Book 21 Flashcards
What happens at the start of this book?
Penelope sets out Odysseus’ bow and axes, and announces to the suitors that the archer than can shoot an arrow cleanly through the axes will marry her.
Who tries to shoot the bow first?
Telemachus
- He can’t even string the bow
Who tries the bow second?
Leodes
- It is too stiff to bend for him
What is Odysseus doing whilst the suitors fail to shoot the bow?
- He speaks to Emaeus and Philoetius outside
- He tells them his real identity, shows them his scar as proof, and enlists them in the coming battle
What does Odysseus ask Eumaeus and Philoetius to do?
- Eumaeus has to carry him the bow after the suitors have tried it, and he has to tell the maids to lock their doors
- Philoetius he asks to lock the courtyard so that no men can escape
What is going on when Odysseus reenters the palace?
- Eurymachus has just failed to string the bow
- Odysseus advises the suitors to rest and pray to the archer god whilst he tries the bow, just to amuse them
Who responds to Odysseus’ offer to try the bow?
Antinous
- He angrily warns him that he might end up like the drunken Centaur Eurythion, who was mauled by his hosts the Lapiths
How does Penelope respond to Odysseus asking to try the bow?
She urges the suitors to let the stranger try his luck
She says there is no shame in such a thing, compared to the shame the suitors have brought on the household
What happens when Odysseus gets the bow?
Telemachus gets it and sends Penelope to her quarters
Eumaeus carries it to Odysseus amidst the suitors mocking
Odysseus strings the bow as gracefully as a bard tunes his lyre, and Zeus sends down a bolt of lightning
What happens when Odysseus shoots the bow?
He shoots an arrow cleanly through the row of axes
How does this book end?
Odysseus says to Telemachus that its time for the song and dance that follows a feast
