Keyword Guide · study-guide
Book 15 of Homer’s epic marks a turning point as Telemachus finally ends his travels to return to Ithaca. This section highlights the parallel journeys of father and son as they prepare for their eventual reunion and the confrontation with the suitors.
The book opens with the goddess Athena appearing to Telemachus in Sparta. She urges him to return home immediately, warning him of the suitors' ambush and advising him to seek out the swineherd Eumaeus upon arrival. Before leaving, Telemachus receives parting gifts from Menelaus and Helen. A significant omen occurs—an eagle clutching a white goose—which Helen interprets as a sign that Odysseus will soon return to exact revenge on the suitors.
As Telemachus prepares to sail from Pylos, he is approached by Theoclymenus, a prophet and descendant of famous seers who is fleeing a murder charge. In a show of Greek hospitality (xenia), Telemachus grants him passage to Ithaca. Theoclymenus serves as a literary device to reinforce the themes of fate and divine prophecy, further validating the signs of Odysseus's imminent return.
While Telemachus is at sea, Odysseus—still disguised as a beggar—remains with Eumaeus. To test the swineherd's loyalty and hospitality, Odysseus suggests he might leave for the palace, but Eumaeus insists he stay. During their conversation, Eumaeus shares his life story: he was a prince kidnapped by Phoenician pirates and sold into slavery to Laertes. This narrative deepens the reader's understanding of Eumaeus’s character and his unwavering devotion to Odysseus's family.
Telemachus successfully avoids the suitors' blockade and lands on a remote part of Ithaca. He directs his crew to the city while he heads toward Eumaeus’s hut, as Athena instructed. Another omen appears—a hawk with a dove—which Theoclymenus interprets as a favorable sign for the house of Odysseus. The book ends with the stage set for the father and son to finally meet.
The omens of the eagle and the hawk serve as divine confirmation that Odysseus is returning to reclaim his throne. They build narrative tension and provide hope to Telemachus that his father is alive and near.
Eumaeus’s story highlights the themes of fate and social status. Despite his royal birth, he became a servant, yet he maintains a sense of nobility through his extreme loyalty and adherence to the laws of hospitality.
Athena directs Telemachus to the swineherd to ensure his safety from the suitors' ambush at the palace. It also ensures that the reunion between father and son happens in a controlled, private environment.
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