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The Odyssey Book XIX
In Book XIX of Homer's The Odyssey, Odysseus, posing as a poor beggar, has a discussion with Penelope regarding Odysseus himself, and how the "two" met. Readers may question why Penelope does not recognize her own husband. Later on, one sees that at least Eurycleia distinguishes Odysseus. Penelope reveals a dream she has had to Odysseus, asking for an explanation. This Book of The Odyssey brings forth an envisage regarding the death of the suitors that is soon to come.
Book XIX starts with Telemachus and Odysseus removing the arms by the light of Athena and storing them for safety as the suitors retreat for the night. Odysseus sends Telemachus off to bed and prepares "to test the women, test [Telemachus's] mother too" (391).1 Penelope, and everyone else for that matter, is now under the impression that Odysseus is a beggar. Melantho starts the discussion by lashing out on Odysseus. Penelope, in defense of the beggar, scolds Melantho, saying, "Make no mistake, you brazen, shameless bitch ... my heart breaks for him" (393).
Penelope, well aware of the relationship between the beggar and Odysseus, asks Eurynome to bring out a soft chair in order than the beggar can tell his story. She wishes to ask him careful details about his friendship with her missing husband. Odysseus begins by flattering Penelope, but she says her only concern is her husband whom she misses. She explains that a plan was devised by her, stating that when she finished a web she was weaving, she would marry a suitor. Each night she unraveled what she had done. She goes on to ask of the beggar's past.
The beggar mentions Crete and then Cnossos, where he says he had met Odysseus. He tells of how he then brought Odysseus to his home and "treated him in style" (396). He explains that the wind kept Odysseus and his crew at the beggar's home, and on the thirteenth day when the wind died down, the Achaeans could finally set sail for Troy. Penelope weeps as she listens to Odysseus's tale. To test the beggar further, Penelope asks what kind of clothes Odysseus wore, what cut he was, and what sort of people followed him.