Books: XIV and XV

The Odyssey Books XIV, XV (optional)
In Book XIV, the reader is introduced to Emmaeus. What kind of guy is he? What do you learn about his relationship with Odysseus and his family? Why do you think Odysseus (disguised as a poor beggar) tells Emmaeus the “tall tale” about where he has been and what he has been doing (page 279+)? How does Emmaeus treat Odysseus? Why?

Eumaeus is a very hospitable man. He opened up his home to Odysseus even though he was not aware of who he was. He gave him a place to stay and offered him food. We find that Eumaeus and Odysseus have had a past history between one another. Odysseus' father Laertes was the one who bought Eumaeus. He came over with a woman who used to take care of him, but when she died he became a slave. He was sold to Laertes for a just price and was never treated badly. He was very blessed to have had been a part of Laertes' family. Eumaeus even said that himself. I think Odysseus disguised himself because he knew he had to think of a plan for the suitors before they found out who he was. The story just added to the plan. He treated Odysseus so nicely because he seemed to have looked up to Laertes. Knowing how well he had been treated made him want to treat others with the same respect.