The Wine Red Sea: Journeys of Odysseus

Odysseus and Penelope Reunited, Book XXIII

At the end of Odysseus’ speech, Penelope replied that perhaps the gods would finally grant them peace in their old age. And then the man of many tales told his wife of his wanderings, the journeys he’d made, the sights he’d seen, the wonders that he witnessed. At last, his story finished, sleep overcame him and his cares were left behind. Athena, ever planning, had more work to do. She roused Odysseus from sleep at last, and he told Penelope that he would journey to his estate and visit his father. He advised her to keep to her chamber until he could settle the business with the relatives of the suitors. And so Odysseus, Telemachus, Eumaeus and Philoetius made their way to the estate of Laertes, noble father of Odysseus. Athena