the contest of the bow in Ithaca

E19363

The contest of the bow in Ithaca is the climactic episode in Homer’s Odyssey where Penelope’s suitors attempt and fail to string Odysseus’ bow, allowing the disguised hero to reveal himself and reclaim his home.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
contest of the bow in Ithaca 0

Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf archery contest
episode in the Odyssey
mythological event
centralObject axes
bow of Odysseus
conditionOfVictory shooting an arrow through a row of axe heads
stringing Odysseus’ bow
culturalContext Greek mythology
surface form: Ancient Greek mythology
featuresCharacter Antinous
Eumaeus
Eurymachus
Odysseus
Penelope
Philoetius
Telemachus
featuresGroup suitors of Penelope
hasAuthor Homer
hasOutcome Odysseus reclaims his home
end of Penelope’s suitors
initiatedBy Penelope
keyEvent Odysseus shoots an arrow through the axe heads
Odysseus strings the bow
Telemachus nearly strings the bow
suitors fail to string the bow
languageOfWork Ancient Greek
leadsTo killing of the suitors
revelation of Odysseus’ identity
literaryGenre epic poetry
medium oral epic tradition
narrativeFunction climax of the Odyssey
moment of recognition
prelude to the slaughter of the suitors
occursInBook Homer's Odyssey
surface form: Odyssey Book 21
partOf Homer's Odyssey
surface form: Odyssey
purposeInStory selection of a husband for Penelope
relatedWork Odysseus’ return to Ithaca
slaughter of the suitors
supportedBy Athena
symbolizes divine favor toward Odysseus
fidelity between Odysseus and Penelope
legitimacy of Odysseus as king
takesPlaceAt Palace of Odysseus in Ithaca
surface form: palace of Odysseus
takesPlaceIn Ithaca
theme identity and recognition
justice
marital fidelity
revenge

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Homer's Odyssey hasEpisode the contest of the bow in Ithaca