Penelope brings out Odysseus’ old bow and says that the suitor who can string the bow and shoot it threw axes will marry her. All of the suitors fail. Meanwhile, Odysseus reveals himself to his faithful servants, Eumaeus and Philoetius, who are overjoyed at his return. Odysseus tells them that if they help him get rid of the suitors, they will treated like Telemachus’ brothers. Later, Odysseus goes and asks for the bow after the last of the suitors has failed to string it. He easily sends the arrow through the axes.
I am very worried that the suitors may actually be as strong as my great Odysseus, but I know that that fear has no possible way of coming true. None but the mighty Odysseus can string the bow. I have nothing to fear from these suitors. However, I was a bit shocked by the attitude that my son gave me. He seemed to think that he put me in my place when he told me “This bow is men’s business, and business/especially, since I am the master of this house”(Book 21 line 376-377). Telemachus seems to know what he is doing, so I will have to trust his judgement.
