At dawn Ulysses is awakened by Telemachus, and soon after the house is once more invaded by the suitors, who with their own hands slay the animals provided for their food.

Once more they display their malevolence by ill treating the beggar, and taunt Telemachus, who apparently pays no heed to their words.
_Book XXI._ Meantime Minerva has prompted Penelope to propose to the suitors to string Ulysses' bow and shoot an arrow through twelve rings.

Armed with this weapon, and followed by handmaids bearing bow, string, and arrows, Penelope appears in the banquet-hall, where the suitors eagerly accept her challenge.

But, after Antinous has vainly striven to bend the bow, the others warily try sundry devices to ensure its pliancy.
Meantime, noticing that the swineherd and one of his companions--upon whose fidelity he counts--have left the hall, Ulysses follows them, makes himself known by means of his scar, and directs them what to do.
Then, returning into the hall, he silently watches the suitors' efforts to bend the bow, and, when the last has tried and failed, volunteers to make the attempt, thereby rousing general ridicule.

All gibes are silenced, however, when the beggar not only spans the bow, but sends his first arrow through the twelve rings.