Circe
KIR kee
The Dread Goddess
Circe or (Kirke) is the daughter of Helios (The Sun) and Perseis (the
daughter of Okeanos).
On her island... in her palace... Circe waits for lost sailors to come
wandering to her door as supplicants. Normally, a traveler is treated as a
special guest but with Circe, travelers are drugged and then served as
dinner.
Odysseus and his desperate crew went ashore on the island of Aiaia
hoping to find food and water. Odysseus sent twenty three men to explore
the island but only one returned. As the men walked from the beach they
could hear sweet singing from Circe’s home in a forest glen. Wild lions
and wolves (drugged by Circe) came, wagging their tails, to greet the
strangers. They were charmed by her beauty and drank the potions she
offered as refreshment. As Circe’s vile drugs took effect, the once valiant
men began to change shape and were soon fully transformed into swine.
Circe herded them into pens and threw pig food on the ground before
them.
The sole survivor, Eurylochos, ran back to Odysseus and urged that
they set sail immediately. He told the story of the evil goddess and how
they would all be turned into swine if they dared to stay on that
dangerous island (his warnings unfortunately took on the aire of
cowardice... Odysseus almost killed him for it). Odysseus was not afraid.
He would not leave his men as swine and he would not risk any of the
other men in a fight with Circe. Odysseus went to Circe’s palace alone.
Along the trail, Odysseus met Hermes in the guise of a young man.
Hermes told Odysseus that he could entrap Circe and free his
companions if he obeyed the gods orders. Hermes reached down and
pulled a plant called ’moly’ from the ground and explained that mere
mortals found it difficult to dig-up but he, as a god, could do all things.
Odysseus took the ’good medicine’ and went boldly into Circe’s house.
She welcomed him as another victim and gave him her vile potions but
the ’good medicine’ gave Odysseus protection. When Circe thought the
drugs had taken effect, she struck Odysseus with her wand. The wand was
supposed to complete the transformation process but Odysseus drew his
sword and sprang upon her. The astonished Circe surrendered instantly.
She released the twenty two pig-men and ceremoniously anointed them
with another one of her potions. The men were restored to their original
forms but they were taller and more handsome than before they had been
enswined.
To show her good faith, Circe opened her doors to the dispirited
sailors and gave them every comfort she could offer. After the entire crew
had been rested and nourished, Circe told Odysseus that his journey
would now take him to the House of Hades. He must consult with the
soul of Teiresias the Theban to find out how he may finally appease
Poseidon and return to his home.
After seeing the soul of Teiresias the Theban, Odysseus returned to
Aiaia. Circe bid him a final goodbye and told him how to safely sail past
the island of the Sirens, the six headed Skylla and the monster Charybdis.
Circe and Odysseus had two children, Agrios and Latinos. (Theogony,
1010).
Copyright 1996-1998 X. All Rights Reserved.
When Ulysses sailed forth from conquered Troy to return to his native Ithaca, he was
blown off course by the winds and borne towards the shore of Thrace, the land of the
Ciconians. He captured their city Ismaros, because the Ciconians were enemies of the
Achaeans and allies of Troy. Maronas, priest of Apollo, was saved and presented Ulysses
with various gifts and fragrant muscat wine, which Homer's hero later used to make the
Cyclop Polyphemus drunk. The Ciconians then rallied, vanquishing Ulysses and his
companions who took to their ships and sailed into the open sea, homeward bound for
Ithaca.
The Odyssey
Main Human Characters
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Odysseus - The Odyssey is the story of his journey home from the Trojan war. He
i5 brave, loyal, and above all else clever. He is the king of Ithaca.
Penelope - The faithful, loyal wife of Odysseus. She patiently waits 20 years for
his return. She is Homer's example of the perfect Greek wife and mother.
Telemachus- Son of Odysseus and Penelope. He was only an infant when his
father left to fight in Troy. The Odyssey is also a story about Telemachus' journey
to manhood.
Minor Human Characters
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Antinous- The evil leader of the suitors. He is the first one Odysseus kills
Eumaeus - A servant of Odysseus. He has remained loyal to Odysseus throughout
his master's twenty year absence. He and Philoetius help Odysseus fight the
suitors.
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Eurycleia- An old woman servant who was a devoted nurse to both Odysseus and
Telemachus.
Eurymachus- A suitor. He is an evil coward. He tries to blame Antinous for all the
suitors actions. Eurymachus is the second suitor killed by Odysseus.
Irus- The favorite beggar of the suitors. He is cruel to Odysseus when Odysseus is
disguised as a beggar.
Laertes - Odysseus' father. He lives on a farm some distance from Odysseus
palace.
Melantho - A servant girl. She has been disloyal to Odysseus in his absence by
becoming the mistress of Eurymachus.
Melanthius- A servant of Odysseus who has betrayed him in his absence by
assisting the suitors.
Menelaus- King of Sparta. He was a comrade of Odysseus during the Trojan war.
It was the abduction of his wife, Helen, that caused the war.
Nestor- King of Pylos. He fought at Troy with Odysseus. He is known for his
wise counsel.
Philoetlus A loyal servant to Odysseus. He and Eumaeus help Odysseus fight the
suitors.
Tiresias- A famous, deceased Greek prophet. Odysseus goes to Hades to consult
his spirit.
Gods Who Help Odysseus
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Athena- Goddess of wisdom. She comes to Odysseus' aid by intervening with the
other gods to bring Poseidon into line and let Odysseus go home.
Hermes- Messenger of the gods. He is sent by Zeus to order Calypso to release
Odysseus. He, also, guides the souls of the suitors to Hades.
Zeus- King of all the gods. He is the keeper of Fate. He lets Athena assist
Odysseus.
Gods and Others Who Impede The Journey Home
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Aeolus- Keeper of the winds. He places all of the bad winds in a bag and gives
them to Odysseus. Ithaca is within sight when the ship's crew lets the winds out
and the ship is blown far away by the storms within the bag.
Calypso- A beautiful sea nymph who tries to make Odysseus her husband. She
holds him captive for nine years. Calypso offers Odysseus immortality if he will
stay with her.
Charybdis - A violent whirlpool. It destroys all ships that get caught in home by
boat, having this god angry at you is not a good idea!
Circe - When Odysseus' crew meets her, she turns them; into pigs. Odysseus
becomes her lover, and she later helps him on his journey home.
Helios - God of the Sun. Odysseus earns his wrath when his crew eats some of
Helios' sacred cattle.
Lotus-Eaters - A people who eat the Lotus plant, a narcotic.
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Polyphemus - Son of Poseidon. He is one of the Cyclops (one eyed giants).
Odysseus blinds him.
Poseidon - God of the Sea. He seeks revenge on Odysseus for injuring his son,
Polyphemus. When you have to travel home by boat, having this god angry at you
in not a good idea!
Scylla - A six headed monster that Odysseus must go by to get home. She eats six
of his men (one for each head).
Sirens - These beautiful maidens lure sailors to their deaths with an irresistible
song. Odysseus fills his crew's ears with wax to save them from temptation.
Plot Summary of THE ODYSSEY
Book I - A Goddess Intervenes
All the survivors of the Trojan War have returned home except Odysseus. He is currently
being detained by Calypso, a sea nymph, who wishes to make Odysseus her husband.
Odysseus has experienced many difficulties in returning home because Poseidon, god of
the sea, is angry at him.
At a council, called by Zeus, all the gods have assembled. Athena petitions her father,
Zeus, to help Odysseus return home. This is done in the absence of Poseidon who is away
at a banquet. Athena requests that Hermes be sent to order Calypso to release Odysseus.
Athena then disguises herself and goes to see Odysseus' son, Telemachus.
Odysseus' home is overrun with suitors seeking to marry his wife, Penelope. The suitors
are constantly feasting and gorging themselves at the expense of Odysseus' household.
Athena tells Telemachus that his father is not dead, and he will return home. She
encourages Telemachus to assert himself as a man, tell the suitors to leave, and
recommends he seek out information about his father.
Book II - A Hero's Son Awakens
Telemachus calls an assembly of the men of Ithaca. It is the first assembly that has been
called since Odysseus left. Telemachus announces that he will tolerate the suitors no
longer, and states that if he were powerful enough he would punish them.
The suitors refuse to leave until Penelope selects one of them. Telemachus states that he
will go seek news of Odysseus. If he discovers his father is dead, he will force Penelope
to choose another husband.
With Athena's help, Telemachus assembles a crew, and after loading a ship with supplies,
he sets sail to Pylos.
Book III - Telemachus Meets Nestor
After arriving at Pylos, Telemachus explains to Nestor the reason for his journey. Nestor
tells Telemachus of the last days of the Trojan war. He, also, tells him that he last saw
Odysseus on his ship heading for home. Since he has no recent information, Nestor
suggests Telemachus go speak with Menelaus in Sparta.
Book IV - The Visit To Sparta
When Telemachus arrives in Sparta a wedding feast is going on for King Menelaus son
and daughter, so he is unable to speak to Menelaus until the next day.
Menelaus is upset to hear of the conditions on Ithaca. He informs Telemachus that he
heard Odysseus is alive but is being help captive by Calypso.
Meanwhile, in Ithaca the suitors have found out Telemachus has set sail. They plot to
ambush him while he is at sea and kill him.
Book V - Calypso Sets Odysseus Free
Athena, once again, asks the gods at assembly to help Odysseus. Zeus sends Hermes to
deliver the message to Calypso that she must release Odysseus.
She helps Odysseus leave by providing him with a small boat.
While Odysseus is at sea, Poseidon returns from Ethiopia. When he sees Odysseus he
gets very angry and starts up a violent storm. Odysseus' boat is destroyed, and he is left
clinging to a small piece of wreckage. With the help of Athena he is able to reach the
island of Scheria, which is the home of the Phaeacians.
Books VI, VII and VIII - The Phaeacians Help
The Phaeacian king and Queen extend to Odysseus their hospitality. They provide
assistance to help him on his journey home. While at a banquet, stories of Troy are told
which bring great sadness to Odysseus.
Book IX - The Land of the Cyclops
While at the banquet, Odysseus reveals his identity. The king asks him to tell his story.
This story of Odysseus' wanderings are told in flashback.
After leaving, Troy Odysseus' ships were caught in a storm. They landed in a strange
place which was the home of the Lotus-Eaters. All the men who ate the Lotus were
overcome by the narcotic plant.
The next place the ships landed was the land of the Cyclops (one-eyed giants). Odysseus
and his men explored the island and came upon a huge cave. This was the home of
Polyphemus, who lived in the cave with his sheep.
When Polyphemus discovered the Greeks in his den, he ate two of them. The next day he
ate two more for breakfast, then left with his sheep. He blocked the entrance to the cave
with a huge boulder. Unable to move the stone blocking the entrance, Odysseus devised a
plan of escape. While Polyphemus was asleep, Odysseus and his men pierced his eye
with a large stick, blinding him. The next morning, when Polyphemus let his sheep out to
graze, Odysseus and his men escaped by hiding under the sheep's bellies.
Odysseus, also, tricked Polyphemus into thinking his name was "Nobody."
While sailing away, Odysseus allows his pride to get in the way and he yells out his true
identity to Polyphemus. By injuring Polyphemus, Odysseus incurred the wrath of
Poseidon, Polyphemus' father.
Book X - Aeolus and Circe
The island of Aeolus king of the winds, is the next place Odysseus lands. In order to
assist him on his journey, Aeolus gives Odysseus a bag containing all the bad winds
which could blow his ship off course.
Odysseus' crew become jealous because they think the bag contains treasure. Ithaca is
within sight when the men rip open the bag, letting all the winds escape. The resulting
explosion of winds blows them far away.
After several days at sea, Odysseus lands on the island of Aeaea. Aeaea is the home of
the goddess Circe. When Circe encounters some of Odysseus' men she turns them into
pigs.
Assisted by Hermes, who tells him how to avoid Circe's spells, Odysseus sets out to
rescue his men. Circe falls in love with Odysseus and he stays with her for a year.
When Odysseus decides to leave, Circe tells him he will not have a safe journey unless he
goes to Hades to seek the counsel of the prophet, Tiresias.
Book XI - The Trip to Hades
Odysseus sails to the edge of the earth where he performs animal sacrifices. Dead souls,
attracted by the smell of fresh blood, begin to rise out of Hades.
When Tiresias arrives, he warns Odysseus of the future dangers that await him. He tells
Odysseus he will reach home, but his troubled journeys will not end until he earns
Poseidon's forgiveness.
Book XII - Further Perils on the Journey Home
In order to return home, Odysseus and his men must pass the island of the Sirens. The
Sirens lure susceptible men to their deaths with their irresistible song. Odysseus protects
his men by filling their ears with wax. He wants to hear the song, so he has his men tie
him to the mast. In this manner they pass by the Sirens safely.
The next two hazards to pass are so close together it is impossible to avoid them both.
They are Scylla, a six headed monster, and Charybdis, a violent whirlpool. In order to
avoid Charybdis, Odysseus is forced to sacrifice six of his men to Scylla.
After the encounter with Scylla, Odysseus and his crew land on the island of Helios, god
of the sun. They had been warned not to eat any of Helios' sacred cattle, but the starving
men give into temptation. This causes the gods to become angry. Zeus sends a storm and
a thunderbolt which not only kills all the crew, but destroys the ship.
Odysseus, the only survivor, nearly drowns as he gets sucked into Charybdis. He falls
into the hands of Calypso when he is washed up on her island.
This ends the part of the poem told in flashback.
Books XIII, XIV, XV, and XVI - The Return to Ithaca
Finally, Odysseus gets to go home. He leaves the land of the Phaeacians, transported in
one of their ships. Because the Phaeacians have treated Odysseus with so much kindness,
they incur the wrath of Poseidon.
When Odysseus arrives on the shores of Ithaca, he is meet by Athena. She suggests he
disguise himself as a beggar so he can assess the situation at home.
In the disguise of a beggar, Odysseus leaves the beaches and travels into the hills. He
arrives at the farm of one of his servants, Eumaeus. Eumaeus has remained loyal to
Odysseus throughout his twenty year absence.
Returning from his trip to see Menelaus in Sparta, Telemachus, also, goes to Eumaeus'
farm. When they are alone together, Odysseus identifies himself to Telemachus. Together
they formulate a plan to get rid of the suitors.
Remaining in disguise, Odysseus will travel to the palace. He will keep his identity
secret, even from Penelope, until the proper time to take vengeance arrives.
Book XVII - Odysseus Arrives at the Palace
The next morning, Telemachus returns to the palace and tells his mother all the
information he has gained about Odysseus. Penelope wants to believe that Odysseus may
still be alive, but she has almost lost all hope.
Later that day, Odysseus and Eumaeus approach the palace. They meet Melanthius,
another servant of Odysseus, on the way. Melanthius has been disloyal to Odysseus by
catering to the whims of the suitors. He does not recognize Odysseus, who is still
disguised as a beggar, and he insults and kicks him. Odysseus is scarcely able to hold his
temper.
When Eumaeus and Odysseus enter the palace, the suitors are feasting at the banquet
table. Telemachus offers food to the beggar (Odysseus), and gives him permission to beg.
Antinous, the leader of the suitors, insults Odysseus and beats him with a footstool.
Odysseus swears to himself that he will have revenge for this act of cruelty.
Penelope asks Eumaeus about the beggar (Odysseus). She requests he tell his story, and
asks if he has any news of her husband. Odysseus agrees to speak with her later.
Book XVIII - The Suitors Torment Odysseus
Irus, a beggar who is the favorite of the suitors, arrives at the palace after the banquet.
Irus taunts and threatens Odysseus, who is still in disguise. Antinous decides to have the
two beggars fight each other. When Odysseus takes off his shirt, his strong, muscled
body frightens Irus. Although Odysseus tries not to hurt Irus, he breaks his jaw.
Penelope appears before the suitors. She rebukes them for the fight that just occurred, and
for depleting her husband's estate.
Eurymachus, one of the suitors, has taken Melantho, Odysseus' servant, as his mistress.
Odysseus censures Melantho for her disloyalty. A ruckus ensues between Eurymachus
and Odysseus. Telemachus intervenes by telling everyone to go to bed. The suitors are all
surprised, but they do as ordered.
Book XIX - The Beggar Meets Penelope
After everyone has retired for the evening, Odysseus and Telemachus clear all the
weapons from the hall and hide them.
Penelope comes down to the hall, and she and Odysseus talk. She tells him how much she
has missed her husband, and how many tricks she has implemented in order to put the
suitors off. Odysseus, deeply affected by her story, tells her about himself and claims to
have known her husband. Penelope is deeply touched, and orders one of her maids to
wash the old beggar's feet.
While Eurycleia, an old nurse, washes Odysseus' feet, she realizes that this is her master.
She recognizes it is Odysseus because of an old scar on his leg. Odysseus orders her to
keep his identity secret.
Penelope decides to hold a contest to see which suitor will become her husband. The one
who is able to shoot an arrow through twelve axe handles will win her hand in marriage.
This is a feat that previously only Odysseus could do. The beggar tells Penelope that this
is a good idea.
Retiring to her room, Penelope is overcome with grief over the memory of Odysseus. She
is unable to stop crying until Athena intervenes and brings her sleep.
Book XX - The Plan Begins
Odysseus is unable to sleep as he plans the upcoming confrontation with the suitors.
Athena appears before him, and promising her help, tells him he will be victorious.
Penelope prays to the gods for rescue, even if it means death, from marriage to another
man.
When the morning arrives, Odysseus asks Zeus for a favorable sign. As the god's thunder
rumbles, the suitors notice and become uneasy. Odysseus carefully observes the behavior
of the servants in order to determine who has been loyal. He is able to determine that
Philoetuis has been loyal.
The suitors return for lunch. One of them insults Odysseus and throws a bone at him.
Telemachus is outraged at their behavior, and proceeds to berate them. A soothsayer
warns the suitors of their impending doom, but they ignore him. The suitors continue
with their gorging and feasting, while Telemachus awaits his father's signal.
Book XXI - The Contest
Penelope informs the suitors of her plans for the contest. The suitors must use Odysseus'
great bow. Whoever can both string the bow and shoot an arrow through twelve axes,
will be Penelope's next husband. The suitors accept the challenge. While the suitors are
making their preparations, Odysseus takes Eumaeus and Philoetius aside, and after
identifying himself, enlists their aid in his plan.
None of the suitors is able to string Odysseus' great bow. When Antinous suggests the
contest be continued the next day, Odysseus asks for a chance to try the bow. The suitors
refuse his request, but Penelope intervenes. Telemachus orders his mother to leave the
hall, and he hands the bow to Odysseus. Eumaeus and Philoetius secretly lock the doors
to the hall.
Odysseus takes the bow and easily strings it. He effortlessly shoots an arrow through the
twelve axes. While the suitors sit in surprise, Telemachus arms himself with a sword and
goes to his father's side.
Book XXII - The Death of the Suitors
Odysseus kills Antinous with the next arrow. The suitors think the beggar has gone crazy
until Odysseus identifies himself. In horror, Eurymachus tries to blame the dead Antinous
for the actions of the suitors. Odysseus answers him by killing him with the next arrow.
Pandemonium breaks out as the suitors attempt to defend themselves. Odysseus;
however; eliminates them one by one.
Telemachus brings out arms for Odysseus, Eumaeus, Philoetius, and himself. These four
fight bravely together until all the suitors are killed.
Odysseus calls to Euryclea, and has her identify all of the maids who were disloyal to
him. Twelve maids are targeted, and Odysseus makes them clean out the carnage in the
hall After they complete their chores, the maids are taken outside and hanged. Melanthius
is killed and mutilated for his treacherous behavior. The hall is then fumigated by the
burning of brimstone.
Book XXIII - The Reunion
Eurycleia rushes up to Penelope's bed chamber to inform her that the suitors are dead,
and Odysseus has returned. Penelope, not believing this story, goes down to the hall to
see what has occurred. Penelope doesn't recognize Odysseus because he is still dressed as
a beggar and is covered in blood.
Penelope tests Odysseus by telling him his bed has been moved. He is outraged because
the bed is made from an olive tree that grows through the center of the palace, and cannot
be moved. This is a secret only the two of them share so his knowledge assures Penelope
that this is indeed Odysseus. The two share a loving reunion. Athena delays the sunrise so
the two lovers can have more time together.
The next day, Odysseus goes to visit his father, Laertes.
Book XXIV - Peace Comes to Ithaca
In Hades all the dead souls of Odysseus' former comrades in Troy are surprised when
Hermes arrives leading the souls of the dead suitors. They are impressed by Odysseus'
valor and his wife's loyalty.
When Odysseus arrives at his father's farm, Laertes is overcome with joy. Meanwhile the
people of Ithaca have learned of Odysseus' return and the slaughter that took place. At an
assembly, the relatives of the slain suitors seek retribution. Arming themselves, they
follow Odysseus to Laertes' farm.
Athena wants to help Odysseus, so she asks Zeus for permission. Zeus, feeling Odysseus
was justified in his actions, agrees to let Athena intervene.
When the armed relatives arrive at Laertes' farm, a fight breaks out. A thunderbolt from
Zeus gets everyone's attention and Athena orders that peace be restored.
Odysseus returns to reign as king of Ithaca.
Central Themes of the Odyssey
There are three main themes which unify the plot of Homer's ODYSSEY. The first theme
is the"Wanderings of Odysseus. " This motif encompasses the majority of the epic poem.
In books I-IX, Odysseus sets sail with his warriors from Troy to Ithaca, his kingdom.
On his journey home, Odysseus encounters many difficulties. He looses a portion of his
crew at his first stop, a storm then drives the crew to the land of the horrid Lotus-eaters.
He then reaches the land of the Cyclops where he looses more of his crew.
In books X-XII Odysseus comes across the land of Aeolus and later the realm of Circe.
In books XII-XIV Odysseus encounters the dangerous Sirens and later the treacherous
Scylla and the terrifying Charybdis. Odysseus concludes his travels alone on the territory
of the Phaecians where he is kindly taken in by the king.
The second theme in Homer's ODYSSEY is the "Quest of Telemachus." This motif
occupies most of books I-IV and portion of other books as well. In the beginning of the
epic, Telemachus is shown as a young man who is very much overwhelmed by the suitors
of his mother, Penelope . In books II-IV, Telemachus goes on a journey in search of
information on his father. He is taken in by King Menelaus and Helen. During the final
portion of the epic, Telemachus grows up and finally takes revenge on his mother's
suitors.
This leads up to the final theme of Homer's ODYSSEY, "Odysseus' return and
vengeance." In books XIV-XXIV, Odysseus returns home. He cunningly conceals his
identity by disguising himself as an old beggar. Odysseus soon reveals himself to
Telemachus and they take on the suitors. The father and son team take care of all the
suitors and even hang those servants who were disloyal during the time of Odysseus'
absence. These servants hang shamefully outside as a sign of the master's return and
vengeance. And thus concludes the epic's thematic structure.
Gods and Dieties of THE ODYSSEY
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ZEUS---> Agreed to allow Odysseus to leave Calypso's island and return home to
Ithaca. He later destroyed Odysseus' crew with a lightening bolt for killing Helios'
cattle.
ATHENA---> Begged Zeus to allow Odysseus to return to his wife Penelope and
his son Telemachos. She felt Calypso held him captive long enough. She later
disguised herself as Mentes, an old family friend of Odysseus. While in disguise,
she made Telemachos accept he was a man and to take responsibility for
upholding honor in his father's house.
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CALYPSO---> Held Odysseus prisoner but treated him well. She forced him to
stay with her on the island through trickery. She offered him immortality if he
would stay with her, but all he wanted to do is return home to his wife.
POLYPHEMOS---> One of the cyclopes (one-eyed giants). Son of Poseidon. Ate
four of Odysseus' men. Odysseus then carved a pole from Polyphemos' club to
blind him. Polyphemos prayed to his father in hopes that Odysseus would not
return home for many years and he would be left without a crew.
POSEIDON---> God of the sea. Angry that Odysseus blinded Polyphemos, he
caused the ships to stray which resulted in his return to Ithaca many years later
without a crew.
AIOLOS HIPPOTADES---> Appointed by Zeus as Warden of the Winds.
Allowed Odysseus to stay on the island for one month. As Odysseus prepared to
leave, Aiolos gave him a leather bag filled with storm winds to help Odysseus
reach Ithaca.
CIRCE--> An enchantress who desired Odysseus. She turned Odysseus' men into
swine, but changed them back after she and Odysseus slept together. He stayed on
the island with her for a year. As he readied to continue his journey home, Circe
forewarned him to block the ears of his crew when they heard the songs of the
Sirens and no matter what the reason not to kill Helios' cows
SIRENS---> Sing to enchant men away from their journey. These women cause
men to become mindless (often not a difficult task) and to forget about their wives
and children. Failed at enticing Odysseus and his crew.
HELIOS---> Gcd of the Sun. Keeper of immortal herds and shepherds. Became
angered when Odysseus' crew killed his immortal cows and feasted on them for
six days. He prayed to Zeus to punish the men for what they had done.
Trojan War
A. What started the Trojan War ?
We know for a fact that the Trojan War actually occurred. Troy fell into the hands of the
Greeks. Archaeologists have found historical evidence in the ruins of Troy to support
this. The war took place in the beginning of 12th century B.C. and is generally thought to
have lasted from 1193 - to 1184 B.C.
Modern historians suggest that the war was started over commerce and trade between
Greece and Asia Minor. Many of the main characters in Homer's account of the Trojan
War in the ILIAD many have been drawn from real personalities.
B. How did the war affect the Trojans?
The Trojan's city was in havoc and there was nothing left to their kingdom because of the
war. That itself caused much stress on the Trojans. They were left to life in ruins. The
women were taken by the Greeks to be slaves, and the men that were left did not have a
bright future to look forward to. But more than that, they mourned for the losses of their
great heroes and family members.
C. How did the war affect the Greeks ?
The Greeks would go back to a city that was not in ruins; they still had some type of
comfort. However, the Greeks had also lost faith in themselves because there were many
men dead over this war. The Greeks knew things would not be same after generations of
men were lost in this long battle.
Mythological Beginning/Causes of the Trojan War


I. Wedding of King Peleus to sea-goddess, Thetis (parents of Achilles)
o A. What happened?
 1. all gods and goddesses invited except for Eris, goddess of
discord
 2. Eris angry - tosses golden apple inscribed, "For the fairest one"
among the guests
 3. Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite claim prize
 4. Paris, son of king Priam and Queen Hekabe of Troy, chosen to
decide who gets apple
 5. Goddesses offer Paris bribes
 a.) Hera - kingship
 b.) Athena - victory in war
 c.) Aphrodite - love of most beautiful woman
 6. Paris chooses Aphrodite's bribe and wins Helen, wife of
Menelaus, king of Sparta (a Greek city-state founded by the
Dorians in approximately 900 B.C.)
 7. Menelaus asks for aid of brother, Agamemnon, king of Mycenae
 8. after refusal of Greeks to return Helen, Trojan War begins in
approximately 1200 B.C.)
II. "the Trojan war, which was fought, according to legend, because of a quarrel
among gods and the resulting incidents of betrayal among mortals." (2)
o A. Intervention/Competition of Gods
 1. Personal Glory
 a.) "It is undeniable that if we take Homer literally, divine
intervention determines a great many outcomes in which a
human life is at stake."(1)
 2. Divine Intervention
 a.) Zeus arranges the tremendous loss of Greek lives so that
Achilles (the greatest warrior among the Greeks), feeling
void of his honor, after losing his war prize to Agamemnon,
will be begged to rejoin his men--fueling progression of
war.



b.) Helen uses Aphrodite's pressure as an excuse for her
engagement. "I know that I behaved badly, but I was so in
love I couldn't think straight." (1)
 c.) "The great leader of the great expedition is
Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. His place in a list of what
seem to be shepherd kings, deriving their authority from
Hermes, the god of flocks, given very early in THE
ILIAD." (8)
 d.) The gods meddle with human lives by offering spiritual
gifts and people, like bargaining chips, taking pieces of
human souls.
 3. Personal Biases
 a.) Athena - encourages Hector, Trojan hero, to fight
Achilles, knowing it will lead to his demise--fueling battle.
 b. Hera - favors Greeks; rejected by Paris at wedding of
King Peleus and sea-goddess, Thetis
 4. Competition/Jealousy
 a.) competing bribes offered by Hera, Athena, and
Aphrodite, at all costs, to win honor of being "the fairest"
o B. Mortals
 1. feud between Achilles and Agamemnon over war prizes (4)-fuels battle
 2. Importance of honor to characters like Achilles and Hector-honor is major part of their identity
 3. pride in homeland (Greece or Troy)
III. "the face that launched a thousand ships"--Helen of Troy (7)
o A. Book III
 1. Single combat between Paris and Menelaus
 a.) "The fact that it is a duel ensures this immediate interest,
the simple desire to know how the thing will end, and the
fact that it is a duel between Paris and Menelaus brings out
naturally the whole story of Helen and the shameful cause
for which Troy is fighting." (7)
 b.) combat is episode that reveals the cause of the fighting
 c.) "The princes of Greece thereupon raised a force of a
thousand or more ships, manned by fighters, with a view to
forcing the return of Helen."(6)
 d.) "and thus they would leave to Priam and to the Trojan
Helen of Argos, to glory over, for whose sake many
Acheans (Greeks) lost their lives in Troy far from their own
native country."(6)
IV. The Judgment of Paris
o A. "The ultimate cause of the Trojan War was the judgment of Paris. (6)
 1. "There is one statement that Hera, Poseidon, and Athena hated
Ilion (Troy) and its people 'because of the sin of Paris, who
insulted the goddesses when they came to his courtyard, and
praised that one who gave him disastrous lust'."(6)

V. Fate
o
o
o
A. Achilles - fated to Die in battle; only surviving son of King Peleus and
Thetis
B. "That is, I completely reject the view that gods and mortals alike are
controlled by some higher destiny."(1)
C. "The end of the Trojan War is fixed, but the sorrow of Achilles brings it
about." (5)
Alcinoos: King of the Phaiacians
Anticleia: Odysseus's mother who died while he was
away from Ithaca
Antinoos: "Ringleader" of Penelopeia's suitors
Arete: King Alcinoos' wife, known for her kindness
and beauty
Argos: Odysseus's old hunting dog
Athena: Goddess of wisdom; Odysseus's helper
Calypso: Witch/nymph who wanted Odysseus as her
husband
Circe: "Terrible goddess with lovely hair, who spoke in
the language of men" (115); daughter of Helios
Demodocos: Blind minstrel
Eumaios: Swineherd; a faithful servant of Odysseus
Eupeithes:F ather of Antinoos
Eurycleia: Faithful old servant of Odysseus and his
family; "she loved him [Telemachos] more than any
other of the household, and she had been his nurse
when he was a little tot." (21)
Eurymachos: One of Penelopeia's cruelest suitors
Hyperion: Sun-god
Iros: Beggar at Odysseus's home
Laertes: Odysseus's father; lives in seclusion in the
country
Odysseus: Protagonist unable to reach home after the
Trojan War; "wise beyond all mortal men" (12)
Melanthios: One of Penelopeia's cruelest suitors; a
goatherd
Nausicaa: Daughter of King Alcinovs; "tall and divinely
beautiful" (73)
Penelopeia: Odysseus's faithful wife
Philoitios: Faithful cattle drover
Poseidon: God of the sea; bore a lasting grudge
against Odysseus; often called "Earthshaker"
Polyphemos: "Most powerful of all the Cyclopians"
(12); son of Poseidon
Telemachos: Odysseus's son; "a fine-looking boy"
(13); approximately twenty years old
Theoclymenos: Prophet who returns to Ithaca with
Telemachos
Teiresias: Blind Theban prophet
Teiresias
A famous prophet of Thebes. Teiresias accidentally came across Athena while she was
bathing, so she blinded him. At his mother pleading Athena gave Teiresias the gift of
prophecy to compensate for his blindness. Amoung his prophecies were: A warning to
Pentheus to recongnize and honor Dionysus when he first appeared in Thebes. A
prediction of the greatness of Hercules. He reveled to Oedipus that Oedipus had
unknowningly murdered his own father. Advice to Odysseus on how to placate Poseidon.