Book Four: The King and Queen of Sparta

It was interesting when Eteoneus asked Menelaus whether they should welcome Telemachus and Pisistratus into their house, and Menelaus pointed out how other people had welcomed them (Menelaus and company) over the years into their houses. Menelaus exemplifies the importance of hospitality when he welcomes Telemachus to a feast, even as his children are having a wedding. Menelaus also gave Pisistratus and Telemachus the best part of the meat. That Menelaus only recognized Telemachus once he began to cry at Odysseus' fate seems odd.
A lot of Menelaus' troubles seem to have arisen from angering a god, as have the problems of Ajax and Odysseus. Menelaus teaches Telemachus about respecting the gods.
It seemed unlikely that the suitors would really want to attempt to kill Telemachus after  Noemon pointed out how it seems that a god boarded the ship with Telemachus since Mentor is still in Ithaca.

Book Three: King Nestor Remembers

I found it interesting how Telemachus lacks confidence in asking Nestor questions, when later on he uses his words quite adeptly with Menelaus and Nestor. Nestor was able to tell that Telemachus was definitely Odysseus' son since Telemachus used his words so well.
Telemachus wished for the power to rid his house of the suitors as Orestes killed Aegisthus. This makes an even stronger parallel between Odysseus' and Agamemnon's situations. Athena indirectly points out that Odysseus' current predicament is better then that of Agamemnon. She says that it is better to take years to return than die once reaching his own house quickly, like Agamemnon.
Nestor is a good example for Telemachus when it comes to hospitality and respect for the gods. Nestor welcomes all into his house, and shows proper respect for Athena by presenting her with the cup as she is the older guest. Nestor also demonstrates his respect through large sacrifices, such as the one that was going on for Poseidon. He also prays to the gods every night and holds a ceremony for Athena when she reveals that she visited him.

Book Two: Telemachus Sets Sail

In book two, Telemachus called together an assembly to point out the problem of the suitors, and how he was going to be heading off to Pylos and Sparta. I found it interesting how Telemachus almost blamed his neighbors more than the suitors for the suitor's actions. He pointed out how if they set the "parasites" of the suitors on him, it would have been better if it was themselves instead. That way he could get his goods back. It was nice to know that other people cared about and acknowledged the problem when Mentor told the other people at the assembly that they should have corrected the suitors behavior. Mentor points out that there are many more people than suitors, and the Odysseus was a kind ruler whose household does not deserve its current state.
The way that Antinous describes the situation is very different from how we have seen it. Antinous says that it is Penelope's fault since she played with all of the suitors' hearts. Penelope had promised to finish her weaving, and would marry once she had finished it. However, she would undo her work at night until one of the women told on the queen. Even though this is true, the suitors' actions are not explained by Penelope's unwillingness to marry.

Book One: Athena Inspires the Prince

I found it interesting how Homer chose to open the book with a summary of the current situation in the form of a council of the gods. It reveals information that is not revealed to Telemachus until much later. What I wondered is if Hermes told Aegisthus what would happen if Aegisthus stole Agamemnon's wife, why did Athena send Telemachus on a quest for information? She could have just found a way to prove it to him. I understand why it occurred, however the huge transformation in Telemachus seems sort of unbelievable to me. After one short talk with Athena, Telemachus went from a weak, submissive, grieving boy to a man who stands up against the plague of suitors and commands his mother to return to her rooms.