The Odyssey Book 12 Study Guide
Name_______________________________ Period______
Book XII: Sea Perils and Defeat (Pages 209-225)
Odysseus is still telling Alkinoos about his journeys.
Places:
Aiaia: Kirke’s island
Thrinakia: where Helios’s cattle graze
People/Gods
Seirenes: sing, lure men to their island
Skylla: 6 headed monster
Kharybdis: drinks and vomits the sea
Helios: God of the sun
Eurylokhos: crewmate of Odysseus
Questions
1. Lady Kirke warns Odysseus about the Seirenes (Sirens). What will happen if he and his men
listen? What should they do to avoid succumbing to the Seirenes? (210-211)
2. What are the dangers of the Prowling Rocks or Drifters? (211)
3. What are the dangers of Skylla? (212)
4. What are the dangers of Kharybdis? (212)
5. What does Lady Kirke warn Odysseus about Thrinakia? (213)
6. What does Odysseus do that shows his leadership skills on pages 216-217? (at least two)
7. In the epic simile on page 218 (lines 324-330), to what is Skylla compared?
8. Odysseus’s leadership is challenged on page 219. Explain what happens.
9. What is Eurylokhos’s argument or justification for killing the animals? (221)
Do you sympathize with him? Why or why not?
10. How does Zeus punish the men? (223)
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The Odyssey Book 12 Study Guide
“Siren Song” by Margaret Atwood
“Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby”
(as performed by Allison Krauss, Gillian Welch and Emmylou
Harris in “O Brother, Where Art Thou”)
This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible:
the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see beached skulls
the song nobody knows
because anyone who had heard it
is dead, and the others can’t remember.
Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?
I don’t enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythical
with these two feathery maniacs,
I don’t enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.
I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song
is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique
at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.
Go to sleep you little baby
Go to sleep you little baby
Your momma´s gone away and your daddy´s gone to stay
Didn´t leave nobody but the baby
Go to sleep you little baby
Go to sleep you little baby
Everybody´s gone in the cotton and the corn
Didn´t leave nobody but the baby
You´re sweet little baby
You´re sweet little baby
Honey in the rock and the sugar don´t stop
Gonna bring a bottle to the baby
Don´t you weep pretty baby
Don´t you weep pretty baby
She´s long gone with the red shoes on
Gonna meet another lovin' baby
Go to sleep you little baby
Go to sleep you little baby
You and me and the devil makes three
Don´t need no other lovin' baby
Go to sleep you little baby
Go to sleep you little baby
Come and lay your bones on the alabaster stones
And be my ever lovin' baby
Discussion Questions for “Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby”
1. What images come to mind as you listen to this song?
2. Mark descriptions of the sirens in your text. What are we led to expect from them?
3. Do the melody and the voices fit the role of this song as the sirens’ song?
4. Do the lyrics fit the role of this song as the sirens’ song? Why or why not?
5. Do you think this is a good choice for the sirens’ song overall? Why do you think the filmmakers
chose this particular song?
6. What other songs (or types of music) can you imagine filling this role?
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