What is the theme in Book 21 of the Odyssey?

A theme of Book 21 is love because Odysseus comes back disguised as someone far lower than him, just to win Penelope back. A symbol in the story is the bow which represents how life was before all of the suitors came and when Odysseus was still king.

Who did Odysseus reveal himself to in 21?

Odysseus then goes outside and reveals his identity to Eumaeus and Philoetius, who promise him their loyalty. Odysseus tells them their part in his plan to slaughter the suitors and goes back to the contest. He strings the bow and shoots his first arrow through the 12 axes and signals Telemachus to begin the slaughter.

What makes Odysseus a hero in Book 21?

Odysseus’s ability to string the bow and shoot an arrow through the 12 axes speaks to his heroic strength. The scene is also important because, not only does it reveal his real identity to the suitors, but it also shows that he is stronger and more capable than they are.

Could Telemachus have strung the bow?

Penelope sets out Odysseus’s bow and axes, and announces to the suitors that the archer that can shoot an arrow cleanly through the axes will have her hand in marriage. Telemachus tries it first, to set an example, but he can’t even string the bow.

What is the conflict in Book 21 of the Odyssey?

Conflicts. ~ The suitors are all trying to win over Penelope and her wealth through winning the contest. ~Odysseus wants to be the king again, and bring his palace back to order.

Which guest can hit all 12 axes?

Telemachus takes control and orders Eumaeus to give Odysseus the bow. Needless to say, Odysseus easily strings it and sends the first arrow he grabs whistling through all twelve axes.

What does Penelope do to avoid marrying the suitors?

Penelope stalls the suitors for three years by saying that she would marry when she is finished weaving a shroud for Odysseus’s family. She would weave during the day and undo her work at night, so she would never finish. NOTE: The burial shroud will be the final act of respect for Odysseus’s family.

Why does Penelope cry over Odysseus bow?

Odysseus’s two suitors. Why is Penelope crying in lines 1-4? Because she is sad that he isn’t home yet. She proposed that whoever can string Odysseus’s rigid bow and shoot an arrow through a dozen axes.

What was the most important conflict in the Odyssey?

Man v god is the most important conflict in the story. Towards the beginning of the story Odysseus goes to war against the Trojans and wins. What he doesn’t know is that the great God Poseidon favored Odysseus and his army and helped them win the Trojan War.

How is the conflict resolved in the Odyssey?

RESOLUTION: Odysseus and Telemachus aided by Zeus and Athena defeat the entire room full of suitors. Not a single man lives. Odysseus calls for the servants to get the death cleaned out of the room before a woman, Penelope in particular, has the chance to see the bloodbath that unfolded.

Who does Penelope say she will marry?

In the Odyssey, Penelope says that she will marry whoever is able to shoot an arrow through twelve ax heads using Odysseus’s bow.

What was the summary of book 21 of the Odyssey?

The Odyssey Summary: Book 21 Penelope gets Odysseus ’s bow out of the storeroom and announces that she will marry the suitor who can string it and then shoot an arrow through a line of twelve axes. Telemachus sets up the axes and then tries his own hand at the bow, but fails in his attempt to string it.

What was the summary of Book XXI of the Odyssey?

Book XXI Summary: Telemachus sends her to her room, and then orders Eumaeus to give Odysseus the bow. The door and courtyard gate are also locked. Odysseus examines the bow as the suitors mock him. He smoothly strings it as Zeus thunders, and then shoots the arrow through the axe heads.

Where does Book 1 of the Odyssey take place?

Summary: Book 1. The story begins ten years after the end of the Trojan War, the subject of the Iliad. All of the Greek heroes except Odysseus have returned home. Odysseus languishes on the remote island Ogygia with the goddess Calypso, who has fallen in love with him and refuses to let him leave.

What happens to Penelope at the end of the Odyssey?

Eurykleia wakes Penelope and tells her about Odysseus’ return and his victory over the suitors. Penelope believes she is wrong, that a god must have killed the suitors and that Odysseus is dead. She finally goes downstairs and observes Odysseus in silence and from a distance, unsure if it is really he.