The Bow of Odysseus

We recently saw this exhibit at the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth. It reminded me that my kids' exposure to mythology has been laughingly lacking considering my own undergraduate experience. So I went to the library to see what versions of Homer's Odyssey have been published for children.

For reference, I began with the text we used in Freshman English:

 

The Odyssey of Homer Translated by Richard Lattimore

"So the suitors talked, but now resourceful Odysseus, once he had taken up the great bow and looked it over, as when a man, who well understands the lyre and singing, easily, holding it on either side, pulls the strongly twisted cord of sheep's gut, so as to slip it over a new peg, so, without any strain, Odysseus strung the great bow. Then plucking it in his right hand he tested the bow string, and it gave him back an excellent sound like the voice of a swallow." (319)

I then turned to the "retellings." With colorful illustrations on each page, this first version captures the poetry of the original and the gripping tension of its plot:

The Odyssey Retold by Robin Lister and Illustrated by Alan Baker

"Odysseus ignored the mockery. He tested the bow in his hands, taking his time, until it began to feel once more, as it had done all those years ago, like an extension of his own arms and hands. At last he was satisfied, and in a single flowing movement, he bent it back and strung it and then plucked it like a lyre so that it sang out pure and clear as a swallow's song." (Chapter XV)

I was pleasantly surprised to find this next version by the author of the Magic Tree House series. Fans of this series know that Osborne can tell a compelling story. Her simplified version may appeal to younger readers or listeners:

 

Tales from the Odyssey by Mary Pope Osborne

"Odysseus slowly examined the bow. Then he bent and strung it effortlessly, as if he were a musician stringing a harp. When he finished, he plucked the taut cord. It sang like a swallow's note." (239)

The final version I looked at comes from the Classic Starts series. Illustrated with pencil drawings, this version captures the main events, but its simplified language is somewhat tedious:

 

The Odyssey Retold by Tania Zamorsky and Illustrated by Eric Freeberg

"Finally the suitors agreed. They gave Odysseus the bow. The moment it touched his hands, Odysseus handled it easily. He strung it quickly. He plucked the string to test it. It rang with a grim tone." (131)