The Odessey Book 21

Question 1

‘fatal arrows’ & ‘ a means to their destruction’ [3]:

Answer 1

• These phrases are repeated quite a bit throughout the first few pages of book 21
• They remind the reader of the inevitable and grim fate the suitors are about to face
• This builds tension and acts as an epithet for the arrows, further emphasising how deadly they are. This may be to help reach the climax of tension in the story

Question 2

Why does it take so long for Penelope to retrieve the bow? [3]:

Answer 2

• To build tension as we are reaching the climax of tension in this tale
• It puts more emphasis on the competition as Penelope is being extremely cautious, which displays the significance of this competition and the events that are about to happen
• Also, it may symbolise how long it actually took Odysseus to return home and how close he is to achieving his nostos

Question 3

What happens when Eumaeus sets up the bow and axes? [3]:

Answer 3

• The loyal Eumaeus and Philoetius begin to weep at the sight of their master’s bow
• Antinous, angered by their actions begins to yell at them
• Telemachus intervenes and begins by starting the contest and suggests that he may even attempt to string the bow himself

Question 4

Telemachus stringing the bow- “he might have strung it at the fourth attempt had Odysseus not shaken his head, and checked his eagerness” [4]:

Answer 4

• This suggests that Telemachus is strong like his father as he may have actually completed the task
• This creates a similarity between the father and son of this story, showing how strong Odysseus’ bloodline is
• However, him not stringing the bow may suggest he is not yet at the level of ‘godlike Odysseus’ in terms of fighting prowess
• The fact that Telemachus choose to listen to his father shows how he values Odysseus’ plans and schemes

Question 5

Who gave Odysseus the bow used in book 21? [3]:

Answer 5

• Iphitus had given the bow to Odysseus as a symbol of their undying friendship
• In return, Odysseus gave Iphitus a sharp sword
• By highlighting the importance of the bow itself, it gives Odysseus a heroic image as he is about to slay the scoundrels who wronged him

Question 6

What happens after Telemachus places the bow on the ground, after attempting to string it? [4]:

Answer 6

• Leodes, the first suitor to attempt the challenge, failed to string the bow
• Antinous criticised Leodes for suggesting that many of the suitors would be incapable of even stringing the bow
• Then the goatherd, Melanthius was told to grease the bow so that the wood may be softened.
• This displays how inferior the suitors are in comparison with Odysseus as they cannot even string his bow

Question 7

While Antinous and Eurymachus continued the contest…[5]:

Answer 7

• Odysseus, Philoetius and Eumaeus slipped out of the grand hall
• Odysseus tested the cow and swineherds to see where their loyalties are
• Once they had answered correctly, Odysseus revealed his identity to his loyal servants and they embraced him lovingly; weeping and kissing his head and shoulders, happy that their master had returned
• Then Odysseus Eumaeus to give the bow to Odysseus and on this signal Philoetius was to lock the doors of the grand hall and hide the women
• They then returned inside the palace

Question 8

When Odysseus had returned inside the palace…[4]:

Answer 8

• The bow had reached Eurymachus who was softening the bow over a fire
• Still, Eurymachus failed to string the bow, demonstrating how pathetic the suitors truly were as he was one of their leaders
• After this failed attempt Antinous had suggested they postpone the challenge for tomorrow as today was the feast day of Apollo the archer god(they should spend their time praying to him to maybe have some luck for when the trials resume)
• The suitors then poured libations for Apollo

Question 9

‘godlike Odysseus’ [2]:

Answer 9

• This epithet is often repeated through book 21, highlighting the protagonist’s superiority over the suitors
• The fact that the suitors are unable to even string the bow of Odysseus, even when the wood had been softened, emphasises their lack of skill and how pathetic they were as men by Mycenaean standards

Question 10

How did Odysseus prove his identity to Eumaeus and Philoetius?

Answer 10

He showed the scar on his leg which he received when he was younger

Question 11

What happened after the suitors poured their libations? [4]:

Answer 11

• Odysseus suggested that he had a try stringing the bow
• The suitors were enraged by this as they were concerned that a mere beggar would be able to accomplish what they could not
• Instead, they demean the beggar(Odysseus) by suggesting he is drunk to be making such preposterous requests
• Penelope intervened, defending the beggar and allowing him to participate

Question 12

Penelope defends the beggar allowing him to string the bow…[4]:

Answer 12

• Telemachus orders his mother to retreat to her room and she proudly obliges
• Then Eumaeus carried the bow around the hall towards Odysseus; terrified by the suitors’ aggressive protests he drops the bow
• Telemachus shouted harshly at him which caused the suitors to laugh in amusement
• Eumaeus used this opportunity to tell Euricleia to lock all the women in their rooms and the doors of the grand hall

Question 13

What happened after Eurycleia locked the doors of the grand hall? [4]:

Answer 13

• Philoetius slipped out of the room quickly to lock the gates of the courtyard and came back inside
• The bow had finally reached Odysseus who was studying it precisely, weary that the bow may have been eaten by worms on the inside
• The suitors realised that the beggar was an expert and became mortified at the possibility that he may string the bow
• Odysseus easily strung his bow, terrifying the suitors

Question 14

What happened when Odysseus finally strung the bow? [3]:

Answer 14

• Thunder. Odysseus took this as a sign from the gods that he would succeed
• He then gave Telemachus a signal to get ready for battle
• He stood beside his father sword in hand

Question 15

Evidence that Penelope knew the beggar was Odysseus [2]:

Answer 15

• Penelope’s choice of contest, one that only Odysseus could win, supports the suspicion that she is aware of the beggar/Odysseus’s real identity
• When the beggar/Odysseus asks for an unofficial chance at the bow, Penelope immediately counters Antinous’ objection