Book 9 begins a series of flashback narration that picks-up with the scattering of the Greek fleet after they set sail for home from Troy that was described at various points in the Books 1-4, most notably by Menelaus in Book 4.[1] This book covers Odysseus' encounters with the Cicones (a Thracian tribe); the Lotus Eaters; and Polyphemos, the cyclops. The Polyphemos episode is arguably the most famous encounter of the Odyssey, being very heavy-handed with repeated reinforcement of the overt themes of the epic. However, each encounter in Book 9 and, indeed, throughout Odysseus' story, follow a similar pattern of suppliant and supplicant interaction (xenia) that is then used to illustrate Homeric ideals of civilized or savage behavior while also situating proper action for humans in a world populated by gods, monsters, and (other) men.
Book 9 also begins the episodes of the epic for which the majority of the artwork surrounding the Odyssey exists. Not every episode was depicted with great frequency (or even at all) in antiquity, but those that were include the encounters with Polyphemos, Circe, shades from the underworld, the Sirens, and the Laestrygonians. As is often the case, the popularity of the various encounters in ancient art fluctuated with the historical period and medium used to depict them. Thus, we will engage more directly with art surrounding the Odyssey in Books 9 onward.
Sample text. Click to select the text box. Click again or double click to start editing the text.
Sample text. Click to select the text box. Click again or double click to start editing the text.
[1] This collection of essays follows the Essential Homer , which abridges Telemachus' conversation with Nestor at Pylos, but the scattering of the fleet is also a subject of discussion with Helen and, especially, Menelaus in the essay on Odyssey Books 2-4 during the discussion of the returns.
