Summary of Odyssey Book XXIII

Odyssey Study Guide Contents

At the start of Book XXIII, Eurycleia wakes Penelope to tell her that her husband has returned and killed the suitors. Penelope thinks Eurycleia has gone mad. She tells her to go to the hall, but Eurycleia says she's telling the truth and Telemachus knew all along.

Penelope gets up in excitement. She asks how Odysseus killed the suitors. Eurycleia says she didn't see, but could only hear the groaning until Telemachus came to get her.

She found Odysseus splattered like a lion. They fumigated the house and then sent her to fetch Penelope.

Penelope counters that an immortal has killed the suitors and Odysseus has died.

Eurycleia says she'll give Penelope proof and tells about the boar tusk scar. She says Penelope can kill her if she's lying.

Penelope still thinks the gods have deceived Eurycleia, but wants to see that the suitors are dead.

When they descend, Penelope maintains a distance from Odysseus. She alternates between belief and disbelief. Telemachus tells her she should sit by her husband.

She says if it really is her husband, she and he will recognize each other by signs.

Odysseus tells Telemachus to let Penelope test him, but that right now, while he's filthy they should consider what to do about the families of the men they've killed.

He says they should get washed and dressed and dance as if at a wedding before the rumor of the deaths gets out.

Eurynome bathes and dresses Odysseus. Athena adds to his grandeur.

Odysseus asks for a bed and Penelope tells Eurycleia to prepare the one Odysseus built outside the chamber.

Odysseus asks who moved his bed. He had built it and then built a room around it.

This is the sign Penelope was waiting for. She cries and runs to her husband. Penelope asks her husband not to be upset that she didn't immediately accept him as her husband.

Odysseus holds her and cries, too. He says they should go to bed, but Penelope says she wants to hear of his trials.

Odysseus gives an abbreviated version and Eurynome leads them to the bed. Then Telemachus, Eumaeus and Philoetius also go to bed.

After Odysseus and Penelope make love, they tell each other about what has gone on in the other's absence. Then Odysseus falls asleep.

Athena awakens Odysseus when she thinks he's had enough sleep. He tells Penelope the Achaeans will give him back sheep to replace those the suitors slaughtered. He says he will go to his father and Penelope should sit with her women and not answer any questions about the slaughter of the suitors.

He gets up and arms himself and tells Telemachus, Eumaeus and Philoetius to get their war gear. When they arm, Odysseus leads them from the city.