Ulysses' bow, a keepsake from his friend Iphitus, had remained at home while he sailed for Troy. It was more than a weapon; it was a symbol of his strength and a token of his kingly identity.
The Challenge
"Whomsoever shall string the bow most easily and send his arrow through twelve axes..."
The arrow sings like the twittering of a swallow!
Tried thrice with all his might; almost succeeded on the fourth, but was checked by his father.
First to try. "My hands are weak and unused to hard work."
Warmed the bow by the fire and greased it with lard, yet still could not string it.
"He strung it as easily as a skilled bard strings a new peg of his lyre... then Jove thundered loudly as a sign, and the heart of Ulysses rejoiced."
Result: Perfect Cleave
Arrow pierced every handle-hole from first to last.
Before the final shot, Ulysses takes Eumaeus (swineherd) and Philoetius (stockman) outside and reveals his true identity by showing them the scar. He enlists their help to lock the doors and prepare for the slaughter.
Eumaeus
Philoetius