When the contest of the bow begins, none of the suitors are able to string the bow, except Odysseus who wins the contest. Having done so, he proceeds to slaughter the suitors – beginning with Antinous whom he finds drinking from his cup – with help from Telemachus, Athena and the slaves Eumaeus the swineherd and Philoetius the cowherd. Odysseus has now revealed himself in all his glory (with a little makeover by Athena); yet Penelope cannot believe that her husband has really returned – she fears that it is perhaps some god in disguise, as in the story of Alcmene – and tests him by ordering her slave Eurycleia to move the bed in their bridal-chamber. Odysseus protests that this cannot be done, since he made the bed himself and knows that one of its legs is a living olive tree. Penelope finally accepts that he truly is Odysseus, a moment that highlights their homophrosýnē (, "like-mindedness"). Homer implies that from then on Odysseus would live a long and happy life together with Penelope and Telemachus, wisely ruling his kingdom, and enjoying wide respect and much success.
when the contest of the bow begins none of the suitors are able to string the bow except odysseus who wins the contest having done so he proceeds to slaughter the suitors – beginning with antinous whom he finds drinking from his cup – with help from telemachus athena and the slaves eumaeus the swineherd and philoetius the cowherd odysseus has now revealed himself in all his glory (with a little makeover by athena); yet penelope cannot believe that her husband has really returned – she fears that it is perhaps some god in disguise as in the story of alcmene – and tests him by ordering her slave eurycleia to move the bed in their bridal-chamber odysseus protests that this cannot be done since he made the bed himself and knows that one of its legs is a living olive tree penelope finally accepts that he truly is odysseus a moment that highlights their homophrosýnē ( "like-mindedness") homer implies that from then on odysseus would live a long and happy life together with penelope and telemachus wisely ruling his kingdom and enjoying wide respect and much success