Music fills the hall, but not all who hear it are at ease. As the wooers settle into indulgence, their feast crowned with song, the distance between celebration and grief becomes impossible to ignore.

In this passage from The Odyssey, Book I, the minstrel Phemius performs for the wooers, compelled to entertain the very men who consume Odysseus’ household. Sitting beside the disguised Athene, Telemachus quietly reveals his resentment and sorrow—speaking of his father’s absence, the damage done in his name, and the bitterness of a hope that feels increasingly fragile.

This moment matters because Telemachus finally gives voice to his loss, transforming silent longing into spoken resolve and setting the stage for the questions that will define his path forward.

New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://theodysseypodcast.com

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Odyssey is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Homer’s classic epic — every day. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story of The Odyssey.

If you like this show, be sure to check out The Countdown of Monte Cristo — wherever you listen to podcasts!