very loyal son, and this curries favor with him.

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What is Nestor’s opinion of Odysseus in The Odyssey?

Odysseus's son, Telemachus, has embarked on an epic journey to find out what's happened to his father. On the first leg of that journey he winds up on Pylos, where he meets King Nestor, one of Odysseus's former comrades at the siege of Troy.

At a huge, lavish feast thrown in honor of the sea-god Poseidon, Nestor tells Telemachus how much he admired his father. It was Odysseus, the master tactician, who broke the deadlock at Troy by coming up with the cunning idea of the Trojan Horse. When it came to devising subtle plans no one could compare with Odysseus. For good measure, Nestor tells Telemachus how well he got along with his father. During all the time they served alongside each other, the two kings never had a cross word.

Unfortunately for Telemachus, Nestor doesn't know Odysseus's current whereabouts. But at least he's been able to give Telemachus a better idea of what kind of man his father is.

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