Eumaeus

• only character addressed directly by Homer - particular affection for him
• important go-between
• gives Penelope the message that Telemachus has returned
• takes Odysseus from his hut to the palace
• takes food from his farm to the Suitors
• takes messages between Penelope and the beggar
• takes the bow from P to the Suitors and from the Suitors to the beggar
• male counterpart to Eurycleia
• calls Telemachus 'child', kisses his forehead and treats him like a father
• at the banquet, they sit together and make plans
• astute - noticed something different about the beggar
• doesn't fully believe the stranger's stories
• protective of him and discusses how he can best enter the palace
• Eumaeus describes Ody's decision of not talking to P as good sense and defends it to P
• proud of his job and keen to do his best for the absent Ody
• opposite of Melanthius
• criticises Melanthius for not looking after his herd properly
• the callousness of Melanthius demonstrates we are not sorry for his fate
• Homer draws sympathy for him through his interactions with the Suitors in bk 21
• they hate him, calling him the miserable swineherd or, mockingly, the distinguished swineherd
• shows courage and loyalty, defies the taunts of the Suitors and hands the bow to Ody
• his loyalty is never in doubt
• Ody leaves it until the last moment to reveal his identity to him
• Eumaeus' ignorance of Ody's identity increases the dramatic irony throughout all scenes with Ody and T