Book 9 Flashcards
To whom is Odysseus telling his Story?
The Phaeacians
What is the land of the Phaeacians called?
Scheria or Scherie
What is Odysseus’ reason for telling his tale?
Although reluctant, Odysseus wants more food and wine, so attempts to charm King Alcinous with his story.
What is the name of Odysseus’ home and what is the landmark of this place?
Ithaca. “Mount Neriton with its quivering leaves”
What direction does Ithaca face and what other islands surround it?
“Slanting West.” Wooded Zacynthus and Same
When he left Troy, where did Odysseus go first?
Ismarus, city of the Cicones.
What did he do in Ismarus?
Sacked it and divided up the riches and women so everyone would get their share.
Odysseus men decided to stay and celebrate in Ismarus. What happens to them the next day?
They are attacked by Cicones, their inland neighbours.
How many men died in the ensuing battle?
“Six strong-greaved comrades from each ship”
For how many days did Odysseus sail through the storm, and where did he end up?
10 days (rested on days 1 and 2). On the 10th they reached the land of the lotus eaters.
What happened in the land of the lotus eaters?
Odysseus sent 3 men (2 for the duty, 1 as a herald) to find what men lived there. The locals gave them a “honeyed fruit” which made them lose all “thoughts of return”. Odysseus used force to return them to the ships and sailed away.
What was special about the land of the cyclopes?
They could yield any crop during any season, without planting any seeds. The produce was generous. They had no assemblies to make laws but lived in caves where they make their own rules.
What is near the Island of the cyclopes?
A “luxuriant” Island which had “innumerable goats”
What does Odysseus and his men do on Goat Island?
They hunt goats. 10 are allotted to him during the feasting
When Odysseus visits the Island of the Cyclopes, what is the short story he talks about?
Maron, son of Euanthes, priest of Apollo. When sacking Ismarus, Odysseus protected him and his family out of respect for his office. He lived in a wooded sacred grove. In return, Maron gave Odysseus strong wine. The wine was to be drunk with 20 cups of water to counteract it’s effects.
What does Odysseus do whilst waiting for The cyclopes?
Makes an offering to the Gods and feasts on the Cyclope’s cheese
Who is the Cyclops and what does he do when he sees Odysseus?
It is the Cyclops Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon. Polyphemus makes a show of hospitality at first, but he soon turns hostile. He devours two of Odysseus’s men on the spot and imprisons Odysseus and the rest in his cave for future meals.
What is Odysseus’ plan to escape Polyphemus?
He hardens a stout olive branch in the fire and then when Polyphemus arrives he gets him drunk on Maron’s wine and tells Polyphemus his name is nobody.
What happens after Polyphemus passes out?
Odysseus and his men stick the wooden staff in Polyphemus’ eye and when he cries out for help he says nobody is killing him, so the other cyclops’ think he is OK.
When Polyphemus takes his sheep out in the morning, how does OD escape?
He and his men cling to the underside of 3 sheep each so that none of them will be felt by Polyphemus.
Once on board his ship, what does Odysseus do?
He calls out to Polyphemus revealing his true name and Polyphemus cries in anguish as an ancient prophecy has come true. Odysseus then taunts Polyphemus.
What is Polyphemus’ response?
He throws 2 rocks at Odysseus but in failing he prays to his father Poseidon that Odysseus will never reach home. “But if he is destined to reach home … let him come late, in wretched plight, having lost all his comrades, in a foreign ship.”
