 Begins at dawn, Eumaios, the swineherd, and Odysseus are preparing for breakfast. Odysseus hears the dogs’ feet pattering as they gather around Telemachos and don’t bark.  Telemachos comes to the swineherd’s house. The swineherd greets him as if he were his own son.  Telemachos asks Eumaios what his mother is doing, if she still stays true to Odysseus and hasn’t remarried. Eumaios tells him she spends her day grieving and greeting; she still hasn’t accepted any of the suitors.  Telemachos enters the house and the three eat. Then Telemachos asks Eumaios about the stranger, disguised Odysseus. Eumaios says where Odysseus pretended he was from, Crete, and tells Telemachos that the stranger asked for refuge with him.

 Telemachos says he would help the stranger, but he doesn’t want him to go among the pretenders, the suitors, for they will insult and possibly attack him  Odysseus speaks up and asks why these people are a problem, why no one helped him get rid of them  Telemachos explains and sends Eumaios to tell his mother that he has returned, safe.  Once Eumaios leaves Athena comes to tell Odysseus to tell Telemachos everything. She changes him back to his younger, better looking self.  Telemachos thinks Odysseus is a god. Odysseus reassures him he’s actually his father.

 Odysseus asks how many suitors there are › Dulichion – two and fifty, six servants › Zacynthos – twenty › Ithaca – twelve › Medon, the marshal, a fine singing-man, a couple of carvers  Telemachos asks who would help them, Odysseus replies that Zeus and Athena our on their side

 Telemachos will return at dawn and act normal. Odysseus will come later as a beggar with the swineherd.  Athena will reveal the right time and Odysseus will signal Telemachos with a nod. Then Telemachos will remove the armor and weapons from the walls and store them elsewhere. He will leave 2 spears, 2 swords, and a few shields for Odysseus and himself to use.  Telemachos must tell no one that Odysseus has returned. Odysseus will go to the women and farmhands to find out who fears and respects them.  Telemachos suggests only speaking to the women since going to all of the men would take too long.

 The ship Telemachos took to Pylos returns to Ithaca. Messenger sent from ship to tell Penelopeia that Telemachos is okay, announces news to whole house so suitors know Telemachos returned safely.  Swineherd arrives at same time, takes Penelopeia aside and tells her everything Telemachos told him to tell.  Suitors discuss what to do next, group waiting to ambush Telemachos return. Antinoos suggests killing Telemachos in the country on the way to town. Amphinomos says he won’t kill him unless the oracles of Zeus consent.  Penelopeia, having learned about the murderous plan, yells and scolds them for planning to kill her son. Eurymachos says no one will kill her son while he’s alive, but as he says this his is plotting to murder him.

 Athena makes Odysseus look old and ragged again.  Eumaios returns to his hut and tells Telemachos and Odysseus about the ship he saw full of men and spears and shields. He thinks they are the suitors.  They eat supper and go to sleep. Telemachos and Odysseus with Athena behind them