Odysseus returned to the banquet hall and found Eurymachus trying to bend the bow and string it. Alas, he was no better than the rest of the suitors and put it down with shame. Antinous offered an explanation for the poor performance. “Great warriors like us have failed to string the bow because this day is sacred to Apollo. We have dishonoured the god by indulging in recreations and hence, victory has eluded us. We shall try to string the bow again tomorrow,” he suggested.
At this, Odysseus came forward and requested to try his hand
in stringing the bow. “I would like to see whether I’m still good at archery,”
he explained. The suitors scorned at the old beggar for his daring and
threatened to kill him if he even tried to touch the bow. However, Penelope and
Telemachus encouraged the guest to go ahead and try to string the bow. The
suitors flew into a rage and a commotion ensued. Telemachus ordered his mother
to return to her room, while Eumaeus handed the bow to the old beggar who was
none other than his master Odysseus. The other servant swiftly closed the doors
as ordered earlier.
Odysseus lifted the bow tenderly and bent it with ease. He
shot an arrow through the silver rings and pierced a solid gate at the end of
the hall. That was the first time the suitors beheld the old beggar with fear
and wonder. Telemachus drew a javelin and sword in his hands and jumped to his
father’s aid.
Having defended his honour successfully, Odysseus looked
majestic and inspired awe in the hearts of the suitors. “I’ve just won one of
the games of the day. There is yet another,” he cried. He lost no time in
getting into action. Picking up another arrow from the quiver, he aimed it at
Antinous’s neck and severed it. As their chief fell down to an agonised death,
the other suitors were struck with horror. They looked about for weapons to
punish the old beggar. They still had not recognised the gallant Odysseus and
thought that the beggar had killed Antinous by mistake.
Odysseus said aloud, “You men were neither afraid nor
ashamed to spoil my house and wealth in my absence. You did not fear the wrath
of the immortal gods. Nor did you fear the infamy that might shroud your names
in the years to come. The hour of vengeance for all your evil deeds has arrived
now.” As the suitors recognised Odysseus, they were overwhelmed with shame and
terror and stood tongue-tied. Eurymachus managed to gather the courage to plead
mercy with the furious warrior.
“Odysseus, forgive us for our misdeeds. You have already
killed our leader and we were only his followers. Please forgive us and we
promise to restore your wasted wealth and treasures,” Eurymachus said.
Odysseus was in no mood to grant mercy to the callous men.
“Your wealth and treasures will not inspire mercy in my heart. You shall pay
for your wrongdoings with your lives,” he replied tartly.
At this, Eurymachus drew out his sword and rushed menacingly
at Odysseus. But Odysseus was too swift for him and killed him with a quick
thrust of his sword. He then proceeded to kill the remaining suitors with his
bow and arrows. Even as he tackled the suitors, Telemachus and Eumaeus formed a
protective shield around him.
Meanwhile, one of the suitors sneaked to the arms chamber
and helped the other suitors to find weapons. But soon, Eumaeus overpowered the
man. The clash of the arms and the cries of agony and fear shook the palace.
Every one of the men, except Medon, the herald, and Phemius the bard were
killed. Odysseus ordered the servants to clean the palace. They carried out the
bodies of the dead men and washed the stains of blood.
As he entered Penelope’s room, she rushed forward and hugged
him in joy. Odysseus was happy to be united with his loving wife after a long
span of two decades. The servants who had remained faithful to him during his
long absence once again pledged their loyalty to him. Odysseus related his
strange and terrifying adventures in faraway lands to his wife. Then, he
proceeded to meet his father Laertes and comfort him.
In the following days, the relatives of the suitors executed
by Odysseus tried to revolt against him. But Odysseus quickly crushed their
uprising and established his authority. He ruled Ithaca ably and justly for
many long years in the company of his brave and dutiful son Telemachus.
(Concluded)
Painting: Penelope and Odysseus by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein (1751-1829)
