Book 4 in short: Telemachus at Sparta

At Sparta Menelaus and Helen receive Telemachus. Menelaus tells how, in Egypt, the sea-god Proteus told him that Odysseus was alive on Calypso's island.

In Ithaca the suitors learn that Telemachus has gone and plan to ambush his ship on his way home. Penelope hears of it and is afraid. The goddess Athena comforts her in a dream.