Book Twenty One-The Test of the Bow

We were now ready to start the competition. Penelope retrieved my bow, which was given to me by Iphitos, from the storeroom after many years of not being used. She then announces that she will marry the suitor who can string it and then shoot an arrow through a line of twelve axes. Telemakhos then sets up the axes and then tries his own hand at the task, but fails as he attempts to string it. Then suitors warm and grease the bow to make it easier to manage, but one by one they all fail, even Antinoos. HA!, I knew nobody could string it! Meanwhile, I follow Eumaeus and Philoetius outside. I assure myself of their loyalty and reveal my identity to them by showing then the famous scar on my foot that I received many years ago. I promise to treat them as Telemakhos's brothers if they fight on my side against the suitors. They were overjoyed when they found out that I was Odysseus and they agreed with no doubt that they would keep my secret and help me fight the suitors. Then when we returned to the hall, that awful Eurymachus has the bow. He feels disgraced that he cannot string it, because he knows that this failure proves that he is inferior to me. I can't tell you how much I love this feeling! Then, Antinoos suggests that we hold off this competition until the next day, when they can sacrifice to Apollo, the archer god, before trying again. He thinks that this might help the suitors succeed. Still disguised as the beggar, I ask for the bow. Then all of the suitors start to complain, go figure, fearing that I will succeed. Then that awful Antinoos starts to ridicule me, saying that the wine has gone to my head and that I will bring disaster upon myself. How dare he say such crap! Then, Telemakhos takes control and orders Eumaeus to give me the bow. Needless to say, I easily string it and send the first arrow through all twelve axes. Take that Antinoos! This shows that in life, one must act calmly and not overreact when someone starts to pester you.