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Quizzes > Literature & Language > Books & Literature

Can You Master Odysseus Book 21 and String the Bow?

Ready for the Odyssey Book 21 Quiz? Take the Bow Challenge Now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of Odysseus stringing his bow with arrows laid out on dark blue background for quiz

Ready to test your mastery of odysseus book 21? Dive into this free odyssey book 21 quiz and tackle thrilling odysseus bow challenge questions that bring the epic scene to life! Whether you're a longtime Odyssey enthusiast or new to Greek myths, our quiz offers challenging odysseus quiz questions and engaging book 21 odyssey trivia to sharpen your memory. Each prompt is tailored to test your recall and deepen your insight into Homer's epic narrative. Need a refresher on Odysseus's return journey? Explore the trials in book 17 odyssey or immerse yourself in book 18 of the odyssey before you begin. Don't wait - prove your epic expertise and take the challenge now!

Who declares that the suitor who strings Odysseus’s bow and shoots through twelve axe heads will marry Penelope?
Penelope
Antinous
Telemachus
Eurymachus
In Book 21, Penelope devises the contest as a way to delay remarriage and test the suitors’ merit. She announces that the man who masters her husband’s bow will win her hand. Neither Telemachus nor any suitor other than Odysseus can string the bow successfully. SparkNotes Book 21 Summary
Who first attempts to string the bow in the contest before any of the suitors?
Telemachus
Odysseus
Antinous
Eumaeus
Telemachus steps forward first to demonstrate his rightful place as Odysseus’s son, but he lacks the strength to bend the bow. His attempt underscores the difficulty of the challenge and heightens suspense. This failure also sets the stage for Odysseus’s triumphant return. SparkNotes Book 21 Summary
Through how many axe heads must the arrow pass to win the contest?
Twelve
Ten
Eight
Sixteen
Penelope’s challenge requires an arrow to fly cleanly through the narrow gaps of twelve iron axe heads. This precise number underscores Odysseus’s former prowess and establishes an almost impossible task for the suitors. Only Odysseus’s unique strength and skill enable him to accomplish this feat. SparkNotes Book 21 Summary
Which suitor is the first to attempt stringing the bow after Telemachus fails?
Antinous
Eurymachus
Amphinomus
Leodes
Antinous, the most arrogant of the suitors, leaps forward immediately after Telemachus’s failure. His inability emphasizes that no suitor has inherited Odysseus’s heroic strength. This action heightens the dramatic tension before the disguised hero claims the bow. SparkNotes Book 21 Summary
Which goddess lends Odysseus strength and confidence when he strings the bow?
Athena
Hera
Artemis
Aphrodite
Athena, Odysseus’s divine patron, invigorates him at the critical moment of stringing the bow. Her assistance ensures his arms do not tremble and he performs the feat with ease. This intervention highlights the theme of divine aid in Homer’s epic. SparkNotes Book 21 Summary
Under what disguise does Odysseus enter the bow contest?
Beggar
Merchant
Soldier
Priest
Odysseus appears as a ragged beggar to move among the suitors undetected. This disguise allows him to observe his home’s condition and the suitors’ behavior firsthand. His true identity only emerges when he strings the bow. SparkNotes Book 21 Summary
What is the suitors’ immediate reaction when Odysseus easily strings the bow?
They draw their swords
They flee the hall
They cheer loudly
They faint in shock
Upon witnessing the stranger string the bow with effortless strength, the suitors reach for their swords, anticipating violence. This reaction underscores their lawless nature and sets the stage for the slaughter in Book 22. Their response contrasts with the respect due to a returning king. SparkNotes Book 21 Summary
Which command does Odysseus shout to ensure the suitors cannot escape after he strings the bow?
Bar the doors
Raise the alarm
Call for reinforcements
Offer peace terms
Odysseus orders Telemachus to secure the hall by barring the doors, trapping the suitors inside. This strategic move prevents them from fleeing and seals their fate. It demonstrates Odysseus’s tactical foresight as he prepares for vengeance. SparkNotes Book 21 Summary
The suitors’ presumptive use of Odysseus’s bow during the contest most starkly illustrates the violation of which Greek custom?
Xenia (hospitality)
Philia (friendship)
Hubris (arrogance)
Agon (competition)
Xenia, or the sacred code of hospitality, is broken when the suitors misuse Odysseus’s weapons in his own hall. Their brazen behavior towards a supposed guest betrays their disrespect for host–guest relations. Homer uses this violation to justify their ultimate punishment. SparkNotes Book 21 Summary
The twelve axes used in the bow contest symbolically parallel which group in Greek mythology?
The Olympian gods
The Titans
The Labors of Heracles
The months of the year
Scholars note that the number twelve evokes the twelve Olympian deities in Greek myth. By setting up twelve axes, Homer may subtly allude to divine order contrasted against the suitors’ impiety. This symbolism deepens the cosmic dimension of the contest. SparkNotes Book 21 Summary
Which later Roman epic alludes to Odysseus’s bow contest in its narrative?
The Aeneid
Metamorphoses
The Argonautica
The Iliad
Virgil’s Aeneid references the bow contest when Aeneas recalls Odysseus’s feats, highlighting its lasting cultural impact. This literary echo underscores the contest’s status as a touchstone of heroic prowess. Roman poets often wove Homeric motifs into their own epics. SparkNotes Book 21 Summary
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the Bow-Stringing Scene in Odyssey Book 21 -

    Grasp the significance of Odysseus's feat as he strings the bow and how this moment propels the climax of the epic.

  2. Recall Key Details of the Odysseus Bow Challenge -

    Memorize essential facts - like the bow's size and the order of suitors - so you can ace every odysseus bow challenge question.

  3. Analyze Odysseus's Strategy Against the Suitors -

    Examine his tactical choices and underlying motives to appreciate the hero's cunning in book 21 odyssey trivia.

  4. Identify Literary Devices and Themes in Book 21 -

    Spot metaphors, symbolism, and themes of justice and identity woven into this pivotal chapter.

  5. Evaluate Character Development through the Bow Trial -

    Assess how Odysseus's actions reveal growth, leadership, and the restoration of order in Ithaca.

  6. Apply Knowledge to Answer Odyssey Book 21 Quiz Questions -

    Use your understanding to confidently respond to interactive odyssey book 21 quiz items and test your mastery.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Symbolism of the Bow -

    In Odysseus Book 21, the bow embodies rightful kingship and lineage, a point emphasized by Oxford University's Classical Studies Department. Remember the mnemonic "Strength and heritage reveal the king" to lock in its symbolic weight. This concept often appears in odyssey book 21 quiz questions about symbolic objects.

  2. Technical Feat of Stringing -

    Hitting 12 complete twenty-foot loops with a single pull highlights Odysseus's unmatched strength, as detailed by Harvard's Classics Faculty. Don't underestimate the physical feat - use the phrase "bend, brace, become king" to recall the sequence of actions. It's a must-know for any odyssey book 21 quiz on the odysseus bow challenge.

  3. Suitors' Dramatic Failures -

    Every suitor's attempt ends in frustration, building tension and spotlighting Odysseus's superiority, as illustrated in Harvard's lecture notes. Keep in mind how each failed effort raises suspense - that's a great angle for book 21 odyssey trivia. Use flashcards to match each suitor's name with their specific misstep for quick recall.

  4. Athena's Subtle Intervention -

    UCLA's Homeric Studies commentary stresses how Athena bestows courage and clarity on Odysseus during the challenge. Recall "goddess-guided grip" to remember her unseen aid in steadying his hand. This divine edge is a popular topic in odysseus quiz questions about divine influence.

  5. Aftermath and Recognition -

    Yale Divinity School highlights Eurycleia's eye test and the suitors' shock as pivotal for reclaiming justice. Use the cue "scar, servant, salvation" to remember how recognition leads to retribution. This sequence is essential for acing any odyssey book 21 quiz focused on aftermath and justice.

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