The Odyssey Book Nine: In the One-Eyed Giant's Cave (Kikonens, Lotus Eaters, Cyclops) Reading Comprehension Questions: 1. After Odysseus and his men have pillaged the town of Ismaros, why don't they just leave before the other Kikonens arrive to take vengeance? 2. What must Odysseus do to escape the island of the Lotus Eaters? 3. How does the island of the Cyclops appear on first view? 4. Why doesn't Odysseus kill Polyphemus on the first night he and his men are in the cave (by stabbing the cyclops in the liver)? 5. How has Odysseus tricked Polyphemus when the blinded monster calls to his neighbors for help? E.C. What mistake does Odysseus make with Polyphemus once he has safely escaped to sea? The Odyssey Book Ten: The Bewitching Queen of Aeaea (Aeolus, Laestrygonians, Circe) 1. After escaping the Cyclops, Odysseus lands on the island of Aiolia, the home of the wind god. Aeolus ties the winds in a bag and allows Odysseus and his men safe passage home. Within sight of Ithaca, Odysseus falls asleep, and his curious men untie the bag and release the winds from the magic bag. In an instant, the ship is blown all the way back to Aeolus' island. What does Odysseus nearly do when he wakes up and realizes what has happened? 2. What is strange about the approach to Circe's hall? 3. How does Odysseus avoid the strange fate of his men? 4. How long does Odysseus stay on Circe's island? 5. What does Circe say that Odysseus must do if he is to find his way home? E.C. Which of Odysseus' men breaks his neck when he gets drunk and falls to his death off Circe's roof? The Odyssey Book Nine: In the One-Eyed Giant's Cave (Kikonens, Lotus Eaters, Cyclops) Introduction: The escape from the Cyclops is Odysseus' most famous achievement, and his survival can be attributed to his intelligence (metis). The only way to defeat overwhelming force is by out thinking it, by seizing the passing moment and adapting to circumstance. Odysseus must use disguise and eventually violence to achieve his end.  Close Reading: Odysseus identifies himself before the Phaecians (9. 20-40) This is the culmination of the action since Odysseus' arrival on Scheria. "I am Lartes's son, Odysseus." Odysseus identifies himself so that the bond of xenia can be established between himself and King Alkinoos. Odysseus has emerged from the realm of sleep and fantasy into full possession of his faculties. By the time he finishes the narrative of his journey, he will be ready to arrive home in Ithaca. He describes himself as 'formidable for guile', a new epithet. He is no longer 'the wrecker of cities'. He says nothing yet of Penelope. He remains tactful and considerate of his hosts' feelings who have already offered him their daughter's hand in marriage. What does the episode with the Kikonens tell us about the mentality of Odysseus and his men right after they had embarked from Troy on their journey home? (9. 45-80) The first adventure Odysseus and his men experience after leaving Troy is with the Kikonens. The winds carry Odysseus and his men west from Troy. There are initially twelve boats in his fleet, with sixty men to a ship. This raiding party immediately attacks the first city that crosses their path. They hack down all the men, plunder the city for treasure, and enslave all the women they meet. The scene reflects the martial values of the Iliadic hero. The men cannot be controlled in their lust for blood and treasure. They foolishly get drunk and celebrate their victory instead of taking their booty and leaving. When word reaches the Kikonen's neighbors of what has happened, they gather and fall upon the revelling Greeks. Seventy-two men are killed as Odysseus and his men struggle to put their boats to sea and escape. What is the symbolic meaning of the storm which strikes Odysseus and his men after the pillage of Ismaros?(9. 80) A terrible storm blows Odysseus and his men past Cape Malea, the Southern tip of the Peloponneus and beyond Kythera, the last identifiable place on any map, and deep into dreamland. What is the symbolic meaning of Odysseus' episode among the Lotus Eaters (9. 80-115) Where are we? In Africa? Somewhere exotic. Folktales teach us that one's return home depends upon avoiding certain types of food. (Persephone must return to Hades each fall because she ate of the pomegranate seeds at Pluto's table. Those who eat of the Lotus blossoms give up all memory of home and long only to stay forever. How is the island of the Cyclops described? (8. 115-150) Odysseus doesn't mitigate his remarks although he knows of the Phaikians family relationship to Poseidon and the Cyclops. The island is supplied by nature with everything that might have been used to develop civilization: a good harbor, fresh water, fertile land, wild goats. However, there are no institutions of civilized life: no agorai (meeting places); there are no shipwrights (therefore no trade with other communities). In short this island is not being used properly by its uncivilized inhabitants. It is the perfect location for conquest and settlement by the Greeks.  What interpretation of the Cyclops story can be derived from considering the strange, nightmarish details Homer weaves into its fabric? (8. 260-620) If one looks at the peculiar details of the scene, one can compose an elaborate metaphorical response to the story. What should we make of: - the abundance of milk and cheese, lambs and kids within the cave - Polyphemus drunken lack of xenia: he likes to eat his guests instead of eating with them.  - the blinding of Polyphemus with what amounts to a sailing ship's mast - the escape of the sailors beneath and between the monsters' legs clutching the ram's bellies  - the ridiculous trick of Odysseus calling himself 'Noman' so that the Cyclops cries for help are ignored by his neighbors: "Nobody hurt me!" - the Cyclop's associations with Poseidon, the god of the sea  A Possible interpretation: Odysseus is rejecting the womb and triumphing over the huge forces of the sea- the force of nature that seeks to dissolve identity. Identifying the sea with the womb acknowledges the power of sexuality in our lives which we must master by trickery if we are to emerge fully into consciousness. Polyphemus is Posedion's son. A man with ship building skills overcomes the force of the ocean. Civilized man rebukes brute natural force which is blind, random and senseless. At least man makes sense. That is Odysseus' crime against Poseidon. He makes sense and the elements do not. To be truly born, born into manhood, means to cast one's name in the teeth of a savage universe. Polyphemus is a prehistoric man who personifies the blind power of human sexuality. The dawn of history occurs with man's emergence from the womb of goddess worship, with our rejection of divinity for heroic destiny as a mortal. The Odyssey Book Ten: The Bewitching Queen of Aeaea (Aeolus, Laestrygonians, Circe) Introduction: Book Ten has the same form as Book nine. Two short incidents are followed by a major encounter. What is the symbolic meaning of the Aeolus story? (10.1-90) Consider the elements of the tale: - Aeolus, the ruler of the winds, lives on a floating island in a community where brothers marry sisters. - In response to Odysseus request for help, Aeolus gives the hero a magic way to get home if only he can keep it secret from his men. He lashes all the storm winds in a bull's hide sewn from neck to tail in a mighty bag. - Odysseus tries to stay awake the whole journey home because he is afraid that if he falls asleep, his men will want to see what treasure Aeolus gave their captain. - The ships have come within sight of the fires on the island of Ithaca when Odysseus' men untie the hide, and the storm winds escape. In an instant a hurricane blows the ships all the way back to Aeolus' island. - Odysseus is so upset that he considers committing suicide by jumping off his boat in the middle of the ocean. - When Odysseus bluntly explains what happened to Aeolus, the god brusquely turns away. Here is a man unfavored by the gods.  What should we make of the details of Odysseus' disastrous encounter with the Laestrygonians? (10. 90-150) Consider the details of the story: - the Laestrygonians live in a land far to the north - Their world is civilized: there is a beautiful harbor, lumber roads, glorious homes, assemblies, and communities. It's all very Greek.  - Even so, Odysseus anchors his boat well clear of the harbor beyond a cliff. - The princess drawing water welcomes the men. She seems lovely and kind, yet she leads Odysseus' men into a trap. - The men lured into the hall are killed instantly, torn to bits and consumed. The King of the Laestrygonians utters a terrible cry and giants ambush the fleeing men, sinking their boats, and skewering them like fish. - Odysseus orders the crewmen in his boat to pull at the oars for their very lives. His ship alone escapes. Nearly five hundred men are left behind to meet their grisly fates. "Run away!" Unpack the meaning of Odysseus encounter with the Goddess Circe (10. 150-520). Consider the details of the story: - Odysseus arrives at Circe's island at his lowest point yet: he has considered suicide after glimpsing home and then being blown around the world; he barely escaped with his life from the Laestrygonians and lost nearly all his men. When they land on the island, he and his men do nothing for two days. - Odysseus kills a buck and feeds his men. They rally the courage to go on.  - The men are terrified when they see puffs of smoke in the distance. That means the land is inhabited. - The men draw lots and Eurylokhos is chosen to lead a contingent to explore the island. When they draw near Circe's palace, they are greeted by the strangest sight: mountain wolves and lions behaving like domesticated pets! - The beautiful goddess Circe welcomes the men into her palace and feeds them a sumptuous meal. However, the witch drugs the wine with a magic potion which turns the men into swine. (They still have the minds of men!)Circe brandishes her magic wand and drives the transformed men into pig-stys. - Eurylokhos escapes and breathlessly tells Odysseus the horrible story. Odysseus determines to go on to Circe's palace alone to try to rescue his men. - Hermes appears to Odysseus while enroute to the palace and gives him a gift: the moly plant. Hermes explains that the charm of this plant will protect him from Circe's magic. He also advises Odysseus not to decline her amorous offers. - Odysseus successfully resists Circe's magic and then she takes him to bed. Odysseus refuses to eat from her table before she has sworn not to work any further enchantment. He insists that she release all of his men from bondage. - Odysseus seems to succomb to Circe's magic. When he talks to his crewemates on the beach, he seems drugged. Circe invites Odysseus and his company to stay with her, and Odysseus agrees. He spends a whole year with the Goddess and only at the insistence of his crew-mates is he convinced to finally leave. - Odysseus supplicates Circe to let him go, and she relents. She tells him that he must visit Hades first and hear a prophecy from the ghost of Teiresias if he hopes to find his way home. - The episode ends with the death of Elpenor. He falls off the roof and breaks his neck. No one notices. Odysseus will not even know that he is gone until he encounters Elpenor's shade in Hades.