Book XXI of twenty-four · The Bow and the Blood

The Bending of the Bow of Odysseus

Odysseus strings bow, wins contest

Penelope brings out Odysseus’ great bow and challenges the suitors to string it and shoot an arrow through twelve rings, promising to marry the winner. Telemachus nearly succeeds but yields it, and every suitor who tries fails, even after greasing the bow. Odysseus secretly reveals himself to the loyal herdsmen Eumaeus and Philoetius, then, defying the suitors’ mockery, asks for the bow himself, strings it effortlessly, and shoots an arrow clean through all twelve rings as Zeus thunders approval.

Argument, 1871 Proposal of Penelope to the suitors to contend for her hand with the bow and arrows of Odysseus —Their ineffectual attempts to bend the bow —Management of Odysseus to obtain the bow, which he bends with ease, and sends an arrow through the twelve rings set up in a row for the purpose.

Episodes of Book XXI

1. Penelope’s Contest — Contest set, Telemachus nearly wins
   • Penelope Fetches the Bow
   • The Contest Announced
   • Antinoüs Rebukes the Herdsmen
   • Telemachus’s Attempt
2. The Suitors Fail — Antinoüs orders trials, suitors fail
   • Order of the Contest
   • Leiodes Fails and Warns
   • Greasing the Bow
3. Odysseus Confides in the Herdsmen — Odysseus tests herdsmen, reveals scar
   • Odysseus Tests the Herdsmen
   • Odysseus Reveals Himself
4. Odysseus Requests the Bow — Eurymachus fails, Odysseus asks to try
   • Eurymachus Fails, Feast Deferred
   • Odysseus Asks to Try
   • Antinoüs Mocks the Beggar
   • Penelope Defends the Stranger
5. The Bow Reaches Odysseus — Penelope dismissed, bow reaches Odysseus
   • Telemachus Sends Her Away
   • The Bow Passed Amid Taunts
   • The Doors Are Secured
6. The Winning Shot — Odysseus shoots twelve rings clean
   • Suitors Mock the Beggar
   • Odysseus Strings and Shoots