Summary

Eurycleia, the maid for Odysseus' family, runs upstairs to notify Penelope that her husband has returned. When told this news, Penelope does not believe it, until seeing Odysseus with her very own eyes. Upon first reuniting, Penelope just stared with wonder until Telemachus scolds her, wondering why she is not more excited to see her long lost husband. Music begins to play, so no passerby will suspect a mass murder of suitors has just occurred, and they will think Penelope has just found a noble suitor to finally marry. Penelope then demands the maid to move their bed, still very suspicious this man is not Odysseus. However, this bed is impossible to move since Odysseus carved it out of the trunk of an olive tree. Odysseus explains this process down to the last detail, so Penelope knows this must be her husband. The next day, after spending the night telling stories of his travels to his wife, Odysseus and Telemachus leave with the help of Athena to set off to Laerte's (Odysseus' dad) orchard leaving Penelope behind.