The Odyssey Book 21: Odysseus' Bow

Odysseus's Concerns

• Odysseus can't sleep because he is worried about how he, being one man, can slay all the suitors.
• Athena assures Odysseus that the gods are on his side and she will be with him to the end.
• Athena pours sleep on his eyes and leaves.

Odysseus and Zeus

• Odysseus asks Zeus to send a sign he is bringing him home.
• Zeus sends thunder from the sky, pleasing Odysseus.

Encounters

• Melanthius, the goatherd, arrives with goats for the feast and speaks roughly to Odysseus, questioning his begging.
• Eumaeus, the swineherd, arrives with three hogs for the feast, followed by Philoetius, the cowherd, with a calf.
• Philoetius expresses sorrow seeing Odysseus in rags, reminding him of his master, and is disturbed by the suitors consuming his master's wealth.

Odysseus Reveals Himself

• Odysseus tells Philoetius he will see Odysseus and the end of the suitors.
• Penelope retrieves Odysseus's bow from the treasure chamber, along with a quiver of bronze-weighted arrows.
• Penelope announces a contest: whoever can bend the bow and shoot an arrow through twelve axe heads will be her husband.

The Contest

• Telemachus sets up twelve axes in a line.
• The suitors try to bend the bow, but fail.
• Eumaeus and Philoetius leave the hall, and Odysseus follows.
• Odysseus reveals his identity to Eumaeus and Philoetius, showing them the scar from a wild boar.
• Odysseus instructs Eumaeus to bring him the bow after the suitors have tried and tells Eurycleia to keep the women in their quarters.
• Philoetius is told to lock and fasten the hall doors.

The Suitors Fail

• Eurymachus expresses grief at being weaker than Odysseus.
• Antinous suggests they postpone the attempt to the next day.
• Odysseus asks to try the bow, angering the suitors.
• Penelope defends Odysseus attempts, stating he should be allowed to try.
• Telemachus asserts his authority, sending Penelope away and gives the now to Eumaeus.

Odysseus Succeeds

• Despite the suitors protests, Eumaeus takes the bow to Odysseus.
• Eumaeus tells Eurycleia to keep the women in their rooms.
• Philoetius bars the courtyard gates.
• Odysseus easily bends the bow, making it sound like a swallow.
• Odysseus shoots an arrow through the axe heads.
• Odysseus tells Telemachus that his guest does not shame him.
• He nods to Telemachus, who readies his sword and spear as Zeus thunders overhead.

Odysseus's Revenge: The Battle Begins

• Odysseus declares another feast will be served to the suitors before the sun sets.
• Odysseus shoots Antinous, killing him.
• The suitors realize Odysseus has returned and seek weapons, but find they have been removed.
• Odysseus confronts the suitors for wasting his wealth, troubling his wife, and injuring his servants.

The Fight Continues

• Eurymachus tries to negotiate, offering repayment, but Odysseus refuses.
• Eurymachus rallies the suitors to fight, but Odysseus kills him with an arrow.
• Telemachus spears another suitor.
• Telemachus, Eumaeus, and Philoetius arm themselves.
• Melanthius retrieves weapons for the suitors but is caught and bound by Telemachus and Eumaeus.
• Athena deflects the suitors' spears.
• Odysseus, Telemachus, Eumaeus, and Philoetius kill several suitors with their spears.

Victory and Mercy

• Odysseus and his allies drive the remaining suitors to one end of the hall.
• Odysseus spares the minstrel at Telemachus's urging, recognizing he was forced to serve the suitors.
• Odysseus tells the minstrel to live and tell others how much better good deeds are than evil.
• Eurycleia appears and sees Odysseus among the slain suitors.
• Odysseus prevents her from crying out in triumph, stating it is unholy to celebrate over the dead.
• He instructs her to tell Penelope that her husband has returned.