Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Adventures of Ulysses—The Lotus-Eaters—Cyclopes—Circe—Sirens—Scylla and Charybdis—Calypso explained
This chapter recounts the wanderings of Ulysses (Odysseus) after the Trojan War, including his encounters with the Lotus-Eaters, the Cyclops Polyphemus, the enchantress Circe, the Sirens, the monsters Scylla and Charybdis, and the nymph Cal
What happens
This chapter recounts the wanderings of Ulysses (Odysseus) after the Trojan War, including his encounters with the Lotus-Eaters, the Cyclops Polyphemus, the enchantress Circe, the Sirens, the monsters Scylla and Charybdis, and the nymph Calypso. It details his cunning escape from Polyphemus, the disastrous opening of Aeolus's wind bag, the crew's fatal slaughter of the Sun's cattle, and his eventual shipwreck and stay with Calypso, who reluctantly helps him continue his journey home.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and the Quest
Ulysses' journey home is a classic heroic quest, marked by trials that test his cunning, endurance, and leadership.
Hospitality and Its Violation
The Cyclops Polyphemus violates the sacred code of hospitality by devouring Ulysses' men, while Calypso and Circe initially offer hospitality but with ulterior motives.
Fate and Free Will
Ulysses' choices, such as taunting Polyphemus and his crew's decision to open the wind bag or slay the cattle, interact with divine will and predetermined outcomes.
Characters to notice
- Ulysses
The protagonist of the Odyssey, whose ten-year journey home from Troy is the focus of the chapter. He demonstrates cunning and leadership in escaping the Cyclops and resisting Calypso's offer of immortality.
- Polyphemus
The one-eyed Cyclops who devours several of Ulysses' men before being blinded by Ulysses' clever trick.
- Circe
The enchantress who turns some of Ulysses' crew into swine but later becomes their host and adviser after Ulysses resists her magic.
- Calypso
The sea-nymph who detains Ulysses on her island, offering him immortality, but eventually releases him at the command of Jupiter.
- Jupiter
The king of the gods who commands Calypso to release Ulysses and who entrusted Aeolus with the winds.
Key passages
“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 forever.
Describes the Lotus-Eaters' enchantment that erases memory and desire for home.
“My name is Noman.”
Ulysses tells the Cyclops his name is 'Noman' to prevent the giant from summoning help.
A clever trick that allows Ulysses to blind Polyphemus without the other Cyclopes understanding who attacked him.
“The skins crept on the ground, and the joints of meat lowed on the spits while roasting.”
After the crew slaughtered the Sun's cattle, the hides moved and the meat moaned as it cooked, signaling divine anger.
Portentous signs that foreshadow the crew's punishment for violating the sacred herds.