Book 21 Odyssey: Odysseus Strings His Bow

The suitors are all attempting to shoot an arrow through a line of twelve axes, however none of them can even string the bow. Odysseus meets with Philoetius and Eumaeus outside, and he tells them his true identity, proving it with the scar on his foot. Odysseus confirms their loyalty and promises to treat them as Telemachus’s brothers if they fight against the suitors with him. Odyseuss then enters the palace. The suitors are still failing to string the bow. Antinous proposes that they put off the task until tomorrow, but to no avail as Odysseus then grabs the bow. He then effortlessly strings the bow and easily sends the arrow through all twelve axes, much to the despise of the suitors.

first passage:

In this passage we are introduced to Penelope, Odysseus' wife, going to get the bow that belonged to Odysseus. It goes on to tell the story of how Odysseus received the bow from his friend Iphitus. Odysseus and Iphitus met by fate, both trying to make a wrong, a right. Therefor it was fate that made Odysseus end up with the bow.

FATE, OR FREEWILL?

BOOK 21 LINES 1-45:

While reading the Odyssey, there is always a question whether an action is fate or freewill. This means either the character is being influenced by the gods or he is creating his own destiny.

In book 21, passages 1-45, there are actions of fate. For example, “The goddess Athena with her blazing eyes inspired Penelope, Icarius’ daughter, wary, poised, to set the bow and the gleaming iron axes out before her suitors waiting in Odysseus’ hall”. Athena influenced Penelope to put the bow in front of the suitors; she didn’t just decide to do it herself. Therefore it is an example of fate.

second passage:

Odysseus shows how he can be heroic.

Although we do not believe that

Odysseus is a hero, he shows acts

of heroism in this passage. Odysseus

takes his wife's challenge and shoots

an arrow through the twelve axes, which

no other suitor could accomplish.

"Setting shaft on the handgrip, drawing the notch

and bowstring back, back... right from his stool, just as he sat but aiming straight and true..."

BOOK 21 PASSAGES 450-470

In these passages Homer has examples of fate and freewill. When he states “Horror swept through the suitors, faces blanching white, and Zeus cracked the sky with a bolt, his blazing sign, and the great man who had borne so much rejoiced at last that the son of cunning Cronus flung that omen down for him…” he is making Zeus the controller in the situation. This is because Zeus is the one who threw the bolt down. So a god was controlling the situation therefore its fate.

“Setting shaft on the handgrip, drawing the notch and bowstring back, back…right from his stool, just as he sat but aiming straight and true, he let fly-and never missing an ax from the first ax-handle clean on through to the last and out the shaft with its weighted brazen head shot free!” This is an example of freewill because Odysseus chose to all of his actions during this part. None of the gods were forcing him to do this.

Overall, we don't think Odysseus is a hero. In these specific passages we can see the acts of heroism he acknowledges. Fate and freewill has greatly affected his journey.

While reading a piece of literature, you must notice the little things. The old English meaning of a word might change the overall theme for example. Patience is the key!

Book 21: Odysseus Strings his Bow

By: Mary Kate Rogan, Lucy Totino,

Reese Arthur, Megan Vaughn,

and Ryan Hogan

Our annotations

Interpretation

Summary

The Greeks have influenced our lives today. The Odyssey was an epic poem by Homer in ancient Greece. Today, people are still reading this piece of literature.