Why does Odysseus disguise himself as a beggar?
Odysseus is disguised as a beggar by the goddess Athena, who is helping him plot his revenge against the suitors who are courting his wife. From the vantage point of a beggar in his own court, Odysseus is able to assess who remains loyal to him, who the suitors are, their habits, and he is able to sow dissent amongst them. The information he gleans allows him to formulate a plan for revenge.
