Homer · tr. Bryant, 1871

Book XII · Episode 5 of 5

Shipwreck and Survival

Bolt sinks ship, Odysseus survives

Scenes

  1. The Fatal Tempest — Zeus’ bolt drowns entire crew
    • Odysseus returns to chide his men
    • Cattle skins creep, roasting flesh lows
    • Crew feasts on the herd six days
    • The falling mast kills the pilot
    • Sulfurous smoke fills the ship
  2. Adrift to Calypso — Odysseus escapes Charybdis, drifts to Calypso
    • A south wind sweeps him toward Charybdis
    • He clings to the overhanging fig tree
    • Whirlpool spews up his mast and keel
    • Zeus spares his second brush with Scylla
    • After nine days, Calypso welcomes him