In book 1, Athena comes down in the form of a mentor to tell Telemachus that his father is still alive.
The Prophecy
You will be the only man to return home
In book 4, Telemachus and his men are greeted by the King of Sparta and are treated with a feast.
Odysseus; The Begger
In book 8, Odysseus asks Demodocus (aka Apollo) to sing the song of Troy and starts crying because it reminds him about the hardships he went through. Alcinous realizes this and asks for Odysseus to reveal himself.
Odysseus vs. The Suitors
Die you filthy suitors!
WHAT ABOUT MY MEN?
In book 11, Odysseus ventures into the Land of the Dead to find the blind prophet, Teiresias, and make an offering like Circe had instructed him to do. The blind prophet then tells him that he will be the only one to return home and see his kingdom, and that he would have to fight off the suitors.
In book 17, Athena disguises Odysseus as an old beggar so he is able to get into his palace without being recognized and to be able to determine who is and who is not loyal to him.
May I find refuge inside of your palace? I am an old beggar with no where to go!
Why of course! We will treat you to a feast.
In book 17, Odysseus finally reveals himself and starts to attack the suitors that can not escape because the doors are locked. He manages to kill every one of them showing no mercy to any.