The test!

To determine which suitor she is to marry, Penelope has created a challenging test.  Each of the many eager suitors must string Odysseus' greatly oversized bow. Then they are required to shoot the stringed bow through one dozen iron ax handles with out touching any of the handles. Only Odysseus is capable of either of these challenging feats.  The first man steps up and can barely move the bow enough to even attempt stringing it, let alone shoot it through one dozen ax handles! Many more men attempt to finish Penelope's test, but all fail.  Odysseus than asks if he may be worthy of trying to complete the challenge.  Penelope approves, meaning, she thinks this beggar is worthy of being marred to her.  Odysseus sits down with his bow, effortlessly strings it, and all while still seated, expertly shoots the bow through all one dozen iron ax handles. Perfectly.

Visting with Penelope

The beggar travels to the palace so he may inform Penelope about what he has heard regarding the whereabouts of her long lost and greatly missed husband, Odysseus.  During the delightfully tasty meal, the suitors are very rude, poking fun at the beggar. After the meal, Penelope invites the beggar to her rooms.  There Penelope, not the most secretive of women, lets it slip that she has decided to move on from Odysseus and marry one of the many suitors, clamoring to marry her.  Penelope has designed a test to determine which of the men she is to marry.  Odysseus can not believe what he has just been told. Now he knows he must take the test, because only he is worthy of marring the beautiful Penelope.