Odyssey Study Guide Contents

Book XXI is the book of the bow. It begins with Penelope setting out the axes and bow of Odysseus to test the skill of the suitors. Penelope tells the suitors she will be the bride of the man who can string the bow with the greatest ease and shoot an arrow all the way through the 12 axes in a row.
Eumaeus and the cowherd cry, which leads the suitor Antinous to make fun of them.

He says the task will not be easy.

Telemachus enters and says the games should begin. He sets up the axes and then tries to string the bow three times before Odysseus signals him to stop.

The first suitor to try is Leodes, a seer. After he fails, he returns to his seat and says the bow will rob even the best of them of their life and breath. These words make Antinous unhappy. He orders Melanthius to bring is grease to rub on the bow. Eumaeus and the cowherd go outside to meet with the Odysseus-beggar. He asks them how far they would go to help Odysseus. When they proclaim their devotion to the death, he reveals his true identity. He promises them much if they succeed in destroying the suitors. They all embrace. Odysseus then gives them instructions which include bringing him the weapon even though the suitors forbid it. They are to instruct the serving women to stay inside despite the sounds they hear and the gate of the courtyard is to be locked.

The suitor Eurymachus tries heating the bow, but still can't flex it.

Antinous says it's a feast day for the archer god Apollo so they shouldn't be flexing the bow today. They should wait until morning.

Odysseus says since they aren't going to shoot, he would like to try the bow today. Antinous warns him against taking on younger men. Penelope says the stranger is the guest of Telemachus and would never consider taking her away as his bride. Eurymachus says it would be disgraceful for it to appear as though a king's wife is being courted by riffraff.

Telemachus sends his mother back to her weaving. She is astonished, but leaves.

Eumaeus takes the bow to Odysseus while the suitors try to stop him verbally. When Eumaeus halts, Telemachus says Eumaeus is serving too many masters, which amuses the suitors. Eumaeus then delivers the bow to Odysseys. He takes care of the earlier instruction about the serving women while the cowherd locks the courtyard gate. They return to the hall.

Odysseus examines the bow, looking for signs of deterioration, which leads to ridicule from the suitors. Odysseus strings the bow with ease and tests the pitch of the string. After a thunder clap (sign from Zeus), Odysseus draws an arrow and shoots. It flies through all 12 axes. Odysseus then tells Telemachus it is time for a feast.

Quiz on Odyssey Book XXI

Book XX Summary

Read a Public Domain translation of Odyssey Book XXI.
Next: Major Characters in Book XXI, Notes on Odyssey Book XXI