The Odyssey: Books 2-4

Summary
         In book 2 when Telemachus wakes up he has been given power and courage by Minerva (Athena). As Minerva suggested, he called together a council meeting. After going through the formalities, Telemaschus explains why he called the council together. When he explains that it is because many suitors are ravaging his house, with the excuse of marrying his mother some people pity him, whiles others do not care. Antinous in particular doesn't care, and promises to continue ravaging their estate.  Telemachus warns that if his father is returning he will endure suitors for one more year, but that if he finds that his father is truly dead that he will take over his house, and (think about this next line) make his mother marry again. The suitors continued to fight with Telemachus, but eventually Telemachus got together his supplies and set of.
         Book 3 starts with Telemachus getting to the lands of Pylos. Once they are on shore Telemachus goes to the house of Nestor to see if he had heard anything about his father. Once they have gone through the formalities and eaten, Nestor finally starts to explain his part of the journey during which Ulysses was lost, and what he knew of how Ulysses was. (I found some of that part confusing.) Nestor suggests that Telemachus go to Menelaus to see if he knew more. That afternoon Nestor made a sacrific to the gods, then sent Telemachus and his youngest son, Pisistratus.
          At the beginning of book 4 Telemachus and Pisistratus have just arrived at Menelaus's. Again, there are many greeting and formalities to be exchanged. Menelaus explains what he knows. Two parts that stick out to me are that Helen, Menelaus's wife, tried to betray Acheans when they were hidden in the wooden horse, but she still ended up as Menelaus's wife. It does say at some point that that was planned by heaven. The other piece of important information was that he had heard what had happened to Ulysses, and knew that he was being held captive by hte nymph Calypso.  The suitors didn't truly believe that Telemachus would go to look for his father, so when they found out that he did, they prepared an ambush for him when he was on his way home, so that they could take over his stuff.

Thoughts
          I found parts of this section, especially when Nestor was explaining what he knew of Ulysses very confusing. I felt more confused when I tried to summarize each paragraph or two, so I stopped doing that. The suitors are really annoying. Their so stupid, and generally impolite- they just get on my nerves.  One thing that I found interesting is that is says "the child of morning, rosy-fingered dawn" a lot. It's not really that interesting, but it's a different way of saying morning. Just in books 2 to 4 it says that 4 times.
          I don't have many predictions right now, but I'm that Telemachus might go on a quest for his father without returning to get anything else from his home. I'm also guessing when he does eventually go home that the ambush the suitors have planned will fail miserably.
          Some of the sacrifices that they do, and the way they greet people are very different from what I would expect. Also, when they make a sacrifice do they eat some of they meet, or do they burn all of it? It seems like both happen.