Odysseus And Circe

’s Meeting Essay, Research Paper

Odysseus and Circe?s Meeting

Odysseus and his comrades arrive at the ?island of Aeaea, the home of the beautiful Circe, a formidable goddess, with a mortal women?s voice.? (Homer10.135-137). Following the transformation of Odysseus?s crewmembers being turned into pigs. Odysseus travels through the forest towards Circe?s home, where he meets with Hermes, the god of the golden wand (275-276). During the meeting Hermes presents Odysseus with directions to help free his crewmembers of the magical spell and also get Circe on their side. Hermes also offers Odysseus a special herb to bypass Circe?s magic drink (303). Odysseus accepts the offering and proceeds on his way.

Once Odysseus arrives at Circe?s wonderful door, he is greeted with a beautiful silver studded chair and stool for his feet (313-315). Circe prepares the magic drink for Odysseus. To Circe?s surprise, Odysseus drinks the magical potion and is not effected by the evil magic (317-319). Circe exclaims, ? I am amazed to see you take my drug and suffer no magic change.? (327-328). Circe continues to inquire into Odysseus?s past. However Odysseus does not offer many answers. Circe states that she was anticipating Odysseus?s arrival and wished to learn of his great feats in life. Circe continues to speak, ?I am sure you are Odysseus, that resourceful man; the man whom the Giant-Killer with the golden wand always told me to expect here on his way back from Troy in his swift black ship.? (330-334). Odysseus demands that Circe not play another mischievous game with him or his crewmembers. Circe agrees at once. Odysseus also asks for Circe?s aid in their travels back home. Circe obliges with Odysseus?s demands (337-338).

Odysseus and crew, remain at Circe?s home for the duration of an entire year, ?fasting on lavish quantities of meat and mellow wine.? (467-469). Nearing the completion of the year, Odysseus and crew decide it is time to begin their journey back home. Once again Odysseus demands Circe to fulfill her promise and aid them in their travels back to their homeland of Ithaca (482-484).

Circe consents to the men?s departure. However she assigns the men one last journey before returning to Ithaca, ??first you have to make another journey and find your way to the Halls of Hades and dread Persephone?? (490-491). Before Odysseus and his crewmembers were escorted to the dark side, Circe dictates orders to Odysseus to ensure that he does not offend the immortals and in return will complete a safe voyage to Ithaca. Circe orders, ?Do as I tell you, my lord; dig a trench as long and wide as a man?s forearm. Go around and pour offerings to the dead?? (417-420). Circe continues, ?When you have finished your invocations to the glorious company of the dead, sacrifice a ram and a black ewe?? (527-528). Following the completion of these tasks the men were free to travel home to Ithaca.

Following the orders from Circe, Odysseus gathers his crewmembers and proceeds toward the Halls of Hades. Odysseus turns to thank Circe for her help, however she vanished without a single sight (573-574). The men?s destiny is unknown and their feelings heading into this journey were not of joy and excitement but of fear and uncertainty 578).