The Odyssey Summary:Book 16
Book XVI begins with Telemakhos’ return home, but not with his crew; he returns on foot to Eumaios’ cabin in order to escape the suitors plans to murder him. At this time, Odysseus is with Eumaios, disguised by Athena as an old man in rags. This is Odysseus’ first encounter with his son in 20 years, and yet he must not reveal his identity. Telemakhos inquires of the visitor. Eumaois explains Odysseus’ claim of being a Cretan. Eumaois entrusts Odysseus to Telemakhos’ protection. Telemakhos offers hospitality, but he denies his home due to fear of the suitors harming his guest. Odysseus begins questioning Telemakhos’ reasoning for not having fought off the suitors all ready. “But tell me, are you resigned to being bled? The townsmen stirred up against you, are they by some oracle? Your brothers — can you say your brothers fail you?” (ll. 101-104). Telemakhos explains he has no brothers; he is an only son, and he is too young to be of any use against these suitors.
Telemakhos instructs Eumaois to tell Penelope of his safe return, but warns Eumaois to tell no one else of his return because the suitors want to kill him. Eumaois expresses concern for Laretes (Odysseus father), who has worsened in despair since Telemakhos left for Pylos. Telemakhos agrees to have word sent to Larates discreetly by his housekeeper. At Eumaois departure, Athena appears in her goddess form (only to Odysseus), and tells Odysseus to reveal his identity to his son. Athena lifts Odysseus’ disguise. Telemakhos believes Odysseus is a god because he has just changed form; he does not believe Odysseus is his father. Odysseus explains of Athena changing his form. An emotional moment of father and son embracing follows. Telemakhos questions Odysseus’ arrival, and Odysseus explains of the Phaikian’s assistance in his journey home. Odysseus explains that he is directed by Athena, and that they must plot against the suitors. Telemakhos expresses his doubts of two men taking on several numbers of suitors. Odysseus, at this point assuming a father-like role, assures Telemakhos that Zeus and Athena are on their side in combat, and lays out his plan against the suitors: Odysseus instructs Telemakhos to go home and “mingle with the princes” (line 287). Odysseus himself will come as a beggar. No matter how bad the suitors treat Odysseus (as a beggar) on his own land, Telemakhos must not intervene — they will face their doom. Odysseus will signal Telemakhos; he is to go to the hall and round up all the men’s armor and hide it in a vaulted storage room, but save two swords and two spears for himself and his father. Knowing no one is as crafty at lying as himself, Odysseus even provides Telemakhos with a crafty lie to tell the suitors upon inquiry of their armor. Telemakhos’ final instruction is to tell no one Odysseus is home, not even Laretes or Penelope.
Meanwhile, Telemakhos’ ship has docked. The suitors realize that their plans to murder Telemahkos have failed. Eupeithes gives speech to the other suitors that they must murder Telemakhos before he himself tells of the suitors plotted murder. Amphinomos, however, recommends the suitors consult the gods, “but I say halt if the gods are contrary” (line 445). Penelope (knowing of the plotted murder) questions Antinioos directly as to how he could dishonor Odysseus in his home like this (reminding him of how Odysseus helped Antinoos’ very own family). Antinoos flat out lies about trying to harm Telemahkos and acknowledges Odysseus’ hospitality towards him in the past.
The book closes with Odysseus being turned back into an old man in rags by Athena upon return home of Eumaois; so that, no one other than Telemakhos knows of Odysseus’ homecoming.