Book 19-Meeting With The Queen

I told my son to take all of the weapons and move them to the inner room. I helped him move all of the weapons, and he left for bed. I went to have my meeting with Penelope. Melanthos yelled at me for acting so strange, Penelope came and took me away. We sat and we started talking. She asked about my family and myself. I didn't want to talk about those things because they made me sad. She then told me about her years at home without me. I then started telling her about my story, and how I knew about Odysseus. She shed many tears from hearing of me, but she wanted to make sure that I was telling the truth. I told her of exactly what they were wearing, and she knew that I wasn't lying. She seemed hopeless of his return, so I told her that he is coming home right now. Although she wants him home, it was still hard for her to believe he was coming. For my stories, she offered me a bath and fresh clothes. As I was being bathed, the maid recognized me, and I told her to keep my secret so my plan will continue on course. She then asked to interpret her dream. I finished my conversation with Penelope by promising her that I would come very soon.

I couldn't stand looking at my great wife cry and not do anything about it. When she cried, I thought, "Imagine how his heart ached for his lady, his wife in tears; and yet he never blinked..." (360). It took most of my strength to hold me back from embracing her. Althought that is what I should have done, I couldn't let my cover give away. If she finally knew who I was, my plan to stop the suitors wouldn't end up working. This is necessary to achieve my goal.

Even when I told Penelope that I was coming home soon, it was hard for her to believe that I really was coming. She said, "But my heart tells me what must be. Odysseus will not come to me..." (363). This wasn't the response that I had in mine. I thought that she would be extremely excited for my return. Even though she showed signs of happyness, she was more negative than positive. It is hard for people to keep hope for something after many years.