Eumaeus in the Odyssey by Homer

During their conversation, it becomes uncertain whether or not Eumaeus actually does recognize Odysseus. He does not admit to recognizing him, but as evidenced through his recounting of Odysseus' perils, it seems as though Eumaeus is attempting to remind Odysseus of his loyalty to him. Eumaeus laments his king, saying, ''As if the gods/had never given me blows and groans aplenty. . . /Here I sit, my heart aching, broken for him,/my master, my great king-fattening up/his own hogs for other men to eat, while he,/starving for food, I wager, wanders the earth,/a beggar adrift in strangers' cities, foreign-speaking lands. . .'' Through this lamentation, Odysseus is reminded of Eumaeus' love for and loyalty to him. In addition, readers will likely begin to speculate that Eumaeus does recognize Odysseus, as Eumaeus admits to being saddened by the thought of Odysseus roaming around as a beggar while Odysseus is sitting in front of him disguised as a beggar.

Telemachus and Odysseus in Eumaeus hut

In the meantime, Athena appears to Telemachus, telling him to return to Ithaka, specifically to Eumaeus' hut. Upon his arrival, Odysseus reveals his true identity to his son. Together, with Eumaeus, they plan to rid the land of Penelope's power-hungry suitors. After Odysseus wins the contest for Penelope, he reveals that he is, indeed, Odysseus, King of Ithaka, who has finally returned home. Eumaeus' role in Odysseus' royal reclamation is not a small one; his loyalty directly paves the way for Odysseus to reclaim what is rightfully his even though Eumaeus was bought as an enslaved person when he was a child. In truth, Eumaeus is such an admirable character because readers recognize that he has nothing to gain in helping the royal family or Odysseus. Instead, he chooses to remain loyal out of love and respect for them, nothing more. Through Eumaeus, Homer emphasizes the importance of friendship, integrity, hospitality, and loyalty.

Lesson Summary

Towards the end of Homer's the Odyssey, Odysseus, the hero of the story, finally returns home to Ithaka after ten years of thwarted efforts. Upon his arrival, Odysseus is unsure of whom he can trust, so he disguises himself as a beggar. His swineherd and close friend from childhood, Eumaeus, is the first to greet Odysseus. Eumaeus has known Odysseus since they were both children since Eumaeus was kidnapped and sold to King Laertes as an enslaved person. Though Odysseus is seemingly just an old beggar, Eumaeus treats him with respect, kindness, and hospitality, inviting him into his hut. After Odysseus wins the contest against the suitors, Odysseus reveals his identity to everyone, including Eumaeus.

While many readers may overlook Eumaeus as a simple swineherd, his devotion and loyalty to the royal family are unparalleled. Eumaeus grows especially close to Telemachus, acting as a father figure to him. In fact, Odysseus would not have been able to reclaim the throne without Eumaeus' help. Truthfully, there may not have even been a throne to reclaim if Eumaeus had not looked out for Penelope and Telemachus while Penelope's suitors were invading the palace, killing the livestock, and disrespecting the royal family. Through Eumaeus, Homer emphasizes the importance of friendship, integrity, hospitality, and loyalty.