Visting with Penelope

The beggar travels to the palace so he may inform Penelope about what he has heard regarding the whereabouts of her long lost and greatly missed husband, Odysseus.  During the delightfully tasty meal, the suitors are very rude, poking fun at the beggar. After the meal, Penelope invites the beggar to her rooms.  There Penelope, not the most secretive of women, lets it slip that she has decided to move on from Odysseus and marry one of the many suitors, clamoring to marry her.  Penelope has designed a test to determine which of the men she is to marry.  Odysseus can not believe what he has just been told. Now he knows he must take the test, because only he is worthy of marring the beautiful Penelope.

Telemachus returns! ( to Ithaca)

Odysseus' son, Telemachus, had left home to see if he could find any word on his father.  Telemachus was only a small boy when his father had left.  On Telemachus' way into Ithaca, he visits Eumaeus', a swineherd, hut.  Eumaeus informs Telemachus that his mother is still being pestered by the many suitors who wish to marry her now that Odysseus is gone.  Athena has cleverly disguised the strong and brave Odysseus as a poor, lonely beggar.  The ' beggar' is also visiting the swineherd's hovel.  This means Telemachus will not recognize his father.  The three men share a meal together.  Eumaeus then goes to inform Penelope about her son's arrival back home.  While Eumaeus is gone, Athena appears and changes Odysseus back into his handsome self.  Telemachus does not believe his eyes and assumes it is just a cheap trick.  But Odysseus is able to convince his son of his true identity and together they have an emotional reunion.