He visits his son and his servant and is disguised as a beggar.
he is disguised as a beggar. Athena disguises him like that.
Athena- disguised as a young Ithacan.
When Odysseus wakes up on the shore of Ithaca, he meets Athena. He does not know it is Athena, though, because she is disguised.
He was disguised as an old man, by her magic.
She disguised Odysseus as an old beggar, so he couldn't be recognized by anyone on Ithaca.
The symbolic meaning and practical application of the old beggar is so nobody will know that Odysseus is back to Ithaca. So if Odysseus came back not disguised everyone would know that he is back in Ithaca.
The loyal shepherd who helps Odysseus when he returns to Ithaca is Eumaeus. He provides shelter and aid to Odysseus disguised as a beggar, ultimately aiding him in his plan to reclaim his household from the suitors. Eumaeus remains faithful to Odysseus throughout his absence and plays a crucial role in his reunion with his family.
The first person to approach Odysseus upon his return to Ithaca is Athena disguised as a young shepherd. She warns him that his home is full of enemies and advises him on how to handle the situation.
eumaeus the swineherd
disguised himself as a beggar, then shot an arrow through ax holes into the target
Odysseus disguised as the beggar tells Penelope that Odysseus was with the Thesprotians gathering treasure, but that he has gone to Dodona to determine's Zeus' high mind. Odysseus says that Odysseus has lost all his crew on the Thrinacian island, but has himself survived and will be coming back to Ithaca soon.
When Odysseus returns to Ithaca from his voyage at sea, he is disguised as a beggar and lives with Eumaeus, the swineherd. Odysseus then must win the contest of strining a bow and shooting an arrow through axe-heads that Penelope set up. After he has done this, he must battle his wife's suitors and reclaim his spot as king.