Odyssey+21

Summary:
In the beginning of the chapter, Athene convinces Penelope to confront the suitors and tell them what they have to do if they want to win her hand in marriage. She gets the sacred bow that was given to Odysseus by his friend Iphitus. Penelope says that whoever strings the bow most easily and shoots an arrow through all of the 12 axes, is the man she will go with. Telemachus tries to win the contest but he fails and on the fourth try, Odysseus signals him to give up. Then, Odysseus asks the swineherd and the cowherd if Odysseus randomly showed up, would they side with the suitors or with Odysseus. They say they would obviously fight with Odyssues and then they pray for him. Odysseus then tells them that it has been him all along and they have been loyal so in the future he will give them a wife, possessions, a new house closer to his, and he will look at them as Telemachus' friends and brothers. Odysseus said he will go in first and they will come in after. When the suitors refuse to give Odysseus the bow and arrows, Eumaeus will give Odysseus the bow. He told Eumaeus to make sure the women stay in their quarters and he tells Philoetius to bolt the courtyard gate. Then Eurymachus fails with the bow and gets upset because he said it will prove that he is a weakling compared to Odysseus and disgrace will stick to their names forever. Odysseus asks them to give him the bow so he can test his strength. Antinous compares his suggestion to Eurytion the famous Centaur. Penelope says she will give the beggar a fine new cloak and tunic, a sharp javelin, a two-edged sword, sandals, and she will take him anywhere he wants to go if he strings the bow. Then, Odysseus checked the bow and strung it easily without any effort. He tested the string and it sang as he plucked it, and the suitors were very embarrassed. Odysseus shot the arrow through all 12 axes. When he strung the bow, Zeus makes a thunderbolt.

Major Themes (and where they are): (Maribel)
Divine intervention (pg. 277)- Athene prompts Penelope to confront the Suitors.

Dis/Un/Non-Hospitality (pg. 277)- The story of how Heracles killed Iphitus. (Homeric simile also)

Justice (pg. 278)- Penelope confronts the Suitors about their appalling behavior.

Homeric Hero (pg. 279- 280)- Telemachus speaks (this practically insinutates before he even starts speaking that something heroic will be done...) and then proceeds to be a buff guy and 'neatly' sets up the targets with his amazingly massive muscles, and then fails to string the bow... but this is still homeric hero because Telemachus is still so 'young'.

Homeric Hero (pg. 282)- ...In which Odysseus reveals himself to the swineherd and the cowherd in a dramatic way and they burst into tears with a sunset behind them as they throw themselves into his majestic arms and welcome him home with warm words...

Justice (pg. 283)- THEY HAVE ALL FAILED! WHAT A SURPRISE! ...And then injustice as they refuse to accept this an decide to wait until the next day and make a sacrifice to Apollo (psh, like he'll help them.)

Role of an Awesome Woman (pg. 284)- Penelope steps in to defend the 'beggar'...

Homeric Hero (pg. 285 and 286)- Telemachus speaks again and it is as beautiful as ever....

Homeric hero (pg. 286 and 287)- Odysseus pwns them all and Telemachus joins his father with a spear... gosh, I wonder where this could be going!

Lameliness (throughout the entire chapter)- The Frat Boys (Suitors) really need to go find wives of their own, stop being pigs, and stop trying to be as amazing as the godlik Odysseus... oh well, they're all going to die anyways.

Locations Traveled (and mentioned):
Ithaca Odysseus' house Orticholus' house is messene peirithous palace

**Epithets**
Athene, godess of flashing eyes p. 277 Godlike Ipithus p.277 Godlike Odysseus p. 278 and p.283 swineherd Eumaeus p. 279 Great Teleachus p.280 Noble Odysseus p.281 and p. 287 Wise Odysseus p. 282 and p. 286 arrogant suitors p.282 fine suitors p.282 good philoetius p.282 goathere melanthius p.283 crafty Odysseus p.283 godlike antinous p.283 brave peirithous p.284 prudent penelope p.284 Wise penelope p.285 shrewd telemachus p.285 bright- eyed athene p.285 worthy swineherd p.285

Study Guide Questions:

 * What does Athene inspire Penelope to do at the beginning of the chapter?**

//She inspires Penelope to confront the suitor with the task of stringing the bow.//


 * Briefly describe the story behind Odysseus’ bow.**

//The bow was given to Odysseus by his friend Iphitus. He was killed shortly after their meeting by Hercules. Odysseus never took the bow to war with him, but instead kept it at home.//


 * Explain the challenge Penelope gives to the suitors.**

//She tells the suitors that the first person who strings the is the one who she will marry.//


 * What does Telemachus do for the contest?**

//He attempts to string the bow four times.//


 * Why is Telemachus frustrated?**

//On his last try, when he has almost strung the bow, Odysseus shakes his to warn Telemachus to stop.//

**What does Odysseus ask the cowman and the swineherd?**

//He asks them whose side would they be on if Odysseus were to magically reappear back in Ithaca.//

**How do they respond?**

//They immediately pray to Zeus and beg him to send Odysseus home.//

**What does Odysseus do in return?**

//He promises to find them each a wife and a new house that will be next to his, and to treat them as his own sons.//

**What does Odysseus instruct the men to do?**

//He tells them to fetch the bow for him when the suitors refuse to let him have it. He also asks that they lock the doors to the ladies rooms and block the courtyard entrance.//


 * What is Eurymachus so upset about?**

//He is upset that the bow proves that he and the other suitors are not as strong as Odysseus.//


 * What does Antinous compare Odysseus’ “drunken” suggestion to?**

He compares it to the time when Eurytion got drunk at the wedding of Peirithous and Hippodameia and tries to rape the bride.


 * What does Penelope say she will give the beggar if he strings the bow?**

//She says that she will give him a new cloak and tunic, a sharp javelin, a two-edged sword, a pair of sandals, and she will send him to wherever he wants to go.//


 * What happens at the moment Odysseus strings the bow?**

//There is a thunderclap from Zeus.//