The Odyssey Book Twelve

Book Twelve Odysseus and his crew arrive back on Circe’s island – there they prepare a funeral pyre for Elpenor. Circe tells Odysseus of the future trials ahead. She tells him to beware of the Sirens. They are winged creatures whose sweet music draws men towards them, they lure ships off course with their singing. She advises Odysseus’ men to plug their ears with bee’s wax, but if he wants to listen to the Sirens, he must be tied to the mast of his ship.

Book Twelve Circe informs the hero that he will then pass by the Island where the creature Scylla, a six headed monster, lives . Her protruding head, from her cave, snatches at any ship and crew who might pass by. No ship has escaped her jaws. He is told by Circe to avoid the treacherous whirlpool of Charybdis. She sucks in the deep waters and spits it out again. He is advised to take the route that will pass by Scylla rock. It is better to lose six men than a whole crew. Finally, Circe tells Odysseus that he will come into contact with the cattle of the sun god. If he touches them, his journey home will made more difficult.

Book Twelve As forecasted Odysseus encounters the Sirens but he is tied strongly to the mast of his ship. Similarly, he avoids Charybdis but Scylla snatches six of his men from their boat and devours them when they pass her rocks. Odysseus had not told about the imminent danger, fearing it would only cause panic. Odysseus makes a failed attempt to save his men as Scylla snatches them, his drawn weapon is to no avail. This is quite a distressing moment for the king – who witness the loss of his men.

Book Twelve When he reached the Island of the sun god’s cattle he told his men the warning given to him by Circe and Teiresias, the island must be avoided. However, he was persuaded by his men to anchor on the Island, an oath was taken, that the cattle would not be killed. But they were left stranded on the island for several weeks. Food began to run out. While Odysseus was away from his crew, praying alone to the gods, Eurylocus persuaded a group of men to gather some cattle, sacrificed them, and ate their meat. Odysseus returns to witness this taking place. When Hyperion finds out about this he immediately asks Zeus to punish Odysseus for his wickedness.

Book Twelve When Odysseus and his crew return to sea, Zeus exacted revenge for the slaughter of the sun-god’s cattle. Whilst out at sea, Zeus whips up the oceans, creates thunder storms and wrecks the fleet. Odysseus loses all his men and ships. He barely escapes the whirlpool of Charydbis. He also avoids the jaws of Scylla. Finally, he drifts to Ogygia, Calypso’s island. The Nymph rescues him and keeps him on her island.

Book Twelve: Important Points Note: Odysseus’ resourcefulness, he allows his senses to be indulged by listening to the Sirens, but at the same time makes himself safe by having his body tied to the mast of the ship. Note Odysseus’ arrogance, Circe told him that his armour and weapons are no good against Scylla: he seems to ignore her advice here. Why did Odysseus’ men ignore their oath not to harm the cattle? Why did Odysseus allow himself to be persuaded to anchor at the island in spite of the two warnings he received from Circe and Teiresias? (A question of leadership must arise here)

Book Twelve: Important Points Note the theme of right and wrong. Odysseus is responsible for the slaughter of the cattle, Zeus punishes him for this. His fate and the fate of his men are in their own hands. By ignoring the warnings given to them, they screw things up for themselves. However, some of the qualities shown by Odysseus during his adventures (books 9-12) do underline some of the qualities he has, and will need to have to defeat the suitors later on: cunning, bravery, courage, resourcefulness etc

Book Twelve: Important Points Note that Odysseus has now completed narrating his nostos, his homeward journey. Throughout these adventures, Odysseus uses all his guile (cunning) to overcome the obstacles placed before him. However, twice he has offended the mighty gods above (Helios and Poseidon), the blame must lay on his shoulders in both cases. The terrible punishment given out by the gods, is just what Odysseus deserves for his stupidity (telling Ployphemius his name was Odysseus) and not supervising his men on the Island of Thrinicia.

Book Twelve Questions Outline Odysseus encounter with the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis. How does Odysseus manage to avert danger in these encounters? *** You should be forming some assessment of Odysseus as an epic hero from your reading of books 9 – 12. ***