Odysseus hid his identity from everyone except his son Telemachus so that he will see who is loyal to him and who is not. And then, he revealed his plans of how to kill the suitors to his son who follows just what his father told him.
Book XXII narrates the killing of these suitors and the eventual hanging of the maids who had been disloyal towards him and his family.
Explanation:
Book XVI of the text "The Odyssey" by Homer tells of the moment Odysseus reveals his true identity to his son Telemachus at the hut of the swineherd Eumeus. he also told him of his plot to attack the suitors that have overtaken his home and kingdom.
Odysseus told Telemachus to not say anything to anyone, even Laertes or Penelope about his arrival. Instead, he instructed him to go home as usual and entertain the suitors. Then he should "collect all the armor that is in the house and hide it in the strong store room" except "a sword and a spear apiece and a couple of ox-hide shields" which they will use when the time comes to attack the suitors. With the help of Minerva, he will inflict chaos upon the suitors and kill them all for the trouble they have inflicted upon the people as well as his own house. he also advised him not to tell any of the servants of the house so that they can "see who is on our side and whose hand is against us".
Later, when Eumeus and Odysseus (still disguised as a beggar) came to the palace, he was insulted by the suitors. But he did nothing and waited for the right time to attack. After several days, he and Telemachus did exactly what they had planned and attacked the suitors while they were all in the hall( Book XXI). Killing everyone, Odysseus thus cleansed his house and kingdom from the evil suitors. In the process leading to this event, Odysseus also proved his identity to his wife Penelope during the trial of the bow (Book XXI). Thus, he retained all of his kingdom and accomplished his goal.
