Book 21: The Test of the Bow

Odysseus

There was some really weird stuff going on tonight. First, Penelope went down to get the bow and the axe heads to set up the contest for her hand. I was very surprised when Telemakhos wanted to be the first one to try. He made up some unbelievable excuse that made me question his real motives. Okay, that might be a little bit unfair of me, I guess. I suppose it is sort of believable that he wanted to string the bow in order to see if he was worthy to carry on in my place but he knows I’m already here. Has my son grown up to be so insecure of himself that he needs a solid test to prove himself? Perhaps, but nevertheless, this was not the time for that test to take place. The fact that he wanted to do this during a contest for his mother’s hand worries me a bit. However, I stopped him after his third attempt to string the bow. Telemakhos was very disheartened by this failure; it kind of sent him over the edge. Most of the suitors then took their turns and none of them had more luck than my son. Some thought it impossible to string or shoot the bow. They even heated and greased the bow, hoping that it might somehow string more easily. Meanwhile, I gathered myself allies. I told the swineherds my secret and they swore to help me fight off the suitors. Antinoos, being the coward he is, said that they should postpone the contest for a feast. I know he was just afraid he wouldn’t be able to string the bow. This was when I stepped in and asked for a try. The suitors were completely outraged at the thought that a ragged beggar might string the bow they could not. They tried to stop me, but Penelope and Telemakhos wanted to allow me a try. The suitors found Telemakhos trying to exercise his authority rather funny and somehow in that fit of laughter, I got the bow. After inspecting it (under the mockery of the suitors,) I strung it easily and the arrow flew through all twelve axe heads. The time had come to bring doom upon the suitors.