Land of the Cyclopes:
I wonder what kind of pact the cyclopes made with the Gods so that Zeus would rain down magic fertile water to keep the crops ever-growing. Because honestly, that would be a pretty handy thing for us humans to have.
Prisoners of the Cyclopes:
I’ve read in the myths that when drinking wine, it was to be mixed with water so that the drinker would not become so quickly intoxicated. I think that would be a good practice to bring back for a lot of college parties.
This story is reading a lot like with Jack and the Beanstalk, but much more violent. Odysseus seems to be losing more and more of his men with each adventure. I appreciate his foresight, though, in waiting to try and kill the Cyclops the next day instead of right then and there.
The Cyclops defeated:
Good thing Odysseus still had all that potent wine to drug the Cyclops with. And clever of him to give him the name nobody!
The Cyclopes advise Polyphemus to pray to their father Poseidon? Maybe Poseidon made his children go live on an island far from mortal men so that they wouldn’t war and convinced Zeus somehow to give them fertile rain. Interesting.
Escape from the Cyclops:
Odysseus taunts too much. His ship could have been crushed from just one jest. Also, Cyclopes must have great hearing to be able to land a rock so accurately from that far away.
The Curse of Polyphemus:
What’s the point of having a God for a father if they can’t curse your enemies for you? I’m curious if he ever had his eye healed by poseidon.
Circe, also a character in the Marvel Universe
Image: Wikipedia
Circe’s Magic:
I don’t understand why Odysseus keeps urging his men to go into danger. They obviously don’t want to investigate the smoke in the woods, and with good reason. I’d be terrified if my last venture had ended in 90% of my shipmates being slaughtered.
Ah, but it appears men will not be a suspicious of a woman. Eurylochus is wise to have abstained from entering her home. Why didn’t Odysseus go with his men if he was so eager to know what was there?
How kind of Hermes to offer help. I would think Odysseus would be more suspicious of him though, because Hermes is often depicted as a trickster God.
Moly Defeats Circe:
This wicked goddess just keeps trying to take and take, but Odysseus is having none of it. Good for him. At least he got her to free his men before succumbing to her wily ways.
On Circe’s Island:
I think Eurylochus has the right idea in still being distrustful of Circe, but I’d be tempted by the thought of a warm bed and food after so many years wandering at sea.
At least this time it’s not a trap. It’s more like a vacation from weariness and despair. I’m glad Circe’s a woman of her word.
Death of Elpenor:
Wow, is there anywhere Odysseus can land his men where at least one of them won’t die? Seriously. At least this death wasn’t as gruesome as the others.
And Odysseus has misled his men again about where they’re going. Surprise, there. It’s like going shopping with one of your really energetic friends and, just when you think you’re about to go home, they say you’re going to yet another store with them. I’d be upset, too.
Read the Odyssey here!
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