Odyssey Book 15 - 16
Telemachus is in Sparta. Athena meets him there, imploring him to return home quickly, to prevent the suitors from taking Penelope's hand. Athena also warns him of the suitors' plan to ambush him. She provides a way to circumvent it but then instructs him that the first place he must go to is the swine farm where Eumeaus is at.
As Telemachus prepares to depart for Ithaca, an eagle carrying a goose appears. This is interpreted as a sign that Ulysses will take out revenge upon the suitors. Next, Theoclymenus, a man fleeing prosecution after being accused of killing a man, asks Telemachus if he may join the voyage. Telemachus agrees.
Telemachus arrives at the swine farm, and Athena transforms Ulysses into a grand and youthful version of himself. The reunion of father and son is good. However, Eumaeus is still not aware that the beggar is Ulysses.
Athena then returns Ulysses to his beggar disguise, and a plan is made to defeat the suitors. Ulysses will join the group, disguised as a beggar, while Telemachus hides away most of the weapons, leaving only weapons for Telemachus and Ulysses.
Meanwhile, the suitors continue to plan the assassination of Telemachus. Of the 108 suitors, three are notable, and all speak to the group: Antinous, the most aggressive one, and the self-appointed leader of the suitors wish to assassinate Telemachus immediately and quickly seize all of the land and assets. Eurymachus, on the other hand, tries to be subtle, while Amphinomus suggests that it might be better to wait and see if the gods have a plan. Most of the suitors agree with him, so Antinous' plan is abandoned.
Penelope chastises the suitors for their treatment of Telemachus. One suitor, Eurymachus, calms her down with lies and misdirection when he tells her that he cares very much for Telemachus, claiming even to love him like a son.
Analysis
Athena is critical to the success and survival of Ulysses and Telemachus. Both men are grateful for the assistance. She guides Telemachus around the ambush planned by the scheming suitors, allowing his survival and subsequent meeting with Ulysses.
Ulysses grows to like Eumaeus more and more. Eumaeus is hospitable and welcoming to Ulysses, and speaks of his history, which Ulysses was unaware of. We learn that Eumaeus came from royal lineage, but had eventually been sold as a slave, purchased by Ulysses' father, Laertes.
