Read books 21-24 carefully. The following study questions may help focus your reading.

1. What story is associated with the great bow of Odysseus, and what is its significance for the situation at hand?
2. Who first tries to string the bow? Why does he not string it yet? What does his strength say about him?
3. What do the suitors say when Odysseus asks for the bow? What is Penelope's response?
4. How does Telemachus get Penelope to leave the room?
5. Is Odysseus able to string the bow? How does Zeus respond?

Book 22:

1. Which suitor is Odysseus' first victim? Why?
2. What does Odysseus say to the suitors when he reveals himself to them?
3. What compromise does Eurymachus offer, and what is Odysseus' response?
4. When does Athene enter the battle, and what is her disguise? What does she say to Odysseus?
5. What happens to Telemachus and Eumaeus?
6. Leodes begs Odysseus for mercy. What is Odysseus' response?
7. Does Odysseus spare any of the suitors or their retainers?
8. What is the fate of the disloyal maids? Do you think they deserve it?
9. What is the fate of Melanthius? Do you think he deserves it?
10. Eurycleia tries to boss Odysseus around. Does it work? What is new in Ithaca now?

Book 23:

1. Book 23 is one of the most important episodes of the epic. It is not an adventure or a battle. How does Odysseus use his wits here and why?
2. How does Penelope prove herself worthy of Odysseus?
3. What do you think this book reveals about the values of the society?

Book 24:

1. Where does the opening of Book 24 take place? Why?
2. Is Agamemnon satisfied with having won the Trojan war?
3. What do the suitors tell Agamemnon when they see him? Do you think it is a fair representation of what has happened to them? Whose fault is it, according to them?
4. What is Agamemnon's response, and to whom does he compare Penelope?
5. How and why does Odysseus test his father? What story does he tell him?
6. Who is Dolius? What has happened to his son and daughter in the palace? Despite this, what is his response to Odysseus?
7. Who is Eupeithes and what does he want? Do you think he is justified?
8. On Olympus, what is Zeus' plan to have peace return to Ithaca? Do you think this is satisfactory?
9. Who kills Eupeithes and why is the action necessary?
10. At the end of the epic, three generations of one family, Ithacan kings and princes, fight side by side. How does this sum up a major theme of the poem?
11. Athene tells the Ithacans to stop fighting. How does Odysseus react and what makes him stop? Do you think this is a satisfactory end to the epic? Why or why not?