PRESENTATION OUTLINE
The Cicones
Odysseus and his men raided a strongpoint on the coast. As they were pillaging, fugitives fled back and rallied the main force of Cicones. Odysseus's men were defeated and fled, and sustained heavy losses.
Lotus Eaters
They came to the land of the Lotus Eaters, and sent out scouts to learn what was there. Odysseus's men soon met the Lotus Eaters, who showed no ill will and offered them edible lotus plants. But the men who ate the plant lost all thoughts of home, and wished never to leave. Odysseus dragged those men
out and quickly left the island with his crew.
The Cyclops
Odysseus has heard of the land of the Cyclops and is curious, so he decides to stop by. Upon reaching one's cave, he and his men are trapped inside and the Cyclops proceeds to eat his men in twos over the next couple of days. Finally, Odysseus is able to get him drunk and, with the help of his men, gouges his eye out. They then escape by hiding on the under bellies of his sheep as he lets them out to graze.
Island of Aeolus
Aeolus, god of the winds, gives Odysseus a bag of bad winds to help him get home safely. His crew disobey orders and open the bag.
Laestrygonians
The Laestrygonians are gigantic cannibals who destroy and eat the crews of all the ships but Odysseus's.
Island of Circe
Odysseus sent some men inland who found the house of Circe. However, Circe then shut them in a pigsty, imprisoning them. Eurylochus ran to tell Odysseus, and Odysseus went to free his men. He was stopped by the god Hermes, who gave him a plant to protect him from the Enchantress Circe's power. When Circe saw she had met her match, she freed his men. Then she told them to go the the Land of the Dead to ask the prophet Teiresias.
The Land of the Dead
When he reaches the Land of the Dead, Odysseus makes a sacrifice and summons Teiresias. Teiresias tells him that Poseidon will do everything possible to avenge the Cyclops, but he can make it through with ship and crew intact if he avoids the monsters and Helios's cattle. Once he sets things right at home and goes to a remote untainted location, he is to make a sacrifice to the gods and he will live his life in peace.
Circe's Island (2)
Odysseus receives a warning from Circe about three obstacles he is about to face.
Sirens
The Sirens live out in the middle of the sea and lure sailors to them with their beautiful singing. Once the sailors are near, they eat them alive. Circe tells Odysseus to plug his men's ears with beeswax and have them tie him to the mast if he wishes to hear.
Scylla and Charybdis
Both are dangerous monsters who lie between Odysseus and home. Scylla is a giant serpent who will eat six of his men. Charybdis is a sea leviathan who lurks underneath, waiting to engulf entire ships. Circe tells Odysseus to choose Scylla, and he does.
Sun God (Helios)
Circe warns Odysseus not to touch Helios's precious cattle, lest he seek revenge. However, Odysseus's men are trapped on that island for a month by a great storm, and, without his consent, they eventually break down and eat the cattle to survive. When they leave the island, the ship is sunk and Odysseus is the only survivor.
Calypso's Island
After losing his entire crew and washing up on the shore of the nymph Calypso's island, Odysseus has been seduced into staying seven years with Calypso, though unhappily so. However, Athena pities Odysseus and convinces Zeus to send Hermes to tell Calypso to set Odysseus free. Odysseus is then sent off on a raft toward home, but Poseidon quickly destroys it. It is only by the guidance of Athena that he washes safely upon the shore of Scheria.
Land of the Phaeacians
Odysseus is found in the morning by the daughter of Alcinous, king of the Phaeacians. He is treated with great courtesy, as are all guests, and he tells his entire story to the Phaeacians after the banquet.
