Books 21-24 were the climactic scenes in the book fields with many dramatic events. The whole scene surrounds this curved bow that was a gift Odysseus have received from an old friend Iphitus. The bow reinstates Odysseus superiority in the book. It in a way it takes us back to a time before Odysseus faced any hardship. This particular bow challenges the strength of the suitors as Eumaeus says, “will separate the men from the boys. It won’t be easy to string that polished bow. There is no man here such as Odysseus was”(21.88-90). Eumaeus is trying to instill fear in the suitors saying Odysseus strength is unmatched and hoping that he will come back to reclaim his rightful place. After suitors Leodes attempt and fail to string the bow he says, “I foresee it will rob Many a young hero of the breath of life. The bow presented a problem among the suitors, which was not to be ignored. The bow to me symbolizes restoration and peace back to Ithaca. Once back in the rightful hand of Odysseus the books shift fulfilling the prophecy Odysseus will reclaim his place as king of Ithaca.
What amazes me is Odysseus tactician ways that helped to overcome every obstacle that was placed in front of him from the gods to mortals. Odysseus out spoken words stole the hearts of some and others sympathized. It’s interesting how the role of hiding his identity played an important part of the books. It helped him get through many barriers and win many battles. The book overall was interesting i like the fact that everyone who suffered through grieving over Odysseus return was now in a better place, order was now restored!
I agree on the idea that hiding his identity is what helped Odysseus through most of his obstacles. I think if he were to reveal his true self in some of those situations he wouldn’t of gotten out of them like when he told the cyclops his name was nobody.
I agree that the bow does help in proving how much strength and power Odysseus has and I also think that Eumaeus was just helping to scare off the suitors by amplifying how great Odysseus is. It’s really great to see that Odysseus is now home because after everything that he has been through, he deserves to regain power back in Ithaca.
I was expecting more of a twist in the finale of the epic because of the build up and the set backs that forbid Odysseus from returning home. I guess I was a little disappointed with the ending. Nevertheless, a great epic.
I agree with what you said but I believe that Odysseus was hiding his identity only because he was warned by Agamemnon to see if Penelope was loyal. Odysseus just hid is identity to see who was loyal to him and who wasn’t. I believe he didn’t hide his identity because he wouldn’t be able to face suitors alone. His name is strong enough to make suitors fear of him. He didn’t need to hide him self. But overall I think it was a great and peaceful ending.
well, the bow to me symbolizes power, whoever makes bow to shoot an arrow through a line of twelve axes can rule in Ithaca. what most interesting is that Odysseus as begger’s success in making a shoot makes his revelation scene more impressive to readers. The battle and death of suitor at the end implies Odysseus’s inherent superiority and his right to rule in Ithaca.
I also believe that the bow symbolizes power. Only a man as powerful as Odysseus can wield such a weapon. We see in the book that Odysseus’ son Telemachus was close to succeeding in stringing the bow on his fourth try but was given a signal by his father to stop. I feel like this scene relates to our discussion in class about Telemachus becoming a man. He is the son of “godlike” Odysseus, no longer a little child, he is now a grown man. He has the same blood coursing through his veins, and people would expect a man so mighty to have offspring just as himself when they come into age.
Yes I agree that hiding himself was to pick out who was not loyal. But I thought the fact that he hid himself as a beggar added a layer of meaning. I feel that as a beggar, which I would say is the lowest in terms of class he would be able to see beyond loyalty. He would be able to see who had kindness. Anyone could be loyal because of fear. But I feel Odysseus hid as a beggar to see who had loyalty on top of kindness of heart.
I agree with you that identity played an important role in this book. If Athena did not use her power to disguise Odysseus in many forms, or cast a mist around him several times to make him invisible, he wouldn’t be able to make to Ithaca for sure. Furthermore, I think the bow challenge that Penelope give to the suitors is also related to the theme of identity. I’m guessing she knows that her husband is the only person who can conquer the challenge, therefore I think it’s her way of showering off Odysseus strength, which is related to identity. Also, I liked the idea you mentioned about all the people who suffered for Odysseus’s return ended up well at the end. Only the people who hoped for Odysseus’s return ended up living at the end, this is a classic case where good people suffer through out the story to fight the villains, and villains always die in the end of the story.
WOW! and all that happened because he poked someone’s eye out. I agree with the top comment, it was nice to see characters that no matter what happened remained loyal and honest.
Good point about the bow symbolizing power. During the whole fighting scene the details were so vivid all i thought was, “ew, who’s head rolled off?”.
The final books of the Odyssey 21-24 were not disappointing for me. In fact I find Odysseus definitely dishes out his cunning/ strategic ways effectively in overcoming them. Each suitor dies in a quick but gruesome manner, some more ironic than others. For example Melanthius (book 22 line 499), he is a goat herdsman and is slaughtered like a goat himself and genitals fed to dogs. I could not have planned it better myself to have all the suitors in the same room for the attack and keep them cornered for the most part. The bow is agreeably very symbolic and I think helps wrap up the entire epic suitably.
I am however a bit surprised Athena (Book 22 line 272 and line 290), stepped in and helped him in his revenge on the suitors. I feel like the strength of Odysseus and his anger should have been enough to get the job done with his son and two others helping. Especially since it seemed like Athena had been waiting for that moment the entire time. Her standing back and marveling in Odysseus’ triumph seemed more fitting for me as it makes Odysseus appear more heroic dodging their attacks.
Lastly, I just wanted to mention the moment I really saw Telemachus become a man in the epic (line 376 book 21). This moment something comes alive in his being. Telemachus says “This bow is men’s business, and my business. Especially since I am the master of this house.” So again the bow really set this in motion for the story ending and for him crossing over to manhood and taking his rightful place in the future of Ithaca.
i agree with hiding identity help to overcome the difficult situations. if he did not do that, he can not leave from Cyclopes and win the battle. In addition,
i like the peaceful and happy ending because it is rewarded enough from Odysseus efforts.
In ancient Greece the theme of blood feud was really common. Especially members of upper class were involved. Odysseus has knew about consequences, but he still unleashed his anger. This is not clear to me, how come such a smart, cunning and prudent man could let this massacre happen. This is him, who organized it. I think it proves that he really likes to show off. He knew that Athena will help him to deal with avengers. As of to me that is a downgrading pint.
I agree with Odysseus superiority to all men in any task. To me the suitors trying to string a bow and shooting the arrow reminded me of the Phaecians in their games at Scheria. Both mocked Odysseus and thought he couldn’t perform but in the end they didn’t stand a chance against him.