Book 12 Flashcards
On returning to Circe what did Odysseus have to do?
Fetch the dead body of Elpenor. They then had to perform the funeral rights. They burnt him along with his armour. They built a barrow for him and a monument so he’d get to the underworld safely.
What did Circe say about the sirens?
They bewitch everybody who approached them.
After telling him about the sirens what did she say?
He must make a choice.
What is the choice Odysseus must make?
Either go down a route with sheer cliffs where only one wan has ever escaped or go the route towards Scylla.
What happens if he goes towards Scylla?
He would lose six men, but that is better than his whole crew.
What else does Circe tell him about?
The sun god’s cattle.
What does she say will happen to the men if they hurt the cattle?
His ship will be destroyed along with his company.
What does she say will happen if he leaves the cattle alone?
They will have some chance of reaching Ithaca.
What does Odysseus tell his men about the sirens?
That their voices lure men onto their island.
Why does Odysseus tell his men about the sirens?
He confides in them because last time they opened the bag of winds and they were blown all the way back.
How does Odysseus prevent his men hearing the sirens?
He puts wax in their ears.
However who didn’t he put wax in?
Himself as he wanted to hear the sirens.
What do his men do to prevent him escaping?
They tie him to the mast, so he can still hear but can’t escape.
Why are the songs attractive to Odysseus?
They say they can make him a wiser man. They also compliment him and they know what happened at Troy.
As the men sail away what are they scared by and why?
They see a cloud of spume ahead and a raging surf, all of which could cause a shipwreck.
How does Odysseus encourage his men as they approach Scylla and Charybdis?
He reminds them that they have survived and of how he saved them from the Cyclopes.
