What is Book 12 of The Odyssey about?
Summary: Book 12 She describes the obstacles that he will face on his voyage home and tells him how to negotiate them. As he sets sail, Odysseus passes Circe’s counsel on to his men. Once they have passed the Sirens’ island, Odysseus and his men must navigate the straits between Scylla and Charybdis.
What is the title of Book 12 in the Odyssey?
Book 12 – The Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis In order to make it past the Sirens, Odysseus must plug the ears of his men. Circe tells Odysseus if he wants to hear the songs, he must tie himself to the mast of a ship.
What monsters does Odysseus face in Book 12?
Scylla and Charybdis, in Greek mythology, two immortal and irresistible monsters who beset the narrow waters traversed by the hero Odysseus in his wanderings described in Homer’s Odyssey, Book XII. They were later localized in the Strait of Messina.
What is special about Helios cattle?
In the Odyssey, Homer describes these immortal cattle as handsome (ἄριστος), wide-browed, fat (εὐρυμέτωπος) and straight-horned (ὀρθόκραιρος). The cattle were guarded by Helios’ daughters, Phaëthusa and Lampetië, and it was known by all that any harm to any single animal was sure to bring down the wrath of the god.
Who owns the cattle on the island of Thrinacia?
Teiresias knows Odysseus wants to return home, but he foresees danger in his future. He claims Odysseus will make it to the island of Thrinacia, where Helios, the sun god, keeps his cattle.
Where is Odysseus stranded at the end of Book 12?
As soon as land is out of sight, Zeus sends a monstrous storm that destroys the vessel and kills all the men, sparing only Odysseus. Quickly making a raft of the mast and keel, Odysseus survives the vortex of Charybdis and struggles ashore ten days later at Ogygia, the island of Calypso.
Who are the characters in the Odyssey Book 12?
Terms in this set (8)
- Sirens. Enchantresses of the sea, whose song can tempt a sailor to his ruin.
- Scylla. Man-eating monster; lives in a cliffside cavern opposite Charybdis.
- Charybdis. Monster in the form of a giant whirlpool; located across from Scylla.
- Helios. The Sungod.
- Thrinacia.
- Eurylochus.
- Ogygia.
- Calypso.
What is the name of Odysseus son?
Laertes
Anticlea of Ithaca
Odysseus/Parents
Is Charybdis a boy or girl?
Charybdis is described as a daughter of Poseidon and Gaea, and as a voracious woman,who stole oxen from Heracles, and was hurled by the thunderbolt of Zeus into the sea, where she retained her voracious nature.
What makes Odysseus a hero in Book 12?
Throughout Book 12 Odysseus uses his Homeric Hero traits to help him on his journey home. Using these traits he will be able to regain his kingdom using intelligence, his ability to make important decisions, using his superhuman strength, and receiving help from the immortal gods.
Who tells Helios the men killed his cattle?
Lampetie
Lampetie tells Helios that Odysseus’ men have slain his cattle. In turn, Helios orders the gods to take vengeance on Odysseus’ men. He threatens that if they do not pay him full atonement for the cattle, he will take the sun to the Underworld and shine it among the dead.
Where does Odysseus go in Book 12 of the Odyssey?
The Odyssey Summary: Book 12 Odysseus returns to Aeaea, where he buries Elpenor and spends one last night with Circe. She describes the obstacles that he will face on his voyage home and tells him how to negotiate them.
What was the name of the whirlpool that swallowed Odysseus?
Charybdis is an enormous whirlpool that threatens to swallow the entire ship. As instructed by Circe, Odysseus holds his course tight against the cliffs of Scylla’s lair. As he and his men stare at Charybdis on the other side of the strait, the heads of Scylla swoop down and gobble up six of the sailors.
What kind of Whirlpool is the Charybdis in the Odyssey?
Charybdis is an enormous whirlpool that threatens to swallow the entire ship. As instructed by Circe, Odysseus holds his course tight against the cliffs of Scylla’s lair.
How did Odysseus follow Circe’s advice in the Odyssey?
Odysseus follows Circe advice exactly. He manages to the glorious achievement of hearing the siren’s song, but does not pit his will against that song. He literally has himself restrained. And though he wants to fight Scylla and gain glory, he does not.
