Homer · tr. Bryant, 1871

Book X · Episode 2 of 6

Landfall at Aeaea

Crew lands at Aeaea, feasts on stag

Scenes

  1. Landing at Aeaea — Survivors land, Odysseus kills stag
    • Grief follows the loss of comrades
    • Aeaea is home to fair-haired Circè
    • He climbs a height on day three
    • Smoke rises from a woodland palace
    • A god sends the stag his way
  2. A Feast on the Shore — Odysseus urges despairing men to feast
    • He warns against Hades’ realm too soon
    • Food and wine still remain aboard
    • Men marvel at the huge stag’s size
    • They feast from morning until sunset
    • At dawn he calls a council
  3. Smoke in the Woods — Odysseus spots smoke, men weep
    • He cannot tell east from west here
    • Smoke rose from a thicket he scouted
    • Their courage collapses at the news
    • Men recall Antiphates and the Cyclops
    • Tears bring them no real help
  4. Drawing Lots — Lots send Eurylochus forward in tears
    • Men split into two companies
    • Eurylochus leads the second company
    • They shake lots in a bronze helmet
    • Twenty-two men follow him out
    • Odysseus and the rest stay behind