The Odyssey-Book Ten

Book Ten

Odysseus continues to tell his story. After the whole Cyclops episode, Odysseus and his men sail to yet another island. Here they meet Aeolus who rules the winds. He gives them great hospitality, and then sends them on their way home to Ithica with a bag full of all the wind types incase Odysseus would be in need of it. Odysseus’ ship leaves for Ithica and when Ithica finally comes into view, sleep overtakes Odysseus. His men are certain that Aeolus gave Odysseus gold and riches in the bag. Since Odysseus is sleeping, the crew opens up the bad and lets all the wind out at once which forms a great storm that blows their ship back to Aeolus. Odysseus is disheartened and asks help from Aeolus again, but Aeolus is convinced the gods are against Odysseus and therefore, will not help him any further and sends him on his way abruptly. Odysseus and his men then sail to the land of the giants who make an immediate dinner out of the men Odysseus sent to check out the place. Odysseus and his men try to leave the place immediately, but are attacked by giants, and the only ship that survives the attack is Odysseus’ ship. After that, Odysseus’ one ship arrives at the land of the witch-goddess Circe. Odysseus sends scouts to check the island out, but they drink a drugged drink that Circe gave to them, and they begin to turn into pigs. Odysseus hearing of this happening by Eurylochus, (who knew his fellow men were walking into a trap and went back to the ship instead of joining them in Circe’s house) decides to go try and get his men back. Eurylochus is against going back, and Odysseus tells him that if he doesn’t want to go along, then he can stay and guard the ship. Eurylochus ends up going along instead of staying behind alone. On the way to Circe, Odysseus meets Hermes who informs him of all the dangers that lie ahead in Circe’s house and what he must do to save himself and his men. He tells Odysseus that he must eat this special herb called “moly” before drinking Circe’s drugged drink, and that will keep him from turning into a pig. Then when she tries to stab him with her sword, he is to jump at her as if to attack and take her by surprise. Odysseus does all of these things, and Circe is surprised that her drugged drink didn’t work on Odysseus. She swears a might oath not to harm Odysseus and sets his men free. They return to their human form, younger and more handsome than ever. Odysseus then beds with Circe and stays with her for a year. After a year has passed, Odysseus’ men want to go home to Ithica and persuade Odysseus to leave as well. They all leave the next morning, and leave behind Elpenor who was passed out on Circe’s roof and fell to the ground the morning of their departure, breaking his neck. Odysseus tells his men of the specific pathway they must take in order to get home. They are to go to Hades and Persephone and see Tiresias of Thebes.