Penelope announces that she will have a contest. If you win the contest, it is wished that you can marry her. She knows that this is a game Odysseus can win. Penelope gets out Odysseus' backsprung bow from the palace. Telemachus tries for the bow, but fails three times. Many of the suitors try the bow, but not one suitor can't string it. Antinous suggests that this contest should be postponed the next day. After all the attempts, Odysseus, in his beggar clothes, asked to try the bow. The suitors refuse to give the bow to a beggar, but Penelope insists. He shoots at all axes.