Odyssey Study Guide Contents
In the 16th book of the Odyssey, Telemachus comes to the swineherd's lodge where Eumaeus gives him a father's welcome and whines that Telemachus seems to prefer the suitors to him.
Telemachus says he has come for word of his mother, enters the lodge, and rejects the Odysseus-beggar's offer of a seat. Instead he takes a seat that Eumaeus prepares for him. They then eat leftover meat, bread and wine. Only then does Telemachus ask where the stranger comes from.
Eumaeus says the stranger comes from Crete and claims to have drifted, coming most recently from a Thesprotian ship. Eumaeus adds that the beggar is counting on Telemachus for care and shelter.
Telemachus says he can't offer lodging, but he'll give a shirt, cloak, sword, and sandals. If Eumaeus is willing to keep him, Telemachus will also send rations of food. He then explains that the beggar shouldn't come to the palace because the suitors will be too abusive.
The beggar-Odysseus says it's painful to hear about the suitors and wonders why it goes on. If he were younger, he'd do something about it.
Telemachus says he's right, but there are no brothers or cousins to help. He tells Eumaeus to tell his mother that he is safely home, but not to let anyone else know because the suitors are plotting his death. When Eumaeus asks about telling Laertes, Telemachus says he should ask Penelope to send her housekeeper secretly. Eumaeus then goes off to do as told.
Athena appears and transforms Odysseus to his old self and tells him to tell Telemachus who he is.
Telemachus takes some persuading because the sudden shape-shifting makes him think Odysseus, whom he hasn't seen since he was a baby, is a god or spirit. Odysseus tells him his appearance is Athena's doing. He then tells the true story of his return with the help of the Phaeacians and lets Telemachus know that there are lots of glittering gifts hidden in a cave.
The two men discuss how to get at the suitors. Telemachus tells his father that there are too many suitors for the two of them to fight. From Dulichion alone there are 52.
Odysseus says Zeus and Athena will help. He warns his son not to do anything no matter how the suitors abuse him in his beggar-form. Athena will give him a sign and then he will nod to Telemachus to take all the weapons away, save two, one for each of them. When the suitors ask what's going on, Telemachus is to say that since they're drinking, he fears a quarrel will start and with the weapons present, bloodshed will follow.
Odysseus warns his son not to let anyone know he has returned. They agree on the need to test the serving women for fidelity.
While Telemachus and Odysseus conspire, the ship Telemachus landed on goes to the main Ithacan harbor and sends a messenger to Penelope to tell her her son is home safe and sound. The messenger runs into Eumaeus on a similar mission. The messenger announces the homecoming to all, while Eumaeus whispers his secret message.
The suitors are disappointed that their ambush failed and are about to send someone to tell the other suitors -- the ones who were waiting to kill Telemachus -- to return, but they're already there. Alcinous complains that the gods must have saved Telemachus. They should leave the palace and kill Telemachus outside of town. Penelope should keep the palace and give it to the man she chooses to marry picked on the basis of gifts they send her. Amphonomus of Dulichion, who most pleases Penelope of all the suitors, says he doesn't want to kill Telemachus unless Zeus approves.
The suitors then enter the palace. Penelope, who has heard the plot to kill Telemachus, screams at Antinous. She reminds him his father came as a fugitive and Odysseus protected him.
Eurymachus tries to calm her by telling her no one would strike Telemachus while he's there.
Penelope goes to her room to weep.
Eumaeus goes home where he finds Odysseus looking like a beggar again and where the Odysseus-beggar and Telemachus son are cooking dinner that includes a yearling pig.
Quiz on Odyssey Book XVI
Book XV Summary|Book XVII
Read a Public Domain translation of Odyssey Book XVI.
Next: Major Characters in Book XVI, Notes on Odyssey Book XVI
