-Odysseus goes to the palace with Eumaeus. Before he gets there, he is exposed to the harsh realities of the state of his oikos. Melanthius, the goatherd, passes them on the road and mocks and abuses them. His cruelty and unpleasantness, reflects, to an ancient audience, the moral decline of the slaves without having a master to guide them, reflecting the importance to society of a strong household with a strong master. He is driving the goats to be slaughtered for a feast, which is an abuse of his master's possessions and he joins the suitors at their feast, which is another breach of ancient standards. Odysseus encounters his dog Argos, who recognises him, wags his tail and dies. His neglected state reflects the failing oikos