The Odyssey Bk11-24 Flashcards
What does Hermes give to Circe?
Moly- An antidote to Circes drug (looks like a milk white flower with black root)
How is Hermes related to O?
O’s great grandfather- Odyssues’ grandfather from Anticleia (his mum) called Autolykus was a famous thief
What happens between Circe and O?
She becomes O’s lover and offers Xenia (rubs oil, clothed him in tunic)
How does O show his kleos when with Circe?
Says- “how can any honourable man bear to eat before freeing his men”. — Circe then frees his men
Who argues with Odysseus’ suggestion to stay with Circe?
Eurolychus says (“it was this mans reckless folly!)
How long does Odysseus stay with Circe?
1 Year
Why does O leave Circe?
He actually wants to stay but his companions convince him to leave to continue the journey- ironic as the companions are YEARNING OUT OF NOSTOS
How must Odysseus get back home and who tells him this?
Circe says that O must travel to the underworld and meet Tiresias (a blind prophet) who will tell him how
What happens to 1 of the comrades before they leave?
Elpenor gets drunk, goes to the roof, falls off the roof and breaks his neck= bad omen? no kleos?
What does Tiresias tell Odysseus?
They mustn’t slaughter/harm the cattle of Helios or else all the comrades will die
Who does Odysseus meet at the Underworld?
Agamemnon- tells story of death by Clymentstra
Achilles- is discontent in the underworld
Elpenor- asks for a proper burial in Aeaea
Anticleia(mum)- tells him how she died of grief
Ajax- refuses to speak to O
What does Achilles say in the Underworld?
“I would rather work as a serf on hire to a landless impoverished peasant than be king of the dead”= Juxtaposition between serf// king— He chose fame and an early death, and now says he regrets the decision. Almost an encouragement to O to stay alive
What happens in BK12?
Circe provides supplies. Odysseus then has to tackle the sirens (whose singing lures people to lose sanity). Homer does this to touch on mankind’s irresistible and deadly appeal.
What do the sirens create/ represent?
Pure, unmotivated desire to have no desire of nostos= selfish and dishonourable/ lack of self restraint
How does Circe resolve the sirens temptation?
Tells the comrades to put beeswax BUT knows Odysseus doesn’t want to so makes the comrades tie him back tightly and keep him secur— he is almost driven mad by his desire to submit!
Who is Scylla?
A 6 headed monster who eats 6 sailors/comrades via each head
Who is Charybdis?
An enormous whirlpool that threatens to swallow the entire ship
What does Circe tell Odysseus to do?
Tells Odysseus to sail his ship past Scylla and sacrifice 6 men rather than all men and sinking— therefore 6 men die
Where is Thrinacia?
Land of the sun god Helios
What happens at Thrincia?
The men want to stop and Eurylochus convinces Odysseus to let the stay since they have a ton of supplies left. BUT a storm keeps them for a month and they eventually slaughter the cattle as per Eurylochus’ say and die as Zeus causes a storm— Odysseus reaches at Ogyia where he spends his 7 years
What do the Phaecians do for O?
Alcinous loads his gifts on board the ship that will carry Odysseus to Ithaca. Odysseus sets sail and he sleeps the whole night, while the Phaeacian crew commands the ship. The crew gently carries him and his gifts to shore and then sails for home
What does Poseidon do to the Phaeacians?
Poseidon spots Odysseus in Ithaca, he becomes enraged at the Phaeacians for not assisting his nemesis. He complains to Zeus, who allows him to punish the Phaeacians. Just as their ship is pulling into harbour at Scheria, the ship suddenly turns to stone and sinks to the bottom of the sea
Who does Odysseus meet when he awakens in Ithaca?
Athena (disguised)
What does Athena say to Odysseus?
Athena announces that it is time for Odysseus to use his wits to punish the suitors. She tells him to hide out in the hut of his swineherd, Eumaeus. She informs him that Telemachus has gone in search of news of him and gives him the appearance of an old vagabond (tramp)