The Odyssey: Summaries of Chapter 16-24

The Odyssey: Summaries of Chapter 16-24

Book 16: Odysseus Meets His Son

The wagging of dog's tales and the whisper of footsteps was the signal given to Odysseus that his son was approaching the swineherd's hut. As the god-like Telemachus entered the hut, Odysseus the beggar stood and the swineherd made him a seat so that they could eat of the meat and wine Eumaeus had to offer. After eating and having their fill, Telemachus bade Eumaeus to go and tell his mother, in secret, of his return home so that she would no longer need to worry. The loyal man left at once and the beggar and his son were left alone. While Eumaeus was away, father and son plotted revenge on the Suitors and hatched a most lethal scheme. Before the loyal man returned, Athene again touched the noble Odysseus with her golden wand and again he took on the guise of a beggar. Meanwhile, the Suitors now aware of Telemachus' return, gathered in the Assembly hall and plotted to kill the noble prince. A herald, Medon, who had overheard the treacheries of the ungrateful Suitors, returned at once to Penelope and warned her of their schemes. Infuriated, Penelope went before the Suitors, her shining veil pulled across her cheeks and she called out their leader Antinous. To this the deceitful Eurymachus falsely assured the queen that no harm would befall her son by their hands (Butler, 1952).

Book 17: Odysseus Goes To Town

As Dawn arose and brought the day, Telemachus departed from the hut of the gentle Eumaeus and went to present himself to his mother. When he entered his house the first to greet him was the faithful Eurycleia, who grabbed him in her arms as the other maids rushed around him and they kissed his head and shoulders. Directly his mother, the fine Penelope came to him with tears in her eyes and kissed his forehead and eyes, scolding him and showering him with tender affections. Presently he made his mother and the maids to go bathe and pray and he left to meet with his good friend Peiraeus. Odysseus, shot back with sharp edged words and Eumaeus also until the rest of the Suitors were all talking that it was wrong to insult a beggar for he very well might be a god. After this altercation, Odysseus the beggar returned to the threshold and sat with his sack of food until he was beckoned by the queen, to whom he replied he speak with after everyone else was asleep (Steiner & Homer, 2010).

Book 18: The Beggar in the Palace

As Odysseus the beggar sat calmly on the threshold he was approached by another vagrant who flung harsh words at him and suggested that he leave. Odysseus, however, did not take so kindly to this rude man and flew back at him with his own sharp words, in this way they came to blows. The Suitors, in favor of Irus, spurred the two men on ...