Original Text(~250 words)
ASSEMBLY OF THE PEOPLE OF ITHACA—SPEECHES OF TELEMACHUS AND OF THE SUITORS—TELEMACHUS MAKES HIS PREPARATIONS AND STARTS FOR PYLOS WITH MINERVA DISGUISED AS MENTOR. Now when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared Telemachus rose and dressed himself. He bound his sandals on to his comely feet, girded his sword about his shoulder, and left his room looking like an immortal god. He at once sent the criers round to call the people in assembly, so they called them and the people gathered thereon; then, when they were got together, he went to the place of assembly spear in hand—not alone, for his two hounds went with him. Minerva endowed him with a presence of such divine comeliness that all marvelled at him as he went by, and when he took his place in his father’s seat even the oldest councillors made way for him. Aegyptius, a man bent double with age, and of infinite experience, was the first to speak. His son Antiphus had gone with Ulysses to Ilius, land of noble steeds, but the savage Cyclops had killed him when they were all shut up in the cave, and had cooked his last dinner for him.17 He had three sons left, of whom two still worked on their father’s land, while the third, Eurynomus, was one of the suitors; nevertheless their father could not get over the loss of Antiphus, and was still weeping for him when he began his speech. “Men of Ithaca,” he said, “hear my...
Continue reading the full chapter
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Summary
Telemachus finally finds his voice and calls the first public assembly in twenty years. Standing before the entire community, he lays out his case against the suitors who are bleeding his family dry. His speech is raw and honest—he admits he's not as strong as his father, but he refuses to stand by while his home is destroyed. The suitors respond with typical arrogance, led by Antinous who blames Penelope for stringing them along with her clever weaving trick—working on Laertes' funeral shroud by day, unraveling it by night. When the prophet Halitherses warns that Odysseus will return to bring justice, the suitors mock him. Telemachus realizes he can't count on the community for help—they sit in uncomfortable silence, unwilling to act. So he makes a bold decision: he'll search for his father himself. With Athena's help (disguised as Mentor), he secretly gathers supplies and recruits a crew. By nightfall, while the suitors sleep off their wine, Telemachus sets sail for Pylos. This chapter marks Telemachus's transformation from passive victim to active hero. He learns that sometimes you have to stop waiting for others to do what's right and take matters into your own hands. The public assembly reveals the community's moral cowardice, but it also forces Telemachus to claim his voice and his agency.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Assembly
A formal gathering where citizens come together to discuss community issues and make decisions. In ancient Greece, this was how democracy worked - everyone had a voice. The first assembly in Ithaca in twenty years shows how broken their society has become.
Modern Usage:
Like a town hall meeting, HOA meeting, or when workers call for a union vote to address workplace problems.
Suitors
Men competing to marry Penelope and inherit Odysseus's kingdom. They're not just romantic rivals - they're political opportunists eating Telemachus's family into poverty while waiting for Odysseus to be declared dead.
Modern Usage:
Like vultures circling a family business when the owner goes missing, or people who befriend elderly relatives hoping to get in the will.
Divine intervention
When gods directly help mortals by appearing in disguise or giving supernatural aid. Athena helps Telemachus by boosting his confidence and providing practical support for his journey.
Modern Usage:
When unexpected help comes at exactly the right moment - a mentor appearing when you need guidance, or finding inner strength you didn't know you had.
Coming of age
The moment when a young person stops being passive and takes control of their life. Telemachus transforms from a helpless boy into someone who speaks up publicly and takes action.
Modern Usage:
That moment when you stop waiting for your parents to fix your problems and start handling your own business.
Moral cowardice
When people know something is wrong but refuse to act because it's uncomfortable or risky. The Ithacan citizens sit silently while the suitors destroy Telemachus's family.
Modern Usage:
Like coworkers who watch someone get bullied but don't speak up, or neighbors who ignore domestic violence next door.
Hospitality code
Sacred ancient Greek law requiring hosts to feed and protect guests, and guests to respect their hosts. The suitors violate this by overstaying and draining their host's resources.
Modern Usage:
Like the unspoken rules about how long you can crash on someone's couch before you're taking advantage of their kindness.
Characters in This Chapter
Telemachus
Protagonist coming into his own
Finally finds his voice and calls the first public assembly in twenty years. He speaks truth to power, confronting the suitors publicly and then taking bold action by sailing off to search for his father.
Modern Equivalent:
The kid who finally stands up to workplace bullies and then quits to find better opportunities
Antinous
Primary antagonist
The most arrogant of the suitors who responds to Telemachus's speech by blaming Penelope for their behavior. Shows classic abuser mentality - 'she made us do it' - and refuses to take responsibility.
Modern Equivalent:
The toxic ex who blames his girlfriend for 'making him' stalk her by not giving clear enough rejection
Penelope
Absent but central figure
Revealed as incredibly clever - she's been buying time by weaving Laertes' funeral shroud by day and unraveling it by night. Shows how women use intelligence when they lack physical power.
Modern Equivalent:
The employee who quietly sabotages a hostile takeover while appearing to cooperate
Mentor
Divine guide
Actually Athena in disguise, helps Telemachus plan his journey and provides practical support. Represents the kind of guidance that appears when someone is ready to take action.
Modern Equivalent:
The experienced coworker who shows up right when you need career advice and connections
Halitherses
Prophet/truth-teller
Interprets bird omens to warn that Odysseus will return and bring justice. The suitors mock him, showing how people dismiss inconvenient truths.
Modern Equivalent:
The financial advisor warning about market crashes that everyone ignores because they're making money
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when groups freeze in the face of obvious wrongdoing, leaving individuals to act alone.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when everyone in a room knows something is wrong but nobody speaks up—then ask yourself what one small action you could take to break the silence.
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Hear me, men of Ithaca. Never once have we held assembly, never once sat in session since King Odysseus sailed away in the hollow ships."
Context: Opening his first public speech to the community
Shows how completely society has broken down without leadership. Twenty years of drift and decay because no one stepped up to fill the void. Telemachus is calling out the community's failure to govern itself.
In Today's Words:
We haven't had a real meeting or made any decisions together since dad left - we've just been letting everything fall apart.
"So the queen, she deceives you all, builds up hopes in every suitor's heart - she sends messages to each man but her mind intends quite otherwise."
Context: Defending the suitors' behavior by blaming Penelope
Classic victim-blaming. Instead of taking responsibility for their parasitic behavior, Antinous portrays the suitors as victims of female manipulation. Shows how abusers always find ways to blame their targets.
In Today's Words:
She's just playing games with all of us guys - leading us on when she has no intention of choosing anyone.
"I am not the man my father was - I'll never be, not even if some god should grant me power."
Context: Admitting his limitations while still demanding justice
Powerful moment of honest self-assessment. Telemachus isn't claiming to be a hero - he's just refusing to be a victim. Sometimes courage isn't about being the strongest; it's about doing what's right despite your limitations.
In Today's Words:
I know I'm not as tough as my dad and I never will be, but I'm still not going to let you destroy my family.
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Standing Alone
When groups witness wrongdoing but each person assumes others will act, creating collective inaction that enables the harmful behavior to continue.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
The suitors use their wealth and status to intimidate both Telemachus and the community into silence
Development
Deepened from Chapter 1's introduction of economic disparity
In Your Life:
You might see this when wealthy patients get better treatment than working-class ones in healthcare settings
Identity
In This Chapter
Telemachus stops defining himself by what he lacks (his father's strength) and starts acting on his own principles
Development
Major breakthrough from Chapter 1's passive victim identity
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when you stop waiting to feel 'qualified enough' and start taking action based on your values
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The community expects someone else to handle the suitor problem, while Telemachus is expected to wait passively
Development
Expanded from Chapter 1 to show how social pressure creates inaction
In Your Life:
You might see this when everyone expects 'someone' to report workplace safety violations but nobody actually does it
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Telemachus transforms from complaining to the community to taking independent action
Development
First major growth moment, building on Chapter 1's awakening
In Your Life:
You might experience this when you stop venting about problems to friends and start making concrete plans to solve them
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Telemachus learns that blood ties and community membership don't guarantee support in times of crisis
Development
Harsh lesson building on Chapter 1's family loyalty themes
In Your Life:
You might discover this when family members won't help during a medical or financial crisis because it's 'too complicated'
Modern Adaptation
When Nobody Wants to Rock the Boat
Following Omar's story...
After months of watching the day-shift supervisor steal overtime hours and falsify timesheets, Omar finally speaks up at the monthly staff meeting. Standing before twenty coworkers, they lay out the evidence clearly—missing punch cards, altered schedules, paychecks that don't match hours worked. The room goes dead silent. The supervisor smirks and claims it's all 'administrative errors,' then suggests Omar is just bitter about not getting promoted. When the union rep tries to back them up, management threatens to 'review staffing levels.' The other workers stare at their phones, suddenly fascinated by the floor tiles. Nobody wants to confirm what they all know is true. After the meeting, a few coworkers whisper support in the hallway but won't go on record. Omar realizes they're on their own. So they start documenting everything, quietly reaching out to workers on other shifts, and preparing to take their evidence to the labor board. Sometimes you have to be willing to stand alone before others will find the courage to stand with you.
The Road
The road Telemachus walked in ancient Greece, Omar walks today. The pattern is identical: when injustice happens in plain sight, most people choose comfortable silence over difficult action, leaving the truth-teller to act alone.
The Map
This chapter provides a navigation tool for breaking through social paralysis. When everyone knows something is wrong but nobody acts, document everything, find allies privately, and be prepared to move forward alone initially.
Amplification
Before reading this, Omar might have assumed their silence meant cowardice or that speaking up would automatically bring support. Now they can NAME social paralysis, PREDICT that bystanders won't act initially, and NAVIGATE by taking principled action anyway.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Telemachus call the assembly after twenty years, and how do the townspeople react to his speech?
analysis • surface - 2
The townspeople sit in 'uncomfortable silence' when Telemachus asks for help. What does their silence actually communicate to both Telemachus and the suitors?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about your workplace, school, or community. Where have you seen this same pattern of people staying silent when they know something wrong is happening?
application • medium - 4
Telemachus realizes he can't wait for others to act and decides to search for his father himself. When have you had to stop waiting for group support and take action on your own?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the difference between knowing what's right and actually doing what's right?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Own Assembly
Think of a situation in your life where you need support but people are staying silent - maybe at work, in your family, or your community. Write down who would be in your 'assembly' if you called one. Next to each name, honestly assess: Would they speak up for you, stay silent, or actively oppose you? Finally, plan what you would do if most people chose silence.
Consider:
- •People's silence doesn't mean they disagree with you - they might be scared or waiting for someone else to act first
- •Sometimes taking action alone initially gives others permission to join you later
- •You need to be prepared to act on principle even without group support
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you stayed silent when you should have spoken up. What held you back, and what would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 3: Telemachus Seeks Answers in Pylos
What lies ahead teaches us to approach intimidating conversations with confidence and respect, and shows us seeking multiple perspectives helps you understand complex situations. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.