Odyssey: Odysseus and Telemachus Reunion

Odysseus and Telemachus

• Odysseus and the swineherd are making breakfast and have a fire going
• Odysseus hears approaching footsteps but the dogs do not bark, so he assumes it's an acquaintance
• Telemachus enters, greeted by the dogs rubbing his knees

Reunion with Telemachus

• Eumaeus is overjoyed and kisses Telemachus
• Eumaeus had thought that he would never see Telemachus again after he had traveled to Pylos
• Eumaeus assumes Telemachus has come from the country to see how the suitors are behaving
• Telemachus said he wants to know about his mother
• Eumaeus tells him that she is still in Odysseus's house, grieving
• Odysseus offers Telemachus his seat, but Telemachus says he'll find another one

Telemachus and the Stranger

• Eumaeus spreads a fleece for Telemachus who is seated
• The swineherd hurries to feed the new guest, preparing cold meat, bread, and wine
• Telemachus wants to know where the stranger is from
• Eumaeus says the stranger has wandered through many countries seeking help
• Eumaeus declares that he has done all he can for him and now it is up to Telemachus
• Telemachus says he cannot defend his house but pledges to provide the stranger a cloak, shirt, shoes, and a sword to defend himself
• Telemachus requests Eumaeus keep the stranger away from his father's house due to the suitors' insolence

Odysseus Tests Telemachus

• Odysseus, eager to know his son's character, expresses shock at the suitors' behavior
• Odysseus asks why Telemachus permits such insolence and questions the support of his brothers
• Odysseus wishes he was young to fight the suitors

Telemachus's Situation

• Telemachus reveals the suitors are powerful and feared, and he lacks brothers for support
• Laertes had only Odysseus, and Odysseus only Telemachus, so the suitors cause havoc and may take his life
• All rests in the hands of the gods

Arranging a Plan

• Telemachus asks Eumaeus to tell his mother he is safe and to return secretly
• Eumaeus leaves for the city
• Telemachus falls asleep, dreaming of a woman at the gate, who transforms the beggar into a tall, noble figure

Father and Son Revealed

• Telemachus is startled by Odysseus's changed appearance from a beggar to a chief of men
• Odysseus reveals himself as Telemachus's father
• Odysseus shares his journey from the Phaeacians to Ithaca, the gifts hidden in a cave, and Athena's disguise
• He asks Telemachus about the suitors, their numbers and identities

Preparing to Deal with the Suitors

• Telemachus says they cannot deal with the suitors alone
• Odysseus says he will devise a plan, and instructs Telemachus to keep company with the suitors
• The plan involves the swineherd leading Odysseus into the city, disguised as a beggar
• Telemachus is instructed to endure any mistreatment of Odysseus and keep their plan a secret

Final Preparations

• Telemachus states that Odysseus will soon see his spirit and wisdom
• Eumaeus returns, unaware of Odysseus's true identity, as Athena restores Odysseus's beggar appearance
• Telemachus, the next day, states that he will go to town, and Eumaeus will bring Odysseus to town so he may beg there

Telemachus returns to Penelope

• Odysseus agrees that begging in the city is preferable
• Telemachus returns to the city and is greeted by Eurycleia, his nurse
• Penelope welcomes her son home

Revenge

• Telemachus updates Penelope on Nestor and Menelaus
• Telemachus tells Penelope to focus on praying for revenge as he has business to attend to
• Penelope agrees and retreats to pray with her handmaidens

On the Road

• Odyssesus and Eumaeus head to town
• Odysseus has a ragged bag and a staff
• They pause at a fountain where Melanthius, a goatherd, insults Eumaeus for bringing beggars
• Melanthius kicks Odysseus, who endures the abuse

Argos

• Odysseus and Eumaeus approach Odysseus's house where they see his old dog, Argos, lying neglected
• Argos recognizes Odysseus and tries to greet him before dying
• Argos waited twenty years for his master to appear, and now he had seen him at last

Odysseus Enters the Hall

• Odysseus,still disguised as a beggar, observes the suitors and sits within the hall.
• Telemachus provides food to the swineherd
• Odysseus receives food from Telemachus and eats while a minstrel performs

Insults

• As a song concludes, Odysseus begs in the room and is given something by a few suitors
• Antinous rebukes Eumaeus for bringing another beggar
• Telemachus defends the stranger and is met with insults
• Antinous throws a footstool

Testing the Suitors

• Odysseus confronts Antinous, suggesting he should give more generously
• Antinous throws the footstool, striking Odysseus
• Odysseus says that if there are gods willing to avenge the poor, then Antinous deserves a bad end.