Summary

In the morning, Telemachus goes ahead to the palace alone, telling Eumaeus to bring their guest into town later. Telemachus first reassures his nurse and his mother that he is well. He then tells Penelope the news he gathered at Sparta. He meets his friends Peiraeus and Theoclymenus, who had traveled with him back to Ithaca. He brings them both to the palace.

Later, Eumaeus brings Odysseus (in beggar disguise) to the town. On the way, they meet Melanthius the goat-herder, who mocks them and then kicks Odysseus on the hip. Odysseus is angry but manages to stop himself from killing the goat-herd and thus giving away his identity and just rebukes him instead. Melanthius laughs at him and then goes into the palace, where he sits with the suitors...