Odysseus’s "crafty intelligence" can be seen as soon as he reaches Ithaca through his choice to disguise himself as a beggar. His ability to suppress his childish impulses, even after being away for so long shows the reader that Odysseus has become a man on his journey. He has overcame his Oedipus complex and is ready to exert his phallic power in his home once the moment is right. The suitors obviously have not come of age per se and they represent childish desire to have a mother and lover in one person. Instead of going out into the world and toiling to become a man, they wanted to gain something for nothing; and they wanted to do so by marrying the wealthy Penelope. They also mistreated the "beggar" and failed to pay him his due respect. And as the ending shows, one can never be to sure what the ramifications of our actions may be.
Penelope also exerts "crafty intelligence" through her weaving and unweaving of the burial shroud. For years she had lead the suitors to believe it was not yet time for her to choose a mate, and in the process, prolonging her faithfulness to Odysseus. Through this, she embodies the faithful and endearing wife; one who knows the meaning of commitment and the sanctity of marriage. However, unlike previous myths that place women as subservient to men, the Odyssey writes Penelope as the only person who could match wits with Odysseus; and in the process, making her his equal in every way. In the story when Penelope finally meets Odysseus (disguised as the beggar), Homer makes it unclear whether or not she actually recognizes him. One could say that she had known his presence all along and that merely was having her fun. Even after the "beggar" completes the test, which should have fully convinced her that this is really Odysseus, she once again uses her craftiness to trick him. She uses the secret of the bed to force Odysseus to reveal himself. This test was the clincher that revealed his identity, leaving Penelope in control.
In the end, this section of the Odyssey has taught us about the different roles people play in society and the value of commitment and hard work. Beggar, peasants, and other people of lower social standing should be treated with the same respect as everyone else. The golden rule applies, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." If the suitors had not treated the "beggar" so harshly, perhaps they would not have faced such a fierce wrath. The last key moral that homer tries to convey is that of the equality of men and women. While Odysseus shows his craftiness on more then one occasion, Penelope herself was able to match his wits. In addition to being the only person who could trick Odysseus, she managed to keep the suitor from marrying her. She is Odysseus' equal and they belong together.