Final answer:
The 'beggar' (Odysseus in disguise) tells Penelope about meeting Odysseus, describing him in heroic terms to build credibility and evoke nostalgia and hope.
Step-by-step explanation:
The "beggar" in the Odyssey, who is actually Odysseus in disguise, recounts a story to Penelope about how he met Odysseus and gives vivid descriptions of him. These details are designed to reassure Penelope and also to prepare her and others for his eventual return. The beggar describes Odysseus as a heroic figure, speaking of his prowess and great deeds. By doing so, he is able to invoke a sense of nostalgia and hope in Penelope, while also sowing the seeds for his own successful reclaiming of his household upon his unveiling. The descriptions serve a dual purpose: they not only offer information that only Odysseus would know, thereby building credibility, but also highlight the excellence and heroic nature of Odysseus, resonating with the Greek concept of arete.