Skip to main content

What does Circe warn Odysseus of before they embark on the ill-fated voyage in The Odyssey?

Circe warns Odysseus that their journey will only be able to continue if they go to the halls of Hades, where he must consult with the spirit of Teiresias of Thebes.


In Book X, after fleeing Lamos, the land of the giant Laistrygonians, Odysseus and his men arrive on the island of Circe. After making a random selection, Odysseus sends some of his men, who are both reluctant and frightened, to search around. Under the...

Circe warns Odysseus that their journey will only be able to continue if they go to the halls of Hades, where he must consult with the spirit of Teiresias of Thebes.


In Book X, after fleeing Lamos, the land of the giant Laistrygonians, Odysseus and his men arrive on the island of Circe. After making a random selection, Odysseus sends some of his men, who are both reluctant and frightened, to search around. Under the command of Eurylochus, they investigate the island. The men soon hear Circe at her loom, singing. Polites tells the others that somebody inside is either a god or a woman, adding, "Then let us quickly call." When they do so, Circe comes to the shining doors and invites them in. All except the cautious Eurylochus enter, and Circe offers them a feast. When they finish eating, however, she takes a magic wand and turns the men into swine and pens them. Having witnessed the men's fates, Eurylochus hurries back to tell Odysseus. 


Odysseus hurries to the men. Fortunately, on his way he is aided by Hermes, who gives him a potent herb that will protect him. Odysseus is further given instructions by the god on what to do when he encounters Circe. Odysseus follow these instructions, which include bedding Circe, but making her swear an oath beforehand that she will not plot against him. Afterwards, Circe turns the men back, and they look healthier than ever. Then, Odysseus returns and tells the other men that Circe wants them all to beach their ships and return to her. Eurylochus almost comes to blows with Odysseus because he refuses to obey; however, the others follow Odysseus. They remain on the island of Circe for a year.
Finally, Odysseus's "trusty comrades" suggest that they return to the native land. Odysseus goes to Circe and asks her, "Circe, fulfill the promise made to send me home, for now my spirit stirs...." But, as he asks, Odysseus cries because he does not know how to find his way: "But, Circe, who will be my pilot...?"


Circe then instructs Odysseus to beach his ship by the eddies of the Ocean-stream and go to the "mouldering house of Hades." There he must sacrifice a sheep to the spirit of Teiresias. She tells Odysseus, 



"...he will tell your course, the stages of your journey, and of your homeward way, how you may pass along the swarming sea."



When Odysseus must tell his men that they are not going directly home, but must first visit Hades, the land of the dead, they pull their hair in anguish and weep.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more