Study Questions
1. What are the two reasons that Telemachus calls the Ithacans to assembly?

2. Who are Telemachus’ outspoken advocates in the assembly?

3. What is the chief means employed by Penelope in order to stall the suitors?

4. What is the sign read by Halitherses during the assembly?

5. How does Halitherses interpret the sign?

6. What personae are assumed by Athene in Book II?

7. How does Telemachus manage to acquire a ship and crew?

8. Why does Eurycleia protest against Telemachus’ proposed journey?

9. What promise does he exact from her?

10. What ritual do the sailors perform once the ship has taken to the sea?

Answers
1. He wants them to remove the suitors from his home, and he wants them to supply him a ship for his voyage.

2. His two advocates are Mentor and Halitherses

3. She stalls them by undoing the work of Laertes’ shroud.

4. Two eagles battle overhead.

5. He interprets this to mean that the suitors are in danger from a returning Odysseus.

6. She becomes both Mentor and Telemachus on separate occasions.

7. Athene gathers them together for him.

8. She does not want him to share his father’s fate.

9. She will not announce his departure.

10. They pour a libation to Athene to protect them on their journey.