Where else would the comparison of a swineherd and a dog be found besides in The Odyssey. The names of the two characters that paralleled so well with each other were Argos, the dog, and Eumaeus, the swineherd. Even though Argos was mentioned very briefly in comparison to Eumaeus, much was learned about him in a short amount of time. Eumaeus ended up becoming a constant character in the epic and many details were revealed about his life. There were more similarities between the two characters than differences. Both characters showed abundant loyalty to Odysseus, as they referred to him as their “Master,” but while Eumaeus gave up hope of him returning, Argos did not. They also both did well at their jobs, even though shortly after Odysseus’
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Aye, leaving a broken heart for loved ones left behind, for me most of all. Never a master as kind as he’” (14.159-161). Once he saw Argos’ state upon his return to Ithaca a tear was shed, “’Odysseus glanced to the side and flicked away a tear, hiding it from Eumaeus…a dog like this lying on a dung hill…what handsome lines’” (17.333-338). This showed that he indeed cared for the dog. Argos is treated wrongfully once Odysseus leaves," poor fellow…his master’s dead and gone, so far from home, and the heartless women tend him not at all” (17.350-352). This shows that the only person who truly cared about Argos was Odysseus. Eumaeus was not treated well once Odysseus left either, not even by Penelope, as he stated, “’But from Queen Penelope I never get a thing, never a winning word, no friendly gesture, not since this, this plague has hit the house- these high and might suitors’” (15.419-422). Both characters lived with Odysseus, however, Argos knew Odysseus almost his entire life considering Odysseus had him since he was a puppy as was told, “It was Argos, long enduring Odysseus’ dog he trained as a puppy once, but little joy he got since he shipped to sacred Troy” (17.319-321). Since Argos knew Odysseus when he was a puppy it can be assumed that that is the reason for his extended amount of loyalty. Odysseus was Argos’ owner and the person that always cared for him, so Argos depended on Odysseus to live, which was why Argos would be so loyal to him. Eumaeus also knew Odysseus for a while. He was bought by Odysseus’ father as it is told, “’Until at last, the wind and current bore us on Ithaca, here where Laertes bought me with his wealth’” (15.538-540). Eumaeus was a playmate with Odysseus’ sister which shows he was there from a young age as can be seen, “‘She’d reared me herself, and right beside her daughter, Ctimene, graceful girl…Just the two of us, growing up together’”
Aye, leaving a broken heart for loved ones left behind, for me most of all. Never a master as kind as he’” (14.159-161). Once he saw Argos’ state upon his return to Ithaca a tear was shed, “’Odysseus glanced to the side and flicked away a tear, hiding it from Eumaeus…a dog like this lying on a dung hill…what handsome lines’” (17.333-338). This showed that he indeed cared for the dog. Argos is treated wrongfully once Odysseus leaves," poor fellow…his master’s dead and gone, so far from home, and the heartless women tend him not at all” (17.350-352). This shows that the only person who truly cared about Argos was Odysseus. Eumaeus was not treated well once Odysseus left either, not even by Penelope, as he stated, “’But from Queen Penelope I never get a thing, never a winning word, no friendly gesture, not since this, this plague has hit the house- these high and might suitors’” (15.419-422). Both characters lived with Odysseus, however, Argos knew Odysseus almost his entire life considering Odysseus had him since he was a puppy as was told, “It was Argos, long enduring Odysseus’ dog he trained as a puppy once, but little joy he got since he shipped to sacred Troy” (17.319-321). Since Argos knew Odysseus when he was a puppy it can be assumed that that is the reason for his extended amount of loyalty. Odysseus was Argos’ owner and the person that always cared for him, so Argos depended on Odysseus to live, which was why Argos would be so loyal to him. Eumaeus also knew Odysseus for a while. He was bought by Odysseus’ father as it is told, “’Until at last, the wind and current bore us on Ithaca, here where Laertes bought me with his wealth’” (15.538-540). Eumaeus was a playmate with Odysseus’ sister which shows he was there from a young age as can be seen, “‘She’d reared me herself, and right beside her daughter, Ctimene, graceful girl…Just the two of us, growing up together’”