Book XXIII of twenty-four · The Bow and the Blood
Bed’s secret proves Odysseus to Penelope
Eurycleia wakes Penelope with news that Odysseus has slain the suitors, but the queen refuses to believe it until she descends and sees the stranger for herself. Odysseus, transformed by Athena, wins her trust by describing the bed he built from a living olive tree, a secret known only to them. Reunited, they share their sufferings, and Odysseus tells of the prophesied journey still to come before departing at dawn for his father’s farm.
Argument, 1871 Descent of Penelope to the hall —Her doubts of the identity of Odysseus removed by evident tokens given by Odysseus —Her transport at their removal —His narrative of his adventures —Departure of Odysseus with his son, the herdsman, and the swineherd, to the country.