Question

1. how do menelaus and his men trap proteus, the old man of the sea?
2. what news does proteus have about what happened to each of the three heroes who survived troy (ajax, agamemnon, and odysseus)?

Explanation:

For Question 13:

Menelaus and his men trap Proteus by first finding out from Eidothea (Proteus's daughter) that Proteus would come to the shore to sleep at noon. They then hide in a cave, wait for Proteus to arrive, and when he does, they rush out and hold him tightly. Proteus tries to escape by changing into various forms (like animals, fire, water, etc.), but they maintain their grip until he stops transforming and agrees to answer their questions.

For Question 14:

• Ajax: Proteus reveals that Ajax died. Ajax had been angry over not being awarded Achilles' armor (which went to Odysseus) and in his rage, he insulted the Greek army. Later, he felt remorse and, in a fit of madness, killed himself (or in some versions, was struck by Zeus' lightning for his hubris).
• Agamemnon: Proteus tells that Agamemnon was murdered when he returned home from Troy. His wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus conspired against him and killed him in his palace.
• Odysseus: Proteus reports that Odysseus was still alive but was being held captive by the nymph Calypso on the island of Ogygia. He was longing to return home to Ithaca but was prevented by Calypso, who wanted him to be her husband.

Answer:

Question 13 Answer:

Menelaus and his men, following Eidothea's advice, wait in a cave by the shore. When Proteus (the Old Man of the Sea) comes to sleep at noon, they rush out, hold him firmly. Despite Proteus transforming into various forms (animals, fire, water, etc.), they keep holding on until he stops and consents to speak.

Question 14 Answer:

• Ajax: Died (either by suicide out of remorse/rage or Zeus - struck for hubris).
• Agamemnon: Murdered by Clytemnestra and Aegisthus upon returning home.
• Odysseus: Alive but captive of nymph Calypso on Ogygia, longing to return to Ithaca.