d.

The next part of the plan is that Ulysses in disguise shall go to the
palace and see for himself the wrongs done to his House, and experience
some of these wrongs in his own person. Then too he can make
preparations on the spot and select the time for striking. Also he
wishes to test a little further the wife Penelope. Another period of
disguise is necessary in order to get rid of the necessity of disguise
and vindicate the right. Zeus is with him, he is the bearer of
universal justice, which he is to establish anew; but Pallas must also
be with him in the act, for it requires all his skill and cunning and
forethought.

Thus the father and son are united in spirit; the last obstacle, which
was the disguise, is removed, and they behold each other as they are in
truth. The recognition is not merely an external one of face and form,
or even of the tie of kinship and affection; it is in both a
recognition of the Divine Order of the World, which they are now called
upon to maintain in their own persons, and to re-stablish in their
country.

II. The scene passes from the hut of the swineherd to the palace, where
the Suitors soon hear of the safe return of Telemachus. Antinous also
comes back, foiled and evidently angered; he proposes to the Suitors
that they should slay Telemachus "in the fields or on the highway"
wherever found, or renounce the suit for Penelope in the palace: "Let
each one woo her from his own house with gifts."

It is clear that such a violent measure as the assassination of the
royal heir in his own territory finds small response even among the
Suitors. Antinous says that the people are no longer friendly; he
thinks, when they hear of the recent ambush, that they may rise and
drive out the aggressors. Still they do not rise, and probably Antinous
tried to frighten the Suitors into his drastic method. But he did not
succeed, Amphinomus clearly voices their sentiment, and the council
dissolves.

Soon it is seen that Antinous has lost his cause. Penelope appears and
gives him a thorough tongue-lashing, in which she also tells his
antecedents. "Thy father came to us, a fugitive from the people," who
were angry at him on account of his piratical misdeeds; "they wanted to
kill him, and tear out his heart, and pillage his large wealth"
evidently gotten unlawfully. "But Ulysses restrained them," and now
this is your gratitude: "you waste his property, woo his wife, slay his
son, and worry me to death."