Return of Ulysses explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Heroism and the Quest

  Ulysses' journey home is a classic heroic quest, marked by trials that test his intelligence, endurance, and leadership.

• Hospitality and Its Violation

  The Cyclops Polyphemus violates the sacred code of hospitality by devouring his guests, while Aeolus exemplifies proper hospitality.

• Fate and Free Will

  Ulysses' fate is intertwined with his own choices and the actions of his crew, such as opening the bag of winds, which alters their destiny.

Characters to notice

• Ulysses

  The protagonist, whose cunning and leadership are central to the escape from the Cyclops and the navigation of challenges.

• Polyphemus

  The Cyclops who devours several of Ulysses' men and is blinded by Ulysses' clever ruse.

• Jupiter

  Referenced as the god who entrusted Aeolus with the winds and as the source of divine retribution.

• Aeolus

  The king of the winds who aids Ulysses by giving him a bag of winds, but whose help is undone by the crew's curiosity.

Key passages

• “The romantic poem of the Odyssey is now to engage our attention. It narrates the wanderings of Ulysses (Odysseus in the Greek language) in his return from Troy to his own kingdom Ithaca.”

  The epic poem the Odyssey tells the story of Ulysses' journey home from Troy to Ithaca.

  Introduces the central narrative of the chapter.

• “The effect of this food was such that those who partook of it lost all thoughts of home and wished to remain in that country.”

  Eating the lotus plant made the men forget their homeland and desire to stay.

  Describes the danger of the Lotus-eaters.

• “Ulysses replied most humbly, stating that they were Greeks, from the great expedition that had lately won so much glory in the conquest of Troy; that they were now on their way home, and finished by imploring his hospitality in the name of the gods.”

  Ulysses humbly explained they were Greek heroes returning from Troy and asked for hospitality.

  Shows Ulysses' respectful approach to the Cyclops.

• “He replied, 'O friends, I die, and Noman gives the blow.' They answered, 'If no man hurts thee it is the stroke of Jove, and thou must bear it.'”

  Polyphemus cried that Noman was killing him, so the other Cyclopes thought it was a punishment from Zeus.

  Highlights Ulysses' clever trick with the name 'Noman'.

• “Tempted to secure some portion for themselves, they loosed the string, when immediately the winds rushed forth. The ships were driven far from their course, and back again to the island they had just left.”

  The crew's greed led them to open the bag of winds, causing a storm that drove them back to Aeolus's island.

  Illustrates the crew's folly and its consequences.