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GCSE Classical Civilisation – Unit A352
Homer’s Odyssey
Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 12
Student Workbook
to develop understanding of the narrative, themes, characters and techniques
Aldenham School Classics Department 2013
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12
Homer and Epic Poetry
What is epic poetry?
Who was Homer?
When was the Odyssey created?
How was the Odyssey performed?
What are the key themes of the Odyssey?
Homer’s epic poetry – Narrative Technique & Style (see worksheet on p. 31)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Direct Speech & Flashback
Epithets & Recurrent Phrases
(Formulae)
Similes & Imagery
Gruesome Details
Action & Pace
Building Tension
•
•
•
•
•
•
Foreshadowing
Irony
Pathos
Vivid / Lengthy Description
Scene-setting
Small Detail
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Book 5 – Summary of Characters & Plot
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12
1. Characters
Name
Description
2. Narrative Summary
Line/page
Action
Theme / Importance
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Odyssey Book 5 - Comprehension Questions (Part 1)
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12
1.
Explain what an epithet is, and give an example from the opening of Book 5.
[2]
2.
What is making Athene upset?
[2]
3.
Give 4 examples Athene mentions that highlight Odysseus’ plight?
[4]
4.
How does Zeus solve the situation?
[3]
5.
Where is Odysseus to go next on his travels?
[2]
6.
What does Hermes put on?
[2]
7.
What is the name of Calypso’s island?
[1]
8.
What was Calypso doing when Hermes arrived?
[2]
9.
What was amazing about Calypso’s home? Give 4 examples.
[5]
10.
What are ambrosia and nectar?
[2]
11.
What is xenia?
[3]
12.
Why did Hermes not want to come all this way?
[2]
13.
Why is Calypso upset by Hermes’ words?
[2]
14.
How will Calypso help Odysseus?
[1]
15.
What was Odysseus doing when Calypso found him?
[2]
16.
What instructions does Calypso give him?
[3]
17.
Why does Odysseus not trust Calypso, and what does he want as a guarantee?
[2]
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Odyssey Book 5 – Comprehension Questions (Part 2)
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12
1.
What does Calypso reveal to Odysseus about his journey home?
[2]
2.
Why is Odysseus so desperate to get home?
[2]
3.
Why does he think he’s able to endure anything?
[2]
4.
Which tools does Calypso provide to help Odysseus build his raft?
[4]
5.
How long does it take for the raft to be completed?
[1]
6.
What does Calypso give Odysseus to help him on his way? (give 3)
[3]
7.
Which constellations does Odysseus look out for?
[3]
8.
Who intends to cause trouble for Odysseus and where has he been?
[2]
9.
What does he do to cause trouble and how does Odysseus respond?
[1+1]
10. What happens to a) Odysseus and b) his raft?
[1+2]
11. Who helps Odysseus and what does she give him?
[2]
12. What must Odysseus do with this gift once he is safe?
[2]
13. Why does Odysseus ignore advice and hold onto his raft?
[1]
14. How does Athene help?
[2]
15. What simile is used to describe Odysseus’ relief?
[3]
16. Why does Odysseus’ “heart fail” at this point?
[1]
17. How does Athene help him?
[2]
18. Why does Odysseus pray to the river god?
[1]
19. What were Odysseus’ options once he reached dry land?
[2]
20. What does he do to prepare his shelter?
[2]
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Odysseus in Book 5: Mind-map
Aldenham School Classics Department 2013
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12
6
Book 6 – Summary of Characters & Plot
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12
1. Characters
Name
Description
2. Narrative Summary
Line/page
Action
Theme / Importance
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Book 6 Comprehension Questions (Part 1)
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12
1. Where did the Phaeacians used to live and who were their neighbours?
[2]
2. Why did Nausithous move his people to Scherie?
[2]
3. How is Nausicaa described?
[2]
4. How did Athene pass through the closed polished doors?
[1]
5. How does she persuade Nausicaa to go and wash her clothes?
[3]
6. How is Olympia described?
[4]
7. What does Nausicaa find her parents doing?
[2]
8. What is Nausicaa too shy to mention to her father?
[1]
9. Describe how the girls washed their clothes.
[4]
10. After they finished their lunch, what did a) the girls and b) Nausicaa do?
[1+1]
11. How is Nausicaa described at this point?
[3]
12. How does Athene wake up Odysseus?
[2]
13. Why does Odysseus groan?
[2]
14. Why is Odysseus a terrifying sight?
[3]
15. Why is Nausicaa the only one to stand firm?
[2]
16. Why is Odysseus unsure about what to do next?
[2]
17. How does Odysseus compliment Nausicaa’s appearance?
[2]
18. Why does he do this?
[1]
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Book 6 Comprehension Questions (Part 2)
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12
1. What does Odysseus ask Nausicaa to do for him?
[2]
2. Who gives good and bad fortune to men?
[1]
3. Why does Nausicaa tell her girls to come back and not run away?
[4]
4. What does she tell them to do?
[2]
5. Why does Odysseus insist on washing himself?
[2]
6. How does Athene change Odysseus’ appearance?
[4]
7. What does Nausicaa wish for when she then sees Odysseus?
[1]
8. Where is Odysseus to walk when the waggon passes through the countryside?
[2]
9. Why won’t Nausicaa allow Odysseus to stay with her when they come to the city?
[1]
10. Where is Odysseus to go and wait?
[2]
11. How long must he wait?
[1]
12. Who must he approach first inside the city and why?
[1+2]
13. When did the girls reach the place where Odysseus must wait?
[1]
14. What prayer does Odysseus offer to Athene?
[2]
15. Why does Athene not appear to Odysseus?
[2]
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Homer’s Narrative Technique Worksheet: Examples from Book 5 and 6 of the Odyssey
Technique
Direct speech &
Flashback
Description & Effect of Technique
Epithets &
Recurrent phrases
Epithets are descriptive phrases which stress a
person’s characteristics and help to establish
them in the audience’s mind. Recurrent
phrases helped oral poets to compose and
recite their material.
Similes are comparisons, used often at
moments of great drama or importance. They
are often taken from nature and they help
create a vivid picture for the audience.
Similes & Imagery
Speeches or stories told by the characters,
which make the narrative more dramatic and
bring the characters to life.
Gruesome details
Gruesome detail shocks the audience and their
sense of horror makes them listen more
intently.
Tension Building &
Foreshadowing
Creating suspense & tension by suggesting a
later plot development or occurrence through
imagery / other means.
Irony
Irony is when the words or actions of a
character are understood by the reader but not
by the other characters. Increases suspense.
Action & Pace
Increase in the amount or pace of activity at
important moments of action, helps make the
story vivid, exciting and memorable.
Pathos means creating sadness (sorrow) for the
suffering of the characters, getting the audience
more involved in the story.
Pathos
Vivid description
& Scene-setting
Small Details
Example 1
Example 2
Helps audience imagine the scene and become
more involved in the story. Scene-setting gives
a clear picture of the location of an event,
rather like a stage set.
Small or apparently minor physical details can
help create a clear picture in the audience’s
mind, or help emphasise a particular theme.
Aldenham School Classics Department 2013
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12
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Book 7 – Summary of Characters & Plot
1. Characters
Name
Description
2. Narrative Summary
Line/page
Action
Theme / Importance
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Odyssey 7 Comprehension Questions (Part 1)
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
1. What do we know about the appearance of Nausicaa’s brothers?
[1]
2. How does Athene a) protect Odysseus, and b) appear to him?
[1+2]
3. Why must Odysseus look at nobody on his journey to the palace?
[2]
4. Why do you think Homer spends time telling us about the history of Arete/Alcinous’
family?
[2]
5. What is known about Arete’s reputation?
[3]
6. Where does Athene go off to?
[2]
7. How does Homer make the description of Alcinous’ palace vivid? Explain two ways. [4]
8. How many maids work here and how are they employed?
[1+3]
9. What is unusual about the fruit of the orchard?
[2]
10. What does Odysseus find the captains doing? Why do they do this?
[1+1]
11. When does the mist disappear, and what effect does it have on the Phaeacians?
[2+1]
12. What does Odysseus plead for?
[2]
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Book 7 comprehension Questions (Part 2)
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
1.
Who is the first to reply to Odysseus’ plea?
[1]
2.
What does he tell Alcinous to do?
[3]
3.
Where does Alcinous seat Odysseus, and why is this a poignant moment?
[1+1]
4.
Who is to prepare the drink offering?
[1]
5.
What does Alcinous say the Phaeacians will do for Odysseus?
[4]
6.
Why does he think that the gods might be playing a trick on them?
[3]
7.
Whom does Odysseus match his grief with?
[1]
8.
Why does he ask to be able to eat his supper?
[3]
9.
What does Arete ask Odysseus when the other Phaeacians have gone?
[3]
10. Which story does Odysseus retell?
[2]
11. How does Odysseus praise Nausicaa’s actions?
[3]
12. How does he stand up for her actions when Alcinous questions them?
[2]
13. What does Alcinous promise?
[2]
14. What does Odysseus pray for?
[2]
15. What does Arete tell her maids to do?
[3]
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Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
Odyssey Books 5, 6 & 7: Essay on Characterisation
“How does Homer develop the characters in Books 5, 6 & 7 of the Odyssey? Answer with reference
to Odysseus and two other characters. Refer to all three books.”
You might want to consider –
• What qualities Homer wishes to emphasise in the main characters;
• How Homer uses literary techniques such as epithet & simile;
• How Homer uses themes to emphasise certain characteristics;
• Anything else you consider significant
You should aim to write 2 – 3 sides of A4, in handwriting. You MUST refer to all 3 books. You must
PLAN your essay in the space below, before writing.
ESSAY PLAN
Introduction –
Main Points –
•
•
•
•
•
•
Conclusion –
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Book 9 – Summary of Characters & Plot
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
1. Characters
Name
Description
2. Narrative Summary
Line/page
Action
Theme / Importance
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Book 9 – Comprehension Questions
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
1.
What does Odysseus say is to his way of thinking ‘perfection’?
(3)
2.
Where does Odysseus say his home is?
(1)
3.
What does Odysseus say is the sweetest sight for man’s eyes?
(1)
4.
Who are the first people Odysseus meets after sailing from Troy?
(1)
5.
Briefly describe what happens at this meeting.
(3)
6.
What happens after Odysseus sets sail again?
(3)
7.
What is of interest about Malea and Cythera?
(1)
8.
Who are the second people Odysseus meets on his journey?
(1)
9.
Briefly describe what happens at this meeting.
(4)
10.
How many men did Odysseus lose in this encounter?
(1)
11.
How many ships does Odysseus take with him to explore the land of the Cyclopes?
(1)
12.
Where does he leave the rest of his ships?
(3)
13.
How many men does Odysseus take to explore the Cyclops’s cave?
(1)
14.
What special commodity does Odysseus take with him?
(2)
15.
What does Odysseus find in the Cyclops’s cave?
(3)
16.
What do Odysseus’ men then want to do?
(3)
17.
How heavy was the stone which the Cyclops used to block the entrance to the cave?
(1)
18.
When asked by the Cyclops, who does Odysseus say he and his men are?
(2)
19.
What does Odysseus say has happened to his ship?
(4)
20.
What similes are used when Polyphemus kills the first two men?
(2)
21.
How many men are used to blind Polyphemus? How are they chosen?
(2)
22.
How many bowls of wine does the Cyclops drink?
(1)
23.
What does Odysseus say his name is? Explain why this is clever?
(1+3)
24.
To what does Homer compare Odysseus and his men as he blinds the Cyclops?
(2)
25.
What is the noise like as the Cyclops’ eye hisses?
(2)
26.
How do Odysseus and his men get out of the cave?
(1+2)
27.
What does the Cyclops do when Odysseus taunts him?
(1)
28.
What curse does Polyphemus call on Poseidon to place on Odysseus?
(4)
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Book 10 – Summary of Characters & Plot
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
1. Characters
Name
Description
2. Narrative Summary
Line/page
Action
Theme / Importance
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Magic in Book 10 –Mind-map
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
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Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
Odyssey Book 10 Comprehension Questions (Part 1).
1. How large is Aeolus’ family? What is strange about the relationships?
[2]
2. What is special about his island?
[2]
3. What does Aeolus and his family do all day?
[1]
4. How long did Odysseus stay with Aeolus?
[1]
5. How did Aeolus help Odysseus on his home journey?
[2]
6. Why does Odysseus fail to get to Ithaca in spite of Aeolus’ help?
[3]
7. What action does Odysseus contemplate which seems rather unheroic?
[2]
8. Why does Aeolus refuse to help Odysseus a second time?
[1]
9. What is strange about the nights in the land of the Laestrygonians?
[1]
10. Where do Odysseus and his men moor their ships?
[2]
11. How many men does Odysseus send to the Laestrygonians?
[1]
12. How are the Laestrygonians described? What is the name of their king?
[2]
13. What happens to this advance party?
[2]
14. What is left of Odysseus’ party after the Laestrygonian incident?
[2]
15. Who goes to investigate the island of Aeaea, Circe’s island?
[1]
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Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
Odyssey Book 10 Comprehension Questions (Part 2).
1. How does Odysseus manage to provide a meal for his men?
[1]
2. What is it that Odysseus sees on the island which terrifies his men?
[2]
3. How many men does Eurylochus take to investigate Circe’s home?
[1]
4. What does Circe do to the men?
[4]
5. Who escapes to inform Odysseus?
[1]
6. How does Odysseus react?
[2]
7. What god did Odysseus meet when he was on his way to challenge Circe?
[1]
8. What was the name of the herb which the god gave to Odysseus?
[1]
9. What does Odysseus require of Circe before he accepts her invitation to bed?
[2]
10. What reason does Odysseus give for not being willing to eat and drink with Circe?
[2]
11. To what does Homer liken Odysseus’ men when Odysseus returns to them safe and well?
[2]
12. Why was Eurylochus so reluctant to return to Circe with Odysseus?
[2]
13. For how long does Odysseus stay with Circe?
[1]
14. When Circe says Odysseus must visit the Underworld, what reason does she give?
[1]
15. What happened to Elpinor?
[2]
16. What is Circe’s parting gift to Odysseus?
[2]
17. How did Odysseus’ crew react to the news that they needed to travel not to Ithaca directly, but via
the Underworld?
[2]
18. Who is Tiresias?
[1]
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Book 12 – Summary of Characters & Plot
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
1. Characters
Name
Description
2. Narrative Summary
Line/page
Action
Theme / Importance
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Odysseus’ Character in Books 9, 10 and 12– Good or Bad Leadership?
Episode
Good or Bad Leadership - Actions / Words & Effect
Cicones
Lotus Eaters
Cyclops
Bag of Winds
Laestrygonians
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Other Characteristics
Episode
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
Good or Bad Leadership - Actions / Words & Effect
Circe
Sirens
Scylla and
Charybdis
Sun God’s Cattle
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Other Characteristics
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
Characters in each book–Impressions & Examples
Character
Book 5
Odysseus
Impression
Detail
Calypso
Book 6
Odysseus
Nausicaa
Book 7
Odysseus
Athene
Alcinous
Arete
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Character
Book 9
Odysseus
Impression
Detail
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
Odysseus’ men
Cyclops
Book 10
Odysseus
Odysseus’ men
Circe
Book 12
Odysseus
Odysseus’ men
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Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
Themes: Odysseus and Female Characters
Character
Calypso
Nausicaa
Arete
Ino
Circe
Opportunities/Threats
How does Odysseus handle her
Threats
Successful Strategies
Opportunities
Mistakes
Threats
Successful Strategies
Opportunities
Mistakes
Threats
Successful Strategies
Opportunities
Mistakes
Threats
Successful Strategies
Opportunities
Mistakes
Threats
Successful Strategies
Opportunities
Mistakes
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Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
Themes: Xenia (the laws of hospitality)
Book & Characters
BOOK 5
Calypso - Odysseus
Calypso - Hermes
Episode & Detail
Importance of Xenia
BOOK 6
Nausicaa
BOOK 7
Alcinous’ Palace
(Arete & Alcinous)
BOOK 9
(Cicones)
Lotus Eaters
Cyclops
BOOK 10
Aeolus & Bag of
Winds
Laestrygonians
Circe
BOOK 12
Sirens
(Scylla and Charybdis)
(Sun God’s Cattle)
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Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
Themes: Homeric values – Civilisation & Barbarism
Book
Value
Detail & Importance
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Themes: The Role of the Gods
Episode
God(s) involved & role
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
What effect does the role have?
BOOK 5
Council of the
Gods
Calypso
Odysseus’ sea
journey & landing
in Phaeacia
BOOK 6
Nausicaa
BOOK 7
Alcinous’ Palace
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Episode
God(s) involved & role
Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
What effect does the role have?
BOOK 9
Cicones
Lotus Eaters
Cyclops
BOOK 10
Aeolus & Bag of
Winds
Laestrygonians
Circe
BOOK 12
Sirens
Scylla &Charybdis
Sun God’s Cattle
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Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
Examples of Homer’s Narrative Techniques
Technique
Direct Speech
Book / Page
Detail
Epithets &
Formulae
Vivid
Description &
Scene-setting
Similes &
Imagery
Gruesome
Details
Action & Pace
Building
Tension &
Foreshadowing
Irony
Pathos
Small Detail
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Homer’s Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 & 12: Workbook
Odyssey Books 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12: Summary
5
Athene – Gods’ Assembly – Hermes – Calypso’s island - O. builds raft – Poseidon’s storm – Ino & Athene - Scherie
6
Athene in Nausicaa’s dream – girls at seashore – O. approaches N. – Athene makes O. handsome – N. helps O.
7
N. to palace – Athene mist & appears to O. – O. goes through city (impressed) – supplicates Arete & impresses Phaeacians
9
Cicones – Lotus-Eaters – Cave - “Nobody” & Blinding – Escape – Poseidon Curse
10
Aeolus – Laestrygonians – Circe – Eurylochus – Hermes & Moly – Elpenor – Black Ewe
12
Elpenor’s body - Circe’s instructions – warning – Sirens – Wandering Rocks – Scylla & Charybdis – Sun-god’s cattle - wreck
5 – Assembly of Gods, Hermes, Calypso, O. leaves
Assembly of Gods - Athene complains to Zeus about O. being imprisoned by Calypso. Hermes is sent from Olympus & arrives on
Calypso’s island, Ogygia. He tells Calypso she must release O.. She complains at first, but does as she is told. O. is on the shore weeping,
Calypso gives him tools to build a raft, food, clothes & a following wind. After leaving her island on a raft, O. is caught in a storm,
because Poseidon (on way from Ethiopia) has seen him. Without raft, clothes or possessions, he gets help from Athene and a veil from
Ino, and manages to come to shore on Scherie, the island of the Phaeacians, where he crawls into a bush where Athene helps him to
sleep.
6 – Nausicaa’s dream - Scherie, land of Phaeacians, O. meets Nausicaa, she helps him
Athene appears to Nausicaa, daughter of King Alcinous of the Phaeacians, in the form of her best friend in a dream, and tells her to
prepare for marriage by washing clothes at the shore. She asks her father for permission, and takes her handmaidens. They wash the
clothes, bathe and play with a ball, waking O.. O. approaches them (lion simile) and the girls except Nausicaa run away. O. does not
embrace her knees but supplicates her from a distance and compares her to a goddess, asks her for help. Athene makes O. handsome,
N. wishes for a husband like him. N. tells O. to go separately to the palace once they reach the city, because of gossip. She gives O.
clothes and tells him the way to her father’s palace. O. waits in the grove of Athene, and prays to her.
7 - Palace of Alcinous, welcome, feasting, Arete and Alcinous
O. waits in the grove, Nausicaa reaches the palace & goes to the palace while her brothers tend the cart. Athene shrouds O. in a mist &
then appears to him as a girl. O. is impressed by the harbours, ships & walls. Ath. tells O. to approach the queen Arete first, and
explains that Alcinous is related to Arete & is Poseidon’s grandson. Od. is welcomed as a guest, the Phaeacians entertain him with
feasting and music. They ask O. about himself, he explains about his meeting with N., and compliments her, reassuring Alcinous.
Alcinous says that he wishes for a man like O. as his daughter’s husband. Od. is given a comfortable bed.
9 - O.’s tale - Cicones, Lotus-Eaters, Land of Cyclopes - Polyphemus the Cyclops – narrow escape
O. tells Phaeacians about wanderings - Troy to Ismarus, city of Cicones - plunder land & attacked losing 72 men - 9 day storm sent by
Zeus – land of Lotus-eaters men unwilling to leave - O. ties men to ship & sails to land of Cyclopes - O. & 12 men enter cave of sheep &
crates of milk & cheese - despite advice O. stays hoping for hospitality - Polyphemus (Poseidon’s son) offers some hospitality but then
eats 2 men & imprisons rest - trapped by rock blocking entrance - next day while Polyphemus outside O. sharpens wooden staff - gets
Polyphemus drunk & says he is "Nobody" - Polyphemus passes out vomits & is blinded – double simile (drill & axe) – screaming attracts
neighbours but Polyphemus cries out "It’s Nobody's treachery" – in morning survivors escape by clinging under sheep as blind
Polyphemus checks them - sailing away O. calls back & reveals true identity - Polyphemus prays to Poseidon for vengeance
10 – Aeolus – bag of winds - Laestrygonians, Circe
Sail to Aeolia, home of Aeolus (god of winds) & given bag of winds - after 10 days in sight of Ithaca men open bag for treasure – O.
blown back to Aeolia & Aeolus refuses help again fearing gods - row to land of Laestrygonians (powerful giants) - King Antiphates eats
O.' 3 scouts – O. & men flee under attack by boulders but only 1 ship escapes - travel to Aeaea, home of Circe (witch-goddess) – O. finds
& kills stag for men – draw lots - Circe drugs 22 men & turns them into pigs - Eurylochus escapes & reports back – O. to rescue them
despite Eurylochus’ protests – met by Hermes (as young man) & told to eat herb Moly – will protect from drug, must lunge at Circe
when she tries to strike him - O. overpowers Circe & men changed back - live with Circe for 1 year – finally persuaded by men to leave Circe says must sail to Hades to speak with spirit of Tiresias for directions to Ithaca – in morning Elpenor, youngest crew member found
dead (drunk & fell off roof) explains need to visit Underworld - Circe ties black ewe to ship for sacrifice at Hall of Hades.
12 – Return to Circe – Elpenor’s body – Circe’s warning – Sirens, Wandering Rocks, Scylla & Carybdis, Sun-god’s cattle – Shipwreck
O. & crew return from the underworld – they find & cremate Elpenor’s body. Circe praises their courage & feasts them. Circe gives O.
instructions how to get home – he must get past the Sirens, Wandering Rocks, and Scylla & Charybdis. They will reach island Thrinacie
where Sun-god Hyperion keeps cattle herd. Must not touch the cattle, or ship & crew will be destroyed. O. speaks to his men. They set
off, O. plugs his men’s ears with wax and ties himself to the mast. O. entranced by Siren song but men keep going. Reach Scylla &
Charybdis – O. puts armour on. Scylla eats O.’s men. They reach Sun-god’s Island – O. tells them instruction, Eurylochus persuades
men better to eat cattle than die at sea. O. warns men – they eat cattle. Lampetie tells Sun-god – upset, Zeus promises to strike boat
(Calypso told O.). Omen – dead flesh comes alive. Crew set off, lightning bolt strikes ship – O. clings to keel, storm takes him past Scylla
& Charybdis – after 9 days lands on Ogygia.
Aldenham School Classics Department 2013
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