In Book 19, how does Eurycleia, the loyal nurse, finally recognize Odysseus after all these years?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When analyzing the question about Eurycleia's recognition of Odysseus in Book 19, several possibilities must be weighed step by step.
Option 1: 'She recognizes a scar on his leg while washing his feet.' This aligns with the text: Eurycleia notices the old scar on Odysseus's leg, which only the loyal nurse would know about, and this discovery reveals his identity. The moment hinges on memory of a personalized detail, making this explanation historically and textually consistent.
Option 2: 'She notices his distinctive royal crest hidden beneath his disguise.' This is inaccurate because the scene centers on the physical scar rather than any insignia or hidden royal mark. The crest is not the clue used by Eurycleia in the encounter.
Option 3: 'Odysseus reveals his true identity to her through a secret code.' The narrative does not depict Odysseus voluntarily sharing a code at this juncture; the revelation is prompted by Eurycleia recognizing the scar, not by a deliberate code transmission.
Option 4: 'Athena grants her the ability to see through the disguise.' While Athena is present in the epic and assists Odysseus in various ways, the recognition by Eurycleia arises from her own memory and observation, not a supernatural casting of perception by Athena in this moment.
In summary, Option 1 is the essential clue in this scene, grounded in a personal, physical detail Eurycleia had previously known about Odysseus. The other options introduce elements (crests, code, divine intervention) that do not match the events as described during the recognition in Book 19.

CLAS 2220 AU2025 (16301) Module Exam 3: DUE Friday 12/12

In Book 19, how does Eurycleia, the loyal nurse, finally recognize Odysseus after all these years?

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