Question

Why do you think penelope devise the contest with the bow what does this contest reveal about her?

Answer 1

I believe that Penelope devised the contest with the bow and arrows in order to buy both herself and Odysseus more time. He was gone for a long time, but she kept believing he would return to her and they would be happy again. However, he was gone for more than 10 years, and many suitors now came to Ithaca in order to marry Penelope and rule there. She obviously didn't want that, so she created this contest knowing that nobody could win it besides Odysseus who is the best archer ever. What it reveals about her is her absolute faithfulness and devotion to her husband whom she hasn't seen in over a decade.