Odysseus: Novel Summary: Chapters 23-24

Chapter 23: Eurykleia wakes Penelope and tells her that Odysseus has returned. She doesn't believe the nurse, and when she meets him, their reunion is awkward. Odysseus proves his identity by describing in detail the structure of their marriage bed, and so she finally breaks down and asks for forgiveness. Odysseus tells her the story of his wanderings, and they make love for the first time in twenty years.
Chapter 24: The suitors, in the land of the dead, tell Agamemnon and Achilles about Odysseus' killing them. Odysseus finds his father, Laertes, and the reunion is happy. Meanwhile, the relatives of the suitors' plan revenge on Odysseus for their deaths. Both sides begin to gather warriors, but before they can fight, Athena comes down in a goddess form and forces a peace on both of the sides. So, Odysseus is restored to his home and has taken vengeance on the evil suitors.