Telemachus returns home to Ithaca from Sparta, accompanied by the seer Theoclymenus. Meanwhile, the elderly beggar Odysseus continues to beg at his own home and is mistreated by the suitors. Another beggar, Iros, arrives and challenges Odysseus to a boxing match. That night, Penelope interviews the beggar and asks Eurycleia to wash his feet, during which Eurycleia recognizes a scar on Odysseus' thigh and realizes he is her master. Odysseus swears her to silence about his identity.

1. Book XV

2. Athena arrives in Sparta

3. She lies to Telemachus to get him home

4. Telemachus heads to Ithaca, accompanied
by the exile/seer Theoclymenus

6. Odyssey XVI

13. Penny
scolds the
suitors.

15. Book XVII

16. Telemachus goes home

18. The maids are glad to see him

19. Then Telemachus goes to the assembly
Athena makes him
extra good-
looking.

20. He gives the gifts he got from Menelaus to
his friend Piraeus for safekeeping

21. Telemachus takes Theoclymenus home,
and Theo tells Penelope that her husband
is on Ithaca

22. The suitors have been frolicking in the
courtyard

23. They break
for dinner.

24. Ody goes to beg at his own home

30. Argus
by Alexander Pope
WHEN wise Ulysses, from his native coast
Long kept by wars, and long by tempests toss'd,
Arrived at last, poor, old, disguised, alone,
To all his friends, and ev'n his Queen unknown,
Changed as he was, with age, and toils, and cares,
Furrow'd his rev'rend face, and white his hairs,
In his own palace forc'd to ask his bread,
Scorn'd by those slaves his former bounty fed,
Forgot of all his own domestic crew,
The faithful Dog alone his rightful master knew!
Unfed, unhous'd, neglected, on the clay
Like an old servant now cashier'd, he lay;
Touch'd with resentment of ungrateful man,
And longing to behold his ancient lord again.
Him when he saw he rose, and crawl'd to meet,
('Twas all he could) and fawn'd and kiss'd his feet,
Seiz'd with dumb joy; then falling by his side,
Own'd his returning lord, look'd up, and died!

32. Telemachus shames the suitors into giving
the new beggar food

34. Antinous refuses, and throws a stool at
Odysseus

36. The suitors throw out the new beggar

37. The swineherd and Penelope rue the
treatment of the elderly guest, but are
ignored

38. Book XVIII

39. The beggar Iros arrives

46. Athena showers grace on Penelope

47. Penny scolds the
suitors, and tells
them if they want
to be taken
seriously they must
bring her gifts.

48. The suitors send their servants off to get
wonderful gifts

49. The suitors and the maids continue to
abuse the old beggar

50. Odyssey
XIX

51. Odysseus tells Telemachus to lock up all of
the weapons

53. Meanwhile, the maids are locked in their
rooms by Eurycleia

54. After Telemachus goes to bed, Penelope
comes downstairs to interview the
beggar

55. Penelope tells the “stranger” her
troubles

56. The beggar assures Penelope that
Odysseus will soon be home

58. Penelope asks Eurycleia to wash the
beggar’s feet

60. Eurycleia recognizes the scar on Odysseus’
thigh

63. Odysseus swears his old nurse to silence

64. The beggar interprets a dream Penelope
tells him she had

65. He foretells the destruction of the suitors

66. Penelope explains the bow contest she will
hold

67. Then Penelope goes up to bed