HOMER: "ODYSSEY": BOOK XXI: THE GREAT BOW.

HOMER: "ODYSSEY": BOOK XXI: THE GREAT BOW. 

Introduction:

Book XXI sees the continuance of the Odyssey's 39th day of action. After Penelope has fetched the bow and the iron axes, Telemachus sets up the arrangements for the trial. He nearly strings the bow himself, but is then warned off by his father. Some of the suitors try to string it too, but they fail. Odysseus then reveals himself to Eumaeus and Philoetius, and Eurycleia is told to bar the doors of the hall. Telemachus asserts himself and, at his behest, his mother retires to her bedchamber to sleep. When Odysseus asks to be allowed to try to string the bow, the suitors abuse him, but he eventually persuades the suitors to let him do so. Then he strings the bow with ease and shoots an arrow through the handle-holes of the axes. 

Ll. 1-41. Odysseus acquires the bow as a gift from his friend Iphitus. 

The goddess, bright-eyed Athene, put it into the mind of Icarius' daughter, wise Penelope, to confront the  suitors in the palace of Odysseus with his bow and grey iron (i.e. the twelve axes) as the (materials for) a contest and the source of their destruction. Then, she climbed the lofty staircase to her chamber, and she took her well-curved key in her sturdy hand, (made of) beautiful bronze (it was); and its handle was (made) of ivory. And she made her way with her attendant women to a remote storeroom; and there lay the treasures of her lord, bronze, and gold and iron wrought with much toil. And there lay the bent-back bow and his arrow-holding quiver, and many grief-laden arrows were in (it), gifts which his friend Iphitus, son of Eurytus, (a man) like the immortals, had given him when they met in Lacedaemon. 

Now, the two of them had met one another in Messene, in the house of wise Ortilochus. In truth, Odysseus had come after a debt, which the whole people owed him; for men from Messene had carried off from Ithaca in their many-benched ships three hundred sheep and their shepherds (with them). Odysseus came a long way on an embassy in quest of these (things), when he was (but) a youth; for his father and the other elders had sent (him) forth. Iphitus, for his part, was searching for a dozen mares, which he had lost, with sturdy mules at the teat; but to him thereafter did they bring death and doom, when he came back to the stout-hearted son of Zeus, the man Heracles, privy to mighty deeds, who ruthlessly slew him in his house, though he was his guest, and he had regard neither for the wrath of the gods, nor for the table which he had set before him; but after that he slew him, and he himself kept the strong-hooved mares in his halls. While searching for these, he (i.e. Iphitus) met Odysseus and gave him the bow, which mighty Eurytus had once borne, and at his death in his lofty house he bequeathed (it) to his son. And to him Odysseus gave a sharp sword and a mighty spear as the origin of a warm friendship; yet, they never knew one another at the table; for before that (could happen) the son of Zeus had killed Iphitus, son of Eurytus, that man who resembled the immortals, who had given him the bow. Godlike Odysseus would never take it (with him) on the black ships when going forth to war, but it lay in his palace in memory of his dear friend, and he carried it in his own land.  

Ll. 42-79. Penelope outlines the contest.

Now when the most divine of women (i.e. Penelope) had come to the storeroom, and had set foot on the oaken threshold, which a carpenter had once skilfully carved, and made it straight to the line - and he had fitted doorposts on (them) and had placed shining doors on (them) - straightway she quickly loosed the thong from the handle, and thrust in the key, and pushed back the bolts of the doors with a straight aim; and just as a bull foams away when grazing in a meadow, so did the fair doors rattle when smitten by the key, and they quickly flew open before her.  Then, she stepped on the high floor-boards; and here stood the chests, in which lay fragrant clothing. Then, she stretched out (her hands) and took the bow from its peg, together with its bow-case, which brightly surrounded it. And there she sat down, and placed (them) on her knees, and she wept very loudly, while she was taking the bow of her lord (i.e. Odysseus) out from (its case) . And, when she had thus had her fill of tearful wailing, she made her way to the hall to meet with the noble wooers, bearing in her hands the bent-back bow and its arrow-holding quiver; and there were within (it) many groan-causing arrows. And together with her (came) her serving women bearing a metal box, wherein lay an abundance of iron and bronze, the prizes won by her lord. Now, when she reached the wooers, the most divine of women stood by the pillar of the well-built chamber, holding a shining veil before her cheeks. And a trusty handmaid stood on either side of her. And straightway she spoke among the wooers and said these words: "Hear me, (you) proud wooers, who have got what you need to eat and drink in this house ever without end, (as) its master has been absent for a long time; nor could you offer any other pretext for your conduct, save your desire to wed me and take (me) to wife. But come (now, you) suitors, since this prize stands clearly (before you). For I will place (before you) the great bow of divine Odysseus; and (he) who shall string the bow in his hands, and shall shoot an arrow through all twelve axes, with him shall I go, forsaking this house, (to which I came as) a bride, (a house) most fine and full of livelihood, which I think I shall ever remember, even in my dreams."   

Ll. 80-117. Both Antinous and Telemachus indicate their desire to string the bow.

So she spoke, and she bid Eumaeus, the goodly swineherd, to hand over the bow and the grey iron (axes) to the suitors. Then, Eumaeus burst into tears, as he took (them) and laid (them) down; and elsewhere the herdsman (i.e. Philoetius) began to cry, when he saw his master's bow. Then, Antinous rebuked (them) and spoke these words when he addressed them: "(You) stupid yokels, who have no though for the morrow, what a miserable pair (you are), why now do you shed tears and trouble the soul in the lady's breast? Otherwise her heart lies in pain, since she has lost her dear husband. But do you sit and feast in silence, or go forth and weep, and leave the bow behind (here) as a decisive contest for the suitors; for I do not think this polished bow is easily to be strung. For there is no such man among all these (here) as Odysseus was; and I myself saw him, for I do remember (him), though I was still a young child." 

So he (i.e. Antinous) spoke, but the heart in his breast had hoped that he would string the bow and shoot an arrow through the iron (axes). In fact, he was destined (to be) the first to sample an arrow from the hands of peerless Odysseus, whom he was then dishonouring as he sat in the hall and urged on all his comrades. 

Then, the sacred force of Telemachus spoke among them: "O, how extraordinary, for in truth Zeus, the son of Cronos, has made me witless; my dear mother, wise though she is, says that she will go with another, forsaking this house; yet I laugh and am glad in my crazy heart. But come (now, you) wooers, since this is shown (to be) your prize, a lady whose like is not now in the land of the Achaeans, neither in sacred Pylos, nor in Argos, nor in Mycenae; nor yet in Ithaca itself, nor on the dark mainland; but you know this yourselves; why do I need to speak in praise of my mother? Come now, do not draw (the matter) aside with excuses, and do not any more turn away too long from the drawing of the bow, so we may see (the result). Yes, and I myself would make a trial of the bow; if I should string (it) and shoot an arrow through the iron (axes), it would not vex me that my queenly mother should leave this house and go with another, when I have been left behind, able now to take up the prizes won by my father."

Ll. 118-162. Telemachus and the suitor Leodes try to string the bow, but without success.

As he spoke, he flung the purple cloak from off his back, and sprang straight up, and he removed the sharp sword from his shoulders. Then, firstly, he set up the axes and dug one long trench for everyone, and made (it) straight to the line, and he stamped on the earth around (them); and amazement seized all those who saw (him), that he arranged (them) so well; for until then he had never seen them before, Then, he went and stood upon the threshold, and began to make trial of the bow. And three times he made (it) quiver in his eagerness to draw (it), and three times he relaxed his efforts, though in his heart he hoped to string the bow and shoot an arrow through the iron (axes). And now in his might he would have strung the bow, as for the fourth time he sought to draw it, but Odysseus shook his head and checked him, eager though (he was). Then, the sacred force of Telemachus spoke among them once more: "Alas, perhaps I shall then turn out to be a coward and a weakling, or I am too young, and it may be that I cannot trust my hands to ward off a man, when he has previously grown angry (with me). But come (now, you) who are mightier in strength than I (am), make trial of the bow, and let us bring this contest to an end."

So saying, he put the bow away from him on the ground, leaning it against the closely-joined planks of the well-polished (door), and he rested his swift arrow against the fair door-handle, and then he sat down again on the seat from which he had risen. 

Then, Antinous, the son of Eupeithes, spoke among them: " Rise up, one by one from left to right, all my companions, beginning from the place from where (the cup-bearer) pours the wine."

So spoke Antinous, and his words were pleasing to them. Then, Leodes, son of Oenops, rose up first, (he) who was their chief sacrificer, and who always sat by the fair mixing-bowl in the farthest corner (of the hall); acts of folly were hateful to him alone, and he resented (the conduct) of all of the suitors; then he (was) the first (to) take hold of the bow and the swift arrow. And he went and stood upon the threshold and began to make trial of the bow, but he could not string it; for long before he could string (it) his unworn delicate hands grew weary; and he spoke among the wooers (as follows): "I shall not string it, but let another (man) take over. For this bow will break the heart and spirit of many of the best (men here), since it is far better to die than to live on after failure in that for which we always assemble here in expectation every day. Now, many a man of you is hoping in his heart, and longing, to marry Odysseus' wife, Penelope. But, when he has made trial of the bow and seen (the outcome), then, mindful of his wedding gifts, shall he woo another one of the fair-robed Achaean (women); then shall she marry (the one) who offers her most and (who) comes as her destined lord."  

Ll. 163-204. The younger suitors fail to string the bow.

So he (i.e. Leodes) spoke, and he placed the bow away from him, leaning (it) against the closely-joined planks of the well-polished (door), and he rested his swift arrow against the fair door-handle, and then he sat down again on the seat from which he had risen. 

But Antinous rebuked (him) and addressed these words (to him) in a loud voice: "Leodes, what words have come out of your mouth (lit. escaped from the barrier of your teeth), dread (words) and grievous (ones they are), - and I am angered to hear (them) - if, indeed, this bow is to rob the best men of life and spirit, since you cannot string (it). For your queenly mother did not bring you forth (into this world) for such a purpose as to string a bow and shoot arrows; but other noble suitors shall quickly string (it)." 

So he (i.e. Antinous) spoke, and gave an order to the goatherd Melanthius: "Come now, and light a fire in the hall, Melanthius, and set beside (it) a large stool with a fleece upon it, and bring forth a great cake of tallow that is within (the stores), so that (we) youngsters may warm (the bow) and anoint (it) with fat, and give a trial to the bow, and bring the contest to an end."  

So he spoke, and Melanthius at once rekindled the still glowing fire,  and set a large stool beside (it) and put a fleece upon it, and brought forth a great cake of tallow that was within (the stores); so the young (men) warmed (the bow) and put (it) to the test; but they could not string (it), for they were greatly lacking in strength.  

Now, Antinous was still holding back, as was the godlike Eurymachus, the leaders of the suitors; and they were by far the best in valour. But those (other) two had gone forth from the house both together at the same moment, the herdsman (i.e. Philoetius) and the swineherd (i.e. Eumaeus) of godlike Odysseus; but, when they were now outside the gates and the courtyard too, he spoke and addressed them with gentle words: "(You) herdsman, and (you) too, swineherd, shall I say something, or myself keep (it) hidden? But my spirit bids me tell (it). What sort of man would you be to defend Odysseus, if he were to come from somewhere so very suddenly, and some god were to bring him? Would you fight for the wooers or for Odysseus? Speak out as your heart and spirit bid you."

Then, the herdsman of the cattle answered him: "Father Zeus, if only you would fulfil this wish, that that man would come back and that some god would guide him; then would you know what kind of might (is) mine, and that my hands would follow."

And so, in like manner, did Eumaeus pray to all of the gods that wise Odysseus would return to his home. 

Ll. 205-255. Odysseus reveals himself to Eumaeus and Philoetius, while Eurymachus also fails to string the bow.

But now, when he knew their mind with certainty, he spoke these words to them once more, and said: "Now I myself (am) here in this house after suffering many tribulations, and in the twentieth year I have come back to my native-land. And I know that by you two alone of my servants is my return longed for; but I have not heard a single one of the others praying that I should return and come back to my home. But to you two I will tell the truth, even as it shall be. If a god shall subject the lordly wooers unto me, I shall bring a wife to each of you, and I shall give you possessions, and I shall build (you) a house near to my own; and you shall then be companions and brothers of Telemachus. But come on now, and I shall show (you) some other clearly visible sign that you may know me well and shall be persuaded in your heart, (that is) the scar (of the wound) which a boar once inflicted on me with his white tusk, when I went to (Mount) Parnassus with the sons of Autolycus (i.e. Odysseus' maternal uncles and the brothers of his mother Anticleia, the daughter of Autolycus)." 

As he spoke, he drew aside the rags from the great scar. And, when the two of them had seen (it) and had marked everything well, they wept, and then they flung their arms around wise Odysseus, and kept kissing his head and shoulders with great affection, just as Odysseus kissed their heads and hands in a similar fashion. And now the light of the sun would have gone down on them as they wept, if Odysseus himself had not restrained (them) and said: "Cease this weeping and wailing, lest someone should come from the hall and see (us), and tell those inside (about it) as well. But let us go inside one after another, and not all together, with myself first and you afterwards, and let this sign be our signal; for now all the others, such as the lordly wooers, will not allow the bow and quiver to be given to me; but do you, goodly Eumaeus, as you are bearing the bow through the hall, place (it) in my hands, and tell the women to shut the close-fitting doors of the hall, but, if anyone of them should hear the sound of groaning or the noise of the men within our walls, let her not go outside at all, but remain at her work in silence. But, divine Philoetius, I enjoin (you) to fasten the gates of the courtyard with a bar, and swiftly to cast a cord upon (them)."  

Thus having spoken, he entered the stately palace, and then went and sat down on the seat from which he had just risen; and then the two servants of divine Odysseus went in as well.  

Now by this time Eurymachus was managing the bow with his hands, warming (it) on this side and that by the light of the fire; but even so he could not string it, and he groaned loudly in his noble heart; then, in a frenzy of anger, he spoke out in a loud voice: "For shame, this pain of mine is for myself and for all of us; it is not at all about the marriage that I mourn so greatly, grieved though (I am); for there are many other Achaean (women), some in sea-girt Ithaca itself, and some in other cities; but to think that we are so much inferior to godlike Odysseus in strength, seeing that we cannot string his bow: (that is) a disgrace that even future generations will learn about."

Ll. 256-310. Odysseus seeks to try the bow.

But, then, Antinous, the son of Eupeithes, answered him: "It will not be like that, Eurymachus; and you yourself also know (it). For today (there is) a public holiday to that sacred god. And (on it) who would bend their bow? But let him put (it) down and be at rest; then, (as to) the axes, what if we should let them all stand? For I do not think that anyone is going to come to the house of Laertes' son, Odysseus, to carry (them) off. But come, let the wine-steward pour a drop into each cup, so that we can offer our libations and lay down our curved bows; and, in the morning, tell the goat-herd Melanthius to bring in the goats which are the very best in all of his herds to Apollo, the famous archer, and (then) try out the bow and end the contest." 

Thus spoke Antinous; and his words were pleasing to them. Then, squires poured water on their hands, and pages filled the mixing-bowl with wine, and they served everyone, beginning afresh with the cups. So, when they had poured a libation, and drunk as much as their hearts desired, the wily Odysseus addressed them in a crafty manner: "Listen to me, (you) suitors of our famous queen, so that I can tell (you) the (things which) the heart in my breast bids me; and I especially entreat Eurymachus and godlike Antinous, since their words have been rightly spoken, to set aside the bow now, and entrust (the matter) to the gods; and tomorrow the god will give strength to the one whom he favours. But come, give me the well-polished bow, so that with you I can try out the strength of my hands, (to see) whether in my case there is still any power in those limbs, which were once so supple, or whether my ceaseless wanderings and want of care have by now robbed me (of it)."  

So he (i.e. Odysseus) spoke; and they were all excessively angry, fearing that he might string the well-polished bow. And Antinous turned on (him) and spoke these words in a loud voice: "Ah, (you) wretched stranger, there is not the slightest sense in you; are you not content to dine in peace with your betters, and not to be deprived at all of your share of the feast, while you can hear our words and speech? And no other stranger or beggar can hear our words. The mellow wine is damaging you, and it harms all those who take it down in gulps and who do not drink (it) in a moderate manner. It was wine that befuddled even the famous Centaur Eurytion in the palace of great-hearted Peirithous (i.e. King of the Lapithae in Thessaly, whose wife, Hippodameia, Eurytion had attempted to rape at her wedding feast), when he was visiting the Lapithae; and, since he had stupefied his mind with wine, he did those evil (things) in the home of Peirithous while (he was) madly drunk; distress took hold of the demigods, and they arose and dragged him outside through the porch, and they sliced off his ears and his nose with piteous bronze; and he staggered off stupefied in his mind, bearing (the burden of) his folly in his infatuated heart. Through him the feud between Centaurs and men began, and he himself was the first to devise evil through drunkenness, so in your case I declare great suffering if you should string this bow; for you will not receive any kind treatment in our (part of the) country, and we shall send you off forthwith in a black ship to King Echetus (i.e. a king of North-Western Greece noted for his cruelty), the destroyer of all mortals; but keep on drinking in peace and do not seek to compete with younger men." 

Ll. 311-353. Telemachus asserts his authority. 

However, wise Penelope then addressed him: "Antinous, (it is) neither fair nor just to maltreat any of the guests of Telemachus, who may come to this house. Do you believe that, if this stranger should string the great bow of Odysseus with his hands and prevail by his strength, he should lead me to his home and make (me) his wife? Nor has he himself any such hope anywhere in his breast; do not anyone of you have dinner grieving in his heart for that (reason), since that is certainly not fitting."

Then, Eurymachus, son of Polybus, said to her in reply: "Daughter of Icarius, wise Penelope, we do not  imagine that this (man) is at all likely to win your (hand); but I do feel shame at the talk among men and women, lest any other of the low-born Achaeans should ever say: ' How much worse (can they be), these men (who) wish to court the wife of that excellent man, nor can they string that well-polished bow in any way; but some other poor man came begging, he strings the bow with ease, and shoots an arrow through the iron (axes).' So they will say; and such disgrace shall come upon us." 

Then, wise Penelope addressed him once more: "There is not going to be any public respect (for those men) who dishonour and devour the household of a nobleman; so why would that remark bring disgrace on you? Now this guest of ours (is) a very big and well-built (man), and in his birth he claims to be the son of a noble father. But come, give him the well-polished bow, so we can see (what happens). For so I proclaim, and this will be brought to pass: if he shall string it and Apollo answers his prayer, I shall dress him in a cloak and tunic, fine garments (both), and I shall give him a sharp javelin to ward off dogs and men, as well as a two-edged sword; and I shall give (him) sandals beneath his feet, and I shall send (him) to wherever his heart and soul bids him go."    

Then shrewd Telemachus said to her once more in reply: "My mother, (as for) the bow, not one of the Achaeans has a better right than I to give (it) or deny (it) to whomever I wish, neither those who are chieftains in rugged Ithaca, nor those who (are rulers) in the islands in the direction of horse-rearing Elis; not one of them can force me to act against my will, even if I should wish to give this bow to the stranger once and for all to take away (with him). But go to your room to take care of your own tasks, the loom and the spindle, and tell your attendants to get on with their work; now the bow is the concern of all men, and me especially; for the master in this house is me."

Ll. 354-400. Odysseus receives the bow.

Full of astonishment, she went back to her room; for she laid her son's shrewd speech in her heart. And, going up to the upper story (of the house) with her attendant women, then she wept for Odysseus, her beloved husband, until bright-eyed Athene cast sweet sleep on her eyelids.  

Meanwhile the goodly swineherd (i.e. Eumaeus) had picked up the curved bow and was carrying (it) along; then, all the suitors let out loud shouts in the hall; and one of the haughty young men spoke as follows: "Where are you taking that curved bow, (you) wretched swineherd, (you) vagabond? Moreover, those speedy dogs that you have bred will soon devour you out there among your pigs and far away from (other) men, if Apollo and the other immortal gods should be gracious unto us." 

So they spoke; then he took it and put it down in that very place, full of apprehension because many in the hall were shouting. But Telemachus in a threatening voice called out loudly from the other side: "Come on, old fellow, you'll soon find it hard to obey everyone; lest, younger than you though I am, I shall chase you into the fields, pelting (you) with a shower of stones; for in strength I am better (than you). Would that I were so much stronger in my hands and muscles than all of those suitors who are (here) in this house!  Then, to their regret, I would soon be packing them off to depart from this house of mine, when they hatch their wicked (plots)."

So he spoke; and then all the suitors laughed pleasantly at him, and gave up their bitter wrath against Telemachus; then, the swineherd carried the bow down the hall, until he stood beside wise Odysseus and put (it) in his hands. Then, he called the nurse Eurycleia from (her quarters) and said to (her): "Telemachus calls upon you, wise Eurycleia, to shut the close-fitting doors of the hall; but if anyone should hear (the sound of) groaning, or the noise of men within our walls, they are not to go outside at all, but to remain at their work in silence."

So then he spoke; but with her the word stayed unwinged (i.e. she made no reply), and she locked the doors of the hall that was well-filled with people.  

And Philoetius slipped silently out of the house, and then he barred the doors leading to the well-fenced courtyard. Now a fresh cable, made of Egyptian papyrus, lay curled up under the portico, and with it he bound fast the doors, and then he went inside himself. Then he went and sat down on the stool from which he had just risen, and he gazed upon Odysseus. And now he (i.e. Odysseus) had control of the bow, and was turning (it) about on every side and trying (it) out at both ends, for fear that worms might have eaten the horns in the absence of its master. And so, with each man glancing at his neighbour, one (of them) said: "This man who is an admirer of bows is also given to stealing. Doubtless he wishes such (things) to lie in his home, or (he wishes) to make one, so the vagabond, practised in evil (things as he is), turns (it) up and down in his hands."

Ll. 401-434. Odysseus proves himself with the bow.

And then another one of the arrogant youths said: "Would that (he has) as much luck in doing that as he can ever have in stringing this (one)!" So did the suitors talk; but Odysseus, (that man) of many wiles, at once lifted up the great bow and checked (it) on every side, as when a man, skilled at the lyre and in song, easily stretches a fresh string around a leather strap, fixing the well-twisted sheep-gut on both sides, so did Odysseus string the great bow without haste. Then, he took up the string in his right hand and tested (it), and under (his touch) it sang sweetly, like the voice of a swallow. Then, great distress came over (the minds of) the suitors, and in all of them their complexion changed its colour.  And Zeus thundered loudly in the display of his signs. Then, the much-enduring godlike Odysseus was delighted that the son of crooked-thinking Cronos had sent him an omen. And he seized a swift arrow, which lay beside him uncovered on the table; and the others, which the Achaeans were soon destined to experience, lay inside the hollow quiver. Taking it (and putting it) on the bridge of the bow, he drew back the string and its notches from the very stool where he sat and shot the arrow, and of all the axes he did not miss a single handle-hole, and the brass-burdened arrow came out right through (them); then, he said to Telemachus: "Telemachus, the stranger who sits in your hall brings no shame upon you, nor did I miss the mark in any way, or labour long at all in stringing the bow; my strength is still unbroken, not as the wooers scornfully taunt me. But now is the time for supper to be prepared for the Achaeans in the daylight, and then to find other amusements with song and with the lyre; for these (things) are the adornments of a feast."

He spoke, and gave a signal with his eyebrows; then, Telemachus, the beloved son of divine Odysseus, girded on his sharp sword, and put his hand around his spear, and stood by the chair beside his (father), armed with glittering bronze.