Odysseus: Novel Summary: Chapters 21-22

Chapter 21: Penelope begins the archery contest. She gets Odysseus' bow, and promises that she will marry the suitor who best uses it. Telemachus sets up the targets, but he cannot string the bow. All of the other suitors fail as well, and do not hit any of the targets. Odysseus talks to Eumaios in another room, and reveals himself to the pig shepherd. Eumaios pledges his loyalty and willingness to help fight the suitors. Then Odysseus comes back to the archery contest, and asks if he can try to shoot the bow. The suitors threaten Odysseus, but Penelope demands that he be allowed to shoot the bow. The suitors begrudgingly agree, but they send Penelope away from the hall. Odysseus, since it is his bow, strings it easily, and shoots the arrow through all of the targets at once, as they are set in a straight line. The suitors realize that they are screwed, and Telemachus begins to draw his sword.
Chapter 22: Odysseus reveals himself, and the battle begins in earnest. Telemachus runs to get some armor while Odysseus kills with his bow and arrows. Melanthios, the disloyal servant, helps the suitors, but Odysseus ties him up. Athena helps Odysseus in the form of Mentor. These three kill all of the suitors, and do not accept any pleas for mercy. The only ones who are spared are ones who did not fight, the singer, and Medon, a loyal servant who hid during the fighting. Odysseus summons Eurykleia, who rejoices at the slaughter. He asks her to tell him which female servants have been loyal, and which have been disloyal, and the disloyal servants are killed along with Melanthios.