Book XIX · Episode 5 of 6

The Scar Revealed

Eurycleia finds the boar-scar, swears silence

Scenes

1. Eurycleia’s Sorrow — Eurycleia mourns her master, washes his feet
   • She laments Zeus’ denial despite his piety
   • She imagines distant maids mocking her master
   • The stranger’s shape and voice echo her lord
   • Odysseus says others note the likeness too
2. The Scar’s Origin — Eurycleia recalls a boar gashing his leg
   • Odysseus edges into shadow near the fire
   • She touches the scar while washing his feet
   • Hunt at Parnassus with Autolycus’ sons
   • He drives his spear through its shoulder
   • Autolycus’ sons heal the wound, send gifts
3. The Old Nurse Knows — Eurycleia finds the scar, drops the basin
   • Joy and grief flood her all at once
   • Touching his chin, she declares him Odysseus
   • She turns to alert Penelope of the truth
   • Athena keeps the queen from noticing
   • Odysseus grips her throat, pulls her close
4. A Sworn Silence — Odysseus grips throat, binds her to secrecy
   • He demands whether she means to ruin him
   • He warns she may share the suitors’ fate
   • Eurycleia swears her mind unyielding as steel
   • She offers to name disloyal and loyal maids
   • Odysseus refuses, vows to judge them himself