Illustration of Odysseus tied to a ship's mast

The Odyssey

by Homer

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Student Question

How do Eumaeus and Philoetius assist Odysseus in The Odyssey?

Quick answer:

Eumaeus and Philoetius assist Odysseus by aiding in his plan to kill the suitors. Eumaeus, the swineherd, brings Odysseus his bow despite the suitors' objections, while Philoetius, the stockman, secures the hall doors to prevent the suitors' escape. Their assistance is crucial during the battle in Book 22, where they help Odysseus and Telemachus defeat the suitors by regaining their spears from the fallen enemies.

Expert Answers

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The answer to this can be found in Book 21.  This is the part of the story where the suitors are undergoing the test of the bow.  Odysseus is disguised as a swineherd and is planning to kill the suitors.  He reveals his true identity to these two guys and gets them to help him.

First of all, Eumaeus is the one who brings him his bow.  The suitors don't want him to, but Telemachus helps him and he manages is.  Second, Philoetius is the one who ties the doors of the hall shut.  He does this because Odysseus does not want any of the suitors to be able to escape alive.

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What does Odysseus ask Eumaeus and Philoetius to do in his plan?

Odysseus could not have killed all the suitors without their help, which he requests.  You will find the scene of their slaughter in Book XXII.  Here is an excerpt:

They therefore aimed straight in front of them and threw their spears. Ulysses killed Demoptolemus, Telemachus Euryades, Eumaeus Elatus, while the stockman killed Pisander. These all bit the dust, and as the others drew back into a corner Ulysses and his men rushed forward and regained their spears by drawing them from the bodies of the dead.

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