Scylla and Charybdis

fight off the hundreds of ghosts. Just when it seemed as if Odysseus was almost home, he had to face many more difficult challenges. Circe, a beautiful witch goddess explains these challenges to Odysseus, saying, “But in the side of the cliff is a dark gloomy cave, facing the west towards Erebos, just where you will steer your ship, Odysseus. There Scylla dwells, and yelps in her dreadful way; the cave is so high that the strongest man could not reach it with an arrow shot from the ship. It is true her voice is no louder than a puppy-dog new-born, but she is a terrible monster! Such a sight could give pleasure to no one, not even one of the immortal gods. She has twelve flapping feet, and six necks enormously long, and at the end of each neck a horrible head with three rows of teeth set thick and close, full of black death” (Homer, 140). She then goes on to tell about the terrible whirlpool, Charybdis, saying to Odysseus, “The other cliff is lower, as you will see, Odysseus. They are not far from one another; you could shoot an arrow across. There is a wild fig-tree growing from it, a tall tree covered with leaves; and Charybdis underneath swallows down the black water. Three times a day she spouts it out, three times a day she swallows it down: she is a terror-don’t you be there when she swallows” (Homer, 140)! Odysseus had to be very brave while facing these…

people say that because he let all of his men die, he was not a strong leader. Nonetheless, there is more evidence to prove that Odysseus was an effective leader. In the book, “The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis” Circe warned and prophesied the rest of Odysseus and his men’s journey: Odysseus learns that he will be the only survivor. Odysseus learns every monster and trial they will go up against, leaving him extremely reluctant to tell his men. However, he ends up telling his men stating, “Dear…

Unfortunately, to reach their home, they were forced to sail directly between these two dangerous hazards. Odysseus was left with a huge dilemma. Should he sail closer to Scylla or Charybdis? He chose to go closer to Scylla, and this showed how he could make major decisions under great pressure anticipating a succesful out come. If they had gone near Charybdis, all of them would have most likely drowned. Since they were forced to go towards Scylla, it was almost certain that six men would be…

using his wit, to trick the Trojans into letting them win the war, thus how the trojan horse was born. Odysseus is the best fit for the title Greeks most gallant hero because he showcases tremendous determination. Odysseus always had a meticulous task ahead of him, but no matter how hard the task, he never gave up on himself, his crew, and the men and woman back home. This hero shows resoluteness in his journey when he is left with a tough decision between sailing his ships between huge moving…

considered a hero today because of the traits he possesses; selflessness, courage and cleverness. Being selfless is an important characteristic for a hero to have. This trait allows one to put others and their needs first. Welles Crowther and Odysseus share this trait. Welles Crowther saved multiple groups of people from the burning twin tower buildings on September 11, 2001. Welles put his own life on the line to save random people and that is why Welles is known as a hero. Like Welles,…

Albert Einstein says that a man is defined by values rather than his success. Odysseus has many victories but he follows his morals religiously and does not break them regardless of desperation. Odysseus’s expedition was a treacherous trek that seemed near impossible. Odysseus had many opponents. One of them was Polyphemus (cyclops), the son of Poseidon, who trapped Odysseus and his crew in his cave. Another opponent Odysseus encountered was Calypso (nymph) who imprisoned Odysseus on the island…

importantly, is courageous. Courage is not having timidity and meekness, but acting with audacity. Courage does not look like a shriveled plant, but rather a bird taking flight for the very first time. Acting with courage means doing what no one else dares to do. In book twelve, Odysseus asks Circe, in regards to Charybdis and Scylla,” Deadly Charybdis- can 't I possibly cut and run from her and still fight Scylla of when Scylla strikes my men?” (275.124-125). Circe warns Odysseus about the…

Odysseus knew better because the cyclops put a stone in the entrance of the cave that was too big for the men to move. He ends up blinding the cyclops and loses a couple of men in the process. He then almost gets to Ithaca but his crew screws him over by opening a bag of wind and blowing them away from his home. He then encounters Laistrygones which are basically giants that wanted to eat Odysseus and his crew. They sink most of Odysseus’s fleet by throwing rocks at the boats. Odysseus also…

was. Odysseus reminds Achilles of his great feats while alive and in death. Odysseus’s kind actions toward Achilles show some of his superior leadership skills. Another good leadership skill is the ability to compromise. This is an important skill for someone in charge of others or setting examples for others. Being diplomatic helps to negotiate favorable terms for both parties in a disagreement. Odysseus makes many compromises and choices throughout The Odyssey. He has to choose between…

As Odysseus did in “Scylla and Charybdis” as well in “The Cattle of the Sun God” in The Odyssey. During Odysseus’ adventures to get home to Ithaka in Greece he learned many things especially in his encounters with the Scylla and Charybdis and the Sun God. “I told them nothing as they could do nothing they would have dropped their oars” (Homer 784-785). Odysseus did not trust his men as he had full right to because he knew how his men act in high stress situations. Odysseus’ judgment kept his men…