English 12: World Literature
The Odyssey
Book Twenty-one: The Test of the Bow
Lakedaimon- where Athena got her bow,
bow from Iphitos son of Eurytos. They met
in Messania. (Now Odysseus’ Hunting bow)
Herakles killed Iphitos in Tiryns.
Using Odysseus’ Hunting bow, the one who
sends the arrow in the axe-helve sockets, 12
in line, shall wed Penelope.
Eumaios- the one Penelope tasked to hand
out his masters’ bow to Penelope’s suitors.
Telemakhos- son of Penelope and
Odysseus, tried to shoot the bow to claim
his own mother, but failed.
Antinoos- ordered each suitor to shoot the
bow one at a time, one of the suitors. Tried
to postpone the competition because of the
feast for Apollo.
Leodes son of Oinops- failed, pursue other
women through gifts.
Melanthios- ordered to grease the bow—
sheepskin and lard.
Swineherd (Eumaios) and cowherd
(Philoitios)- Odysseus reveled himself first
to them and instructed them to do things
for the great reveal.
Eurymakhos- failed as well.
Odysseus tried, of course, he did.
Book Twenty-two: Death in the Great Hall
1 Albaran, Aira Marie Joy F. | B Public Administration
Odysseus shot the arrow to Antinoos first.
Eurymakhos tried to encourage everyone to
fight Odysseus. But he died as well—
second.
Amphinomos- killed by Telemakhos.
Telemakhos headed to get gears for his
father and their loyal servants.
Agelaos- tried to ask if there is someone
that can escape from the window.
Melanthios- got gears from the storage
rooms as well—12 shields, spears, and
helms. Was hoisted up to the roof beams as
ordered by Odysseus.
Agelaos tried to sway Athena to turn his
back on Odysseus.
Remained from 12 suitors that tried to Kill
Odysseus:
Agelaos
Eurynomos
Amphimedon
Demoptolemos
Peisandros
Polybos
Leodes
Ktesippos
Leokritos
Eurydamas
Athena intervened and saved Odysseus.
Aegis- shield of Zeus, lent by him to Athena.
Terpis- innocent, saved by Telemakhos.
Medon- saved as well, hid under the table.
 English 12: World Literature

Trial: Plant the Oar to please Poseidon, with

Eurykleia- nurse, woman head servant.
Odysseus ordered to kill the 12 women—
harlots, who turned their backs away from
Penelope after cleaning the gruesome
battlefield. Death by sword but Telemakhos
hung them for honorable death.
Melanthios- chopped nose and ears,
genitals fed to the dogs. Hacked his hands
and feet.
Fire and brimstone (sulfur)- to purify the
place.
offerings: a ram, a bull and a great buck
boar.
Hekatombs for the Gods who own broad
heaven, one by one.
Odysseus instructed Penelope to lock
herself and the women in the upper floor of
the house and never go out.
Odysseus if off to see his father up country
to the orchards.

Book Twenty-three: The Trunk of the Olive

Tree

Penelope cannot believe that Odysseus was

alive. She thought the nurse was a lunatic.

Wedding feast to cover the massacre.

Phemios- harper.

Eurynome bathed Odysseus.

Old trunk of olive tree in the bedroom-

secret that only Penelope and Odysseus
knew.

Aktoris- slave of Penelope, laid her (?) eyes

on the old trunk of the olive tree, he was
sent by Penelope’s father.

Athena slowed the night. Held the Dawn

under the Ocean of the East. Firebright and
Daybright stayed their harnessing.

2 Albaran, Aira Marie Joy F. | B Public Administration