Monologue From The Odyssey

Today my first task was to visit the swineherd and my father’s loyal friend, Eumaeus. Once I reached his home, his dogs began to crowd around me, yet did not bark or make any noise. I stood at the door as Eumaeus, startled, rushed towards me and began to kiss my head, and not long after, he began to cry. He has acted like the father-figure I never had since my dauntless father left around 20 years ago when I was only an infant, so I would understand why he acted in such a way. Ever since my father, Odysseus, went to war against the Trojans, I have been left alone with my mother, Penelope. I’ve heard many stories about him and his cunning ways. Many of his own men had returned after fighting that war, but my father was not amongst the ones who did,

His words were quick and wise as he said “Indeed, steadfast within your house she stays. Her dreary nights and days are wept away.” As we drew near inside his home, I saw a man I had never seen before. He looked like a beggar and was dressed in… He stood up gesturing me to take his seat, but I refused. The old beggar took his seat again as the kind swineherd heaped brushwood then he spread a fleece over it. I sat there while Eumaeus went to fetch some food. He came back with roast meat and a basket full of bread. He mixed honeyed wine in a bowl and not long after, we started to eat. I was quite curious of that old beggar. I turned to Eumaeus and questioned “Dear man, where does your guest come from? How did a crew bring him to Ithaca? And who were they? He surely did not come on foot.” Eumaeus was quick to reply as he told me the full story. The beggar was originally from Crete. He has roamed through many towns of mortals. Apparently he also fled Thesprótians’ ship, which is how he reached Eumaeus’ dear farm. The following words that Eumaeus said upset me “I put him in your