Books 21 to 24: Summary

Penelope announces the contest and retrieves Odysseus’ massive bow from a secret storeroom deep in the palace. She explains the challenge, as Telemachus lays down the twelve axes, and the suitors take turns. However, they all struggle with the bow and fail at the challenge.

In the meantime, Odysseus reveals his true identity to Eumaeus and Philoetius, who willingly agree to help him. He tells them to ask the women to stay indoors till the fight ends and to lock the courtyard door. Meanwhile, the suitors continue to struggle with the bow, and Antinous suggests that the contest be postponed until the next day. However, Odysseus asks if he might participate in the challenge, an idea that Penelope strongly supports. Odysseus easily strings the weapon and fires an arrow straight through the axes. Odysseus then turns to Telemachus, and they stand together to face the suitors.

After the battle has ended and the house has been cleaned, Eurycleia goes to Penelope’s quarters to give her the news. Penelope finds it hard to believe that her husband has returned. Instead of greeting her husband with joy, Penelope is hesitant. Telemachus rebukes her for her scepticism. Odysseus gently suggests that the prince leave his parents to work things out. He also instructs him to gather the servants and the bard and stage a fake wedding feast to cover up for the slaughter that has taken place.

Penelope decides to test Odysseus to confirm his identity. As he listens, she asks Eurycleia to move the bedstead out of the couple’s chamber and cover it with blankets. Having carved the bed himself out of a living olive tree that grew in the courtyard of the palace, Odysseus would know that the bed cannot be moved. When Odysseus becomes upset that the original bed may have been destroyed, Penelope is relieved and accepts him wilfully. For the first time in twenty years, they spend a blissful night together. Meanwhile, Athena delays the onset of dawn to grant the couple more time.

Early next morning, Odysseus asks Penelope to take the women of the house and hide alongside them in the topmost tower. He then goes with them to visit his father along with Telemachus, his loyal swineherd, and cowherd.

The final book opens with Hermes leading the souls of the dead suitors to Hades. These souls run into Greek heroes such as Achilles and Agamemnon. One of the suitors, Amphimedon, when he recites the story, blames Penelope for his death. However, Agamemnon praises Penelope for her faithfulness.

Back in Ithaca, Odysseus arrives at Laertes’ farm and approaches him. Laertes has not aged well. After identifying himself, Odysseus joins Laertes, Telemachus, and the two faithful herdsmen for a homecoming meal.

Meanwhile, rumor of the slaughter has spread through the city, and Eupithes, father of Antinous, calls for revenge. More than half of the men follow Eupithes to Laertes’ farm, seeking Odysseus and vengeance. Athena appears before the Ithacans as a mentor, commanding them to make peace. The Ithacans consent, and Odysseus reigns over a peaceful kingdom for many long years.

Books 21 to 24: Analysis

Penelope’s choice of contest supports the view that she is aware of Odysseus’s real identity. When Odysseus asks for an unofficial chance to participate, Penelope immediately agrees. The fact that Telemachus comes close, on his fourth try, to stringing the bow symbolically illustrates that he is mature enough to take his father’s legacy forward. Even during the fight with the suitors, Telemachus supports Odysseus, fighting side-by-side with him.

In this last section, the reader witnesses Odysseus as a leader. He assesses the situation at hand, devises an effective plan, and implements it successfully. Although the suitors’ behavior makes him angry, he remains calm and waits for the right opportunity.

Finally, Penelope and Odysseus are reunited. Initially, owing to the harrowing experiences she has had, Penelope is suspicious about her husband’s identity. However, she comes up with a clever way to prove that Odysseus is her husband. Just like the love between Penelope and Odysseus, their marriage bed is constant. The final book again highlights the main themes of the poem: love and fidelity.