Book Fifteen: The Prince Set Sail for Home

The Odyssey finally returns to Telemachus, who was at Menelaus's palace, worrying about his father. Athena comes over to Telemachus and urges him to go home since the suitors want to ambush him, but the earth will swallow some of them. Athena also points out that Penelope is being urged to marry Eurymachus. After reaching home, Telemachus is to visit the swineherd first, and send the swineherd to tell Penelope that he has returned. Telemachus wants to leave right away in the middle of the night, yet Pisistratus insists upon waiting for the morning and receiving Menelaus' gifts. Telemachus was given a mixing bowl, a robe for his future bride, and a two-handled cup. The gift giving exhibits the generosity of a host, and also the theme of hospitality throughout the book. While leaving, an eagle plucks up a goose, which is a sign that Odysseus will return and take revenge on the suitors. Telemachus goes onto his ship right away without seeing Nestor, and Theoclymenus asks to be taken aboard their ship. Theoclymenus is apparently a fugitive for killing a man with many brothers who are trying to kill him. Telemachus is a good host and allows Theoclymenus to tag along, and promises to care for him once they reach the palace. The seer Theoclymenus ends up staying with one of Telemachus' men as Telemachus is worried about the situation at the palace. Hospitality is displayed many times in this chapter, especially when Odysseus tests Eumaeus by suggesting that he (Odysseus) leaves and works for the suitors. Eumaeus disagrees, and Odysseus is allowed to stay. Eumaeus tells the tale of how he ended up in Ithaca with him being taken by a serving woman who escaped with some traders, and was sold to Laertes.