Greek monsters in The Odyssey (1/2) (Y1, Y2)

One of the most popular stories of Greek mythology is the epic poem, The Odyssey, told by the blind poet, Homer. It tells of a hero’s journey through Greek mythology and his adventures throughout his journey. The protagonist in this story is Odysseus, and through his adventures, he discovers more than war, with the involvement of Greek mythology.

                In some cases, Calypso is seen not as a Greek goddess, but as a Greek monster instead. She is a nymph who was cursed and forced to stay on her deserted island forever. When Odysseus came across the island, he, because of Calypso, lost track of time. For what felt like a day gone by, years have actually gone by in reality. Calypso was fond of Odysseus so she kept him on her island until he finally was snapped out of his brain wash, so to speak, and left to continue on his journey home. The Greeks believed that Calypso is seen in the daily lives of people as others holding us back. She is seen as misleading, selfish, and full of herself, and we’re supposed to get rid of the “Calypso,” in our life. 

                One of the most well-known monsters of The Odyssey is the Cyclops, Polyphemus. This Cyclops lived in a cave which he covered with a rock upon leaving and being inside of the cave. When they had the chance, Odysseus and his crew when into the cave and became trapped. The Cyclops ended up killing some of the crew by consuming them (ew!), but Odysseus and some of his men did end up surviving. The survivors got together, and when the Cyclops fell asleep, they took a sharp spear and pierced the eye of the Cyclops. This blinded the Cyclops, making it possible for the crew to eventually escape. They escaped by tying themselves under the sheep in the cave. When the Cyclops let the sheep out, the men untied themselves, unsuspecting of the blind Cyclops, and barely escaped alive.

                Circe is another nymph that Odysseus encountered on his journey. Odysseus goes to the home of Circe to find out how he was supposed to get home because he was currently at a stop on his journey. Circe allowed Odysseus and his crew to eat and drink what she had in her home. Odysseus was protected by Athena so when he ate, he remained a human being. His crew was turned into swine. She threatens her and she eventually turns Odysseus’s crew back into human beings. She also tells him that he needs to go to the Underworld to figure out how to get home. Circe represented wealth and taught the Greeks that they should never let their greed overcome them. 

                The Sirens are the next of the Greek monsters that Odysseus encountered on his never ending journey. They were “women” that sang on their island trying to lure men onto their island, in order to eat them. He encounters them after visiting Circe. The other nymphs on Circe’s island told Odysseus that if he wanted to, he could hear the song of the Sirens. He had his men tie him up to a post so he wouldn’t be tempted to jump off the boat and die. He had his men put wax in their ears in order to prevent them from jumping off the ship as well. The men were instructed not to untie Odysseus no matter how much he pleaded. The Sirens are known about singing about men’s pasts. Odysseus heard about his involvement in the Trojan War. The Sirens represent people who try to make you live in your past.