Odyssey Book 10

What is the structure of Book 10?

Two short episodes, followed by a longer tale which dominates.

What is the name of the island Odysseus and his crew arrive at the beginning of the book? Who is it home to?

Aeolia, home to Aeolus son of Hippotas.

What does the name Aeolus mean? Why is this ironic?

It means changeful which is ironic considering he changes his mind on Odysseus

How long does Odysseus and his crew stay on Aeolia? What is this a example of?

They stay for a whole month and are entertained by Aeolus.

This is a key example of Xenia.

How is the island of Aeolia described?

Wealthy, secluded and civilised.

What does Aeolus gift Odysseus before he leaves?

As an example of Xenia and goodwill he gifts Odysseus a leather bag containing all the winds (which Zeus had given him power over) → He is a favourite of the gods

What did Aeolus also summon to help Odysseus?

He called for a breeze from the West to blow Odysseus’ ships across the sea.

How long did Odysseus sail for before something hindered their journey?

9 days

What happened on their 10th day of sailing? What is this an example of?

Odysseus falls asleep and his crew open the bag of wind since they are jealous of Odysseus thinking it contains treasure. The storm released drives Odysseus and his men back to Aeolia.

This is an example of Atasthalia and growing tensions between Odysseus and his crew.

How does Aeolus react to Odysseus asking for help a second time? Give a quote

Aeolus refuses and demands them to leave because he believes Odysseus must be hated by the gods.

‘Your returning like this shows they detest you. Get out!’

After 6 days of sailing where do Odysseus and his crew arrive on the 7th?

The land of the Laestrygonians

How many ships moor in the harbour? What does Odysseus do?

11 ships moor in the harbour but Odysseus’ hangs back. → There are 12 ships in his fleet.

Odysseus hanging back is a sign of his foresight (or luck?)

How is the land of the Laestrygonians described?

There is no cultivated fields or cattle → A sign of an uncivilised civilisation

What happens to the messengers who Odysseus sends inland to find the inhabitants of the island?

One of them is seized by the king (Antiphates) who eats him. The Laestrygonians are discovered to be barbaric cannibals.

How is Antiphates wife described? Give a quote

‘A woman of mountainous proportions’

What happens after the messenger is eaten?

Antiphates raises a cry through the town and the rest of Laestrygonians then attack the ships in the harbour and kill Odysseus’ men.

How many ships from Odysseus’ crew escape the Laestrygonians?

Odysseus’ ship alone survives reducing his fleet from 12 ships to 1.

What island do they reach after the Laestrygonians? Who lives here?

They sail to the island of Aegean, home of Circe (a goddess).

How long did Odysseus’ men lay on the beach of Aeaea, exhausted?

2 days

What did Odysseus do on the third day of being on Circe’s island?

He went inland to try and find civilisation and saw Circe’s home but decided smartly not to approach without his men.

He managed to capture a deer for his men to feast on. → Good leadership skills

What did Odysseus instruct his crew to do in his rallying speech? What was their mood like?

He told them of the home he saw inland and divided his crew into two parties- the one under the leadership of Eurylochus is sent to investigate Circe’s house.

The crew are still grieving over the men lost to the Laestrygonians and the Cyclops.

What animals were surrounding the house?

Mountain wolves and lions that Circe had bewitched

What is Circe doing before they enter the home?

She is singing with a beautiful voice and weaving on her loom.

What does Eurylochus do as they approach Circe’s home?

While the rest of the men called out to Circe, Eurylochus chose to stay outside suspecting a trap.

What happens when Circe invites them in?

She prepares them a meal and asks them to sit down but the food has been poisoned with a drug that makes them forget their native land.

She then cast a spell on them with her which turns them into pigs but they still had the minds of men. She then leads them away to a sty with her stick.

What does Eurylochus do after witnessing the men turn to pigs?

He returns distraught to tell Odysseus what has happened.

How does Odysseus react to Eurylochus’ news?

Brave Odysseus prepares his weapons and asks Eurylochus to take them there, but Eurylochus begs that they don’t go because it is dangerous. But Odysseus must and sets off alone.

Who does Odysseus meet on his way to Circe’s home? What does he advise Odysseus?

Hermes who tells Odysseus how to overcome Circe’s charms. He tells Odysseus that when Circe strikes him with her stick he must draw his sword as though to kill her. She will then invite Odysseus to her bed and he must not refuse BUT he must make her swear a solemn oath not to trick him or he will be robbed of his manhood.

Hermes also gives Odysseus moly, a drug that will make him immune to Circe’s potion.

What happens when Odysseus reaches Circe’s home?

She invites him in and tries to weave her magic, but to no effect- the moly is doing its work. He then threatens her to promise no more mischief. Then it bed, after which Odysseus is bathed by Circe’s maids. But he is still glum

What does Odysseus ask Circe to do?

He asks her to restore his men which she does with another magic ointment.

What does Circe invite Odysseus and his crew to do? How do they react?

She invites the men to stay on the island. Odysseus returns to his ship to break the news to his men who are delighted to see him BUT Eurylochus remains concerned and questions Odysseus’ leadership after what happened on the island of the Cyclopes.

Finish the quote: Description of Odysseus’ reunion with his crew

‘It was like the scene at a farm when cows in a drove come home full-fed….’

‘….from the pastures to the yard and are welcomed by all their frisking calves’

Finish the quote: Eurylochus speaking about Odysseus

‘It was this man’s….’

‘….reckless folly that cost them their lives’

How did Odysseus react to Eurylochus’ lack of trust for him?

Odysseus is angry and goes to draw his sword but is stopped by his men.

How long do Odysseus and his men stay on Circe’s island?

A whole year

What does Circe tell Odysseus he must do when he leaves the island?

She tells Odysseus that he must go to Hades and seek out Teiresias (the renowned, but now dead, blind seer of Thebes) and obtain directions. Odysseus is distraught- how will he get there? Circe tells him.

What happens to Elpenor, a member of Odysseus’ crew, at the end of the book?

As the crew is preparing to leave Elpenor, had been sleeping off a hangover on Circe’s roof. Hearing the noise, he wakes but as he did so, he lost his bearings and crashed to the ground, breaking his neck… but for now his death goes unnoticed.

Scholarly Quote:

How does Adrian Kelly described Circe?

‘a temptress’