Many
things happened in Ithaca while Odysseus was away.
Everywhere people said that he had not got in contact
with home since a long time ago, and so many suitors had tried to convince
Penelope to forget him day after day. Athene authorized Telemach to go to
search for Odysseus. He then went to Sparta and Argos and asked for his
father, and found him on his way to Ithaca.
He described him the situation in the court and,
together with some allies that they still had in the island, they draw a
plan to get rid of the suitors. Odysseus disguised himself as a beggar and
went to see Penelope. He arrived there just on time to listen the last
condition she was setting for her admirers. That man who could tighten the
bow of Odysseus and shoot through 17 axes with it, that man could marry
her. Of course, she was sure that none of them would manage to do it. And
so one after the other tried to tighten the bow, but none of them
succeeded.
But then the beggar asked if he could try just one
time. All the men laughed at him and let him try. He took the bow, rubbed
it with fat, let it war a little over the fire, placed an arrow, and shot
through the 17 axes. While they were still in a shock, Odysseus took a
second arrow and shot the leader of the suitors, Antinos, straight in his
neck. With the third arrow he shot Eurymachos directly in his heart. Soon
all his friends jumped into action and started a started what it became an
indescribable blood-bath. The maids that had guided the suitors were hung
at the doors.
After this, Odysseus uncovered his face to
Penelope that they embraced each other. After 20 years of abstinence and
many tests from the Gods, Odysseus return closed a passionate story of
hope and love.
Perseus / Heracles / Theseus / The Argonauts / Odyssey / Phaethon / Orpheus
