Table of Contents
- 1 How did the suitors react when the disguised Odysseus took the bow?
- 2 What is the reaction as Odysseus strings the bow and shoots the arrow?
- 3 Which guest can hit all 12 axes?
- 4 Who did Odysseus reveal himself to in 21?
- 5 Why does Penelope devise the contest with the bow?
- 6 Why did Penelope do the test of the bow?
- 7 Where does Odysseus get his great backsprung bow?
- 8 How does Penelope respond to Odysseus at the bow?
How did the suitors react when the disguised Odysseus took the bow?
What is the suitors’ reaction when Odysseus, still in disguise, takes up the bow? They react with anger and threats, thinking it was an unjustifiable murder. He fights and kills all the suitors.
What happens when Odysseus tries to string the bow?
Odysseus easily strings the weapon and fires an arrow straight through the axes; then he and Telemachus stand together to face the suitors. 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.
What is the reaction as Odysseus strings the bow and shoots the arrow?
When Odysseus takes up the bow and effortlessly strings it, the suitors’ attitude changes to one of shock. They are stunned into silence that they were bested by a mere beggar. At that moment, Zeus sends a thunderclap to break the silence.
How do the suitors react when the beggar says he wants to have a try at the contest?
How do the suitors react to Odysseus request to try the contest? Who defends him? The suitors, mostly Antinous, protest. Penelope scolds them for being so rude and encourages the beggar to give it a shot.
Which guest can hit all 12 axes?
Odysseus
In Book 21 of The Odyssey, Penelope holds a contest. She brings out Odysseus’ bow and tells the suitors she will marry the first one who can string it and shoot an arrow through 12 axes. Telemachus and the suitors try and fail to even string the bow.
Why can’t the suitors string the bow?
None of the suitors can even string the bow so none of them even gets a shot at the axe handles. The reason that this is so hard is that the bow is very stiff. A stiffer bow is more powerful, but it is much harder to use — you have to be way stronger.
Who did Odysseus reveal himself to in 21?
Eumaeus
Odysseus then goes outside and reveals his identity to Eumaeus and Philoetius, who promise him their loyalty. Odysseus tells them their part in his plan to slaughter the suitors and goes back to the contest. He strings the bow and shoots his first arrow through the 12 axes and signals Telemachus to begin the slaughter.
Why does Penelope cry when she retrieves Odysseus bow?
Odysseus’s two suitors. Why is Penelope crying in lines 1-4? Because she is sad that he isn’t home yet. She proposed that whoever can string Odysseus’s rigid bow and shoot an arrow through a dozen axes.
Why does Penelope devise the contest with the bow?
why do you think Penelope devises the contest with the bow? Penelope knows that Odysseus is the only one who can shoot the arrow through the 12 arrowheads. she makes it so that she won’t have to marry someone else. this reveals that she is clever.
Why does Penelope cry over Odysseus bow?
Why did Penelope do the test of the bow?
The test of the bow is Penelope’s test for the suitors. She claims that she will marry the man who can complete this test because he will be much like Odysseus. The man who completes this will be able to string Odysseus’ bow. Then, he will shoot an arrow through twelve ax head handles.
Why did Odysseus ask Antinous for the bow?
Odysseus, still disguised, then asks for the bow. All of the suitors complain, fearing that he will succeed. Antinous ridicules Odysseus, saying that the wine has gone to his head and that he will bring disaster upon himself, just like the legendary drunken centaur Eurytion.
Where does Odysseus get his great backsprung bow?
Summary and Analysis Book 21 – Odysseus Strings His Bow. Penelope announces the contest and retrieves Odysseus’ great backsprung bow from a secret storeroom deep in the palace. For sport, Telemachus attempts to string the bow and fails three times.
What did Telemachus do in Odysseus and the bow?
Telemachus sets up the axes and then tries his own hand at the bow, but fails in his attempt to string it. The suitors warm and grease the bow to make it supple, but one by one they all try and fail.Meanwhile, Odysseus follows Eumaeus and Philoetius outside.
How does Penelope respond to Odysseus at the bow?
When the beggar/Odysseus asks for an unofficial chance at the bow, Penelope immediately counters Antinous’ objection. Dismissing the idea that the guest would claim her as his bride, she responds that by giving the wandering stranger a shot she is simply being hospitable.