Student Question
Why is the Test of the Bow in The Odyssey so difficult?
Quick answer:
The Test of the Bow is challenging because it requires immense strength to string Odysseus's bow, which is very stiff and powerful. None of the suitors can manage to string the bow, let alone shoot an arrow through the twelve axe handles. This test ultimately demonstrates Odysseus's superior strength and skill, setting him apart from the suitors and revealing his true identity in front of them.
You can find the story of the test of the bow in Chapter 21. It is the point at which Odysseus really comes out and declares who he is in front of the suitors.
The test was that Penelope says that she will marry whichever suitor can string the bow and then shoot an arrow through 12 axe handles. None of the suitors can even string the bow so none of them even gets a shot at the axe handles.
The reason that this is so hard is that the bow is very stiff. A stiffer bow is more powerful, but it is much harder to use -- you have to be way stronger. So this is a way of showing that Odysseus is much stronger than any of the suitors.
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