Telemachus Chapter 1-14 Summary

Chapter 15 starts off with Athena coming to Telemachus while he is in Sparta trying to fall asleep. She tells him that he needs to start on his journey home or most likely Eurymachus will marry his mother and take over the Odysseus’ throne. He should go to Eumaeus the loyal family swineherd, and have him tell his mother that he is back safe and sound. Telemachus wants to get moving at once he wakes up his companion Nestor’s son and at dawn they start their journey homeward. Menelaus gets Telemachus all the gifts that a gracious host gives when their guest is departing due to the Greek culture and xenia. As Telemachus was getting ready to leave Zeus sends a sign which is an eagle with a goose in its talons. After the already long journey Telemakus makes the request to Nestor's son …show more content…
He needs a ride to Ithaca and Telemachus allows him on the boat. While this is happening Odysseus is testing Eumaeus loyalty and seeing how loyal he really is. We learn about how Laertes came to “own” Eumaeus and how Laertes is. Telemachus arrives home and would offer his house to the stranger aboard his boat but currently it is filled with the suitors. Zeus sends another sign which this time is a hawk with a dove in its talons, and Theoklymenos interprets the sign to mean that Odysseus’ family will rule ithaca for a long time to come. Now as we get to chapter 16 Telemachus arrives at Emmaus’ house to find him talking to a beggar, which he does not know is his father. Telemachus is thinking out loud about how he is not strong enough and outnumbered by the suitors but Odysseus in disguise helps his son feel confident in himself. Telemachus sent Eumaeus to tell Penelope that he is home. Athena tells Odysseus to reveal himself to his son and let him know that he is alive. Odysseus reveals himself and tears are exchanged between father and son after not seeing each other for 19