The Odyssey Summary:Book 9

Book nine begins with Odysseus’ reply to Alkinoos, who has asked his visitor to reveal his name and explain his apparent grief. Odysseus tells Alkinoos his name and goes on to tell of his adventures during the war—specifically, his adventures with Kyklops.

Odysseus begins with the story of a battle upon the coast of the Kikones, where many of his shipmates and friends were killed because of their greed. They set sail only to run into a violent storm that lasted for two days and nights. Once the storm had passed, Odysseus’ ships got caught in the current and were taken out to sea, where he drifted in high winds for nine days. They landed on the coast of Lotos Land. There, Odysseus sent three of his men to find out about the inhabitants, who offered them the sweet lotos, which caused the three men to long “to stay forever, browsing on that native bloom, forgetful of their homeland.” Odysseus dragged the men back to the ship and quickly set out to sea before anyone else could be tempted to eat the lotos.

They sailed until they reached an island just off the coast of Kyklopes land, where they made harbor. On their second day, Odysseus and some of his men rowed to Kyklopes land to check out the island and its inhabitants. When they arrived on land, Odysseus took twelve of his best fighters and explored a cave. The men became locked in when Kyklops (Polyphemos) returned with his sheep and closed the opening of the cave with a huge rock. Odysseus explains how they arrived upon the island and requests the usual hospitality—which is the mark of civilized people. Polyphemos tells them that he has no fears of Zeus and won’t let them go unless he wants to. The giant also asks Odysseus where their ship is. Odysseus cunningly tells him that they are the only survivors of a terrible shipwreck. Kyklops responds by eating two of Odysseus’ men. The rest of the Greeks are terrified but Odysseus realizes that they can’t kill Kyklops or they will be trapped in the cave forever.

The next morning, Polyphemos eats some more of the men and sets out with his flock of sheep. While Kyklops was gone, Odysseus came up with a plan to fashion a stake with which they could stab Kyklops in the eye. Kyklops came back and ate two more men for dinner. Odysseus offered him some tasty liquor that he had brought with him and Kyklops accepted, drinking it all. Kyklops passed out and the men rammed the spike into his eye. Kyklops called for help from the other Kyklopes. When they asked him who had harmed him, Kyklops told them “Nohbdy,” which is what Odysseus had called himself. The Kyklopes blew him off because “nobody” hurt him and Kyklops is left to suffer. He moved the stone from the cave opening, blocking the doorway in hopes of catching any man who tried to escape. Odysseus came up with another plan.

He tied groups of three sheep together and each man hid under a group. In the morning, when Kyklops let the sheep out to pasture, the men escaped unnoticed. They led the sheep back to the ships. Once they were aboard, Odysseus turned and shouted his victory at Kyklops. Odysseus told Kyklops what his real name is. Kyklops reveals that he had been forewarned that he would lose his eye at Odysseus’ hands. Kyklops was surprised that Odysseus is such a little guy and begged him to come back. He promised to treat him well and to make Poseidon like him. Odysseus told Polyphemos that he’d like to kill him and send him to Hell. Kyklops was angry and prayed that Poseidon would never allow Odysseus to see his home again. As the men sailed away, they tried to make offerings to Zeus but he wouldn’t have it—”destruction for my ships he had in store and death for those who sailed them, my companions.” The book ends with them heading out to sea, into the sunrise.

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External Links

Notes on Book IX