Book 21 The Great Bow

• Who did Odysseus's bow originally belong to?

  Iphitus
• How does Antinous describe Odysseus's bow?

  "The bow that will seal our fate"
• How does Homer portray Telemachus as having similar strength to Odysseus?

  By stating that in his fourth attempt at stringing the bow, he might have succeeded if Odysseus hadn't stopped him
• Who was Leodes?


  He was one of the Suitors who disapproved of the outrageous conduct of the other Suitors. He made the first attempt to string Odysseus's bow but failed
• What does Odysseus reveal to Eumaeus and Philoetius in Book 21?


  That he is really Odysseus and not a beggar
• How does Odysseus prove his identity to Eumaeus and Philoetius?

  He shows them the scar on his leg
• What does Odysseus request from the Suitors?

  To be given the opportunity to try and string the bow himself
• What is significant about Homer comparing the sound of Odysseus stringing the bow to a swallow's note?

  Swallows represent homecoming so it represents Odysseus returning to Ithaca
• How does Homer demonstrate Odysseus's immense strength in Book 21?

  The fact that Odysseus manages to string the bow without any effort and shoots the bow through all 12 axes while sitting down