The Odyssey - - Books 18-21

In these books, I feel the tension getting even stronger. There was some relief once Odysseus was able to shoot an arrow through the 12 axes. Even though the tension of whether Odysseus was able to complete the task or not was gone, tension rose inside of me wondering what the suitors were thinking. They watched a beggar who once before proved himself mighty by fighting Iris, string the bow and shoot the arrow through 12 axes effortlessly.

Odysseus somewhat wowed the suitors by his actions. He seemed weak due to his disguise however he was able to complete amazing tasks that seemed impossible. It is the common story of where the ordinary man has amazing potential. Its just that in this story, the suitors didnt know who he actually was. In fact, without the disguise, Odysseus may have had his life in danger. The suitors could have killed him knowing that he was coming back for his wife. Though his disguise helped him for a little while, later on it doesnt matter. The war on the suitors was forshadowed in the book. Odysseus wished to break blood from the suitors. His mind is full of revenge at this point in the story, however only shows it by shooting the arrow through the 12 axes. This was also another way to scare the suitors of his character and his goals. Of course, from the fight he had before, and other situations, it was pretty clear that he was no ordinary man. A disguise made them think little of him when they met him. However, when they began to know him in depth, they realised his amazing strength and skill. Even as old as he was, he was given strength by the gods which could not be beaten by man.