Proteus also told him about the death of Agamemnon. Proteus answered that one is alive at sea and the other, Ajax is dead. Menelaus told him he would do this but asked him about his comrades. Proteus told him that he did not sacrifice to Zeus and the other gods upon his departure and advises that they needed return to the Nile and make a sacrifice. Menelaus asked him "Which of the immortals chained me here?" Book 4, line 502. He changed into animals and trees and tried to frighten them, but they did not let go. Menelaus and his men snuck into the cave before dawn and grabbed Proteus when he came to look over the seals. When he stopped changing, then Menelaus could ask him which god was angry with them, then they could sacrifice to that god. They were to hold on no matter what form he changed into. Menelaus and two chosen men were to go there and hide among the seals and grab Proteus by surprise. She told him there is a certain cave where seals sleep that Proteus goes to at dawn.
#Proteus in the odyssey how to#
He asked her how to get home and she told him that if he captured her father Proteus by surprise, he would help him leave. His plight distressed Eidothea, a nymph who came to him and asks him why he lets his people waste away. Menelaus recounts his own journey and tells how he was becalmed for twenty days. This enrages Menelaus."If only that Odysseus met the suitors,/ they'd have their consummation, a cold bed!" Book 4, lines 371-72 Telemachus tells him that he seeks news of his father and he relays the news of the suitors. When dawn comes again Menelaus goes to Telemachus and asks him why he came. Helen calls the maid to make the beds and they all go to sleep. Telemachus speaks out and says that all of his cleverness did not save Odysseus from destruction. Menelaus says that he has never seen another man like Odysseus and recounts how Odysseus stopped men from crying out inside the wooden horse. He told her about the dying Akhaians and made her want to return to Greece. Helen had discovered his identity but promised not to reveal him to the Trojans. In Troy he had disguised himself as a beggar. She puts as potion into the wine as it is served and then recounts a deed of Odysseus. Helen decides she will drug them so that they will sleep and forget their sorrow. Menelaus has everyone cleanse themselves and they go back to eating. Menelaus responds that he speaks sensibly and is much like his father in the way he reasons. Peisistratos tells them that they should not weep because it will be dawn soon and that he lost a brother at Troy. Grief rises in everyone and they all weep. Then he says that he would have done anything for Odysseus, surmising that the gods must have been jealous to smite Odysseus. Menelaus exclaims "His son, in my house! How I loved the man,/ And how he fought through hardship for my sake!" Book 3, lines 181-2. He also describes Telemachus' plight with the suitors. Peisistratos speaks and confirms their suspicions also explaining that they were sent by Nestor because Telemachus was seeking news of his father. Helen tells Menelaus that the guests have not yet introduced themselves but she is sure that one is Telemachus, the son of Odysseus. Telemachus is affected by this and he begins to weep. He says next that Odysseus went through more than anyone else. He tells them he would gladly have only a third of the wealth to have his friends back. Menelaus tells him that mortals cannot rival Zeus and describes how hard it was to get such wealth through seven years wandering and war. This is the way the court of Zeus must be, With bronze gold, amber, silver, and ivory!
"My dear friend, can you believe you eyes?. They sit down at the feast, but Telemachus does not stay silent. When they are ready, Menelaus welcomes them and asks to hear their names. After being led into the hall, Telemachus and Peisistratos are cleansed by hand-maidens and fed. Menelaus is indignant with this question as he tells the herald, because he would never have made it home if it were not for the charity of other hosts. When Telemachus and Peisistratos arrive, they are immediately announced to Menelaus, but the herald asks if they should invite them in. The travelers journey to the house of Menelaus who is holding a double wedding for his daughter to Achilles' son and another's daughter to his son.