Now Odysseus continues his big adventure story. He and his men travel from Polyphemos' island to the home of Aiolos, Ruler of the Winds. He is very hospitable. He even gives Odysseus a bag containing wind. Odysseus can now use the winds to direct his ships towards Ithaka.
They actually come in sight of their beloved homeland, but his men become suspicious and greedy with Aiolos' gift. The open it believing it to be gold and silver. They get blown all the way back to Aiolos' home. Now he's not quite so hospitable. He knows the gods are angry with Odysseus. They don't have the same warm welcome.
But wait...it gets worse. They row to the land of Laistrygonia. And we have giants! A guy gets eaten, and then all but Odysseus' ship gets crushed with rocks.
Now to the coolest part. Aiaia. Home to Circe, a witch goddess. Odysseus sends a good number of men to explore the land. They happen across Circe's home. One man stays out cause he's suspicious. But she seems nice. Even offers them wine. Then all the men who drank wine turn into pigs. What?!?! And not just the pigs that men normally turn into after a few drinks. A little redundant, right? Men turning into pigs. They become full-blown pigs. Little tails, snouts and everything.
The suspicious guy flies back to tell the horrible tale. Now Odysseus goes to get his men back. Along the way Hermes meets our hero and tells him how to defeat Circe. Also gives him something that will negate the effects of her wine.
Odysseus arrives, and is offered the wine. Once she sees that he's not turning, he lunges at her with his sword. She quickly backs down and supplicates Odysseus.
Now we come to the most interesting part of the chapter. She asks him to bed so that "lying in the bed of love, [they] may have faith and trust in each other." Is this what sex meant to ancient Greeks? A sign of trust? I have come to agree that sex should be the ultimate sign of trust, love and faith between two people. And yet...most people have sex only to have their partners betray them a couple months down the road.
What happened to the sacredness of sex? I know we love it. I know that it seems to be something that we are a little too obsessed with. So why do we seem to hold it in such high regards, but simultaneously treat it like a dime-a-dozen activity? Let me know what you think. Back to the story.
Odysseus agrees only if she promises not to plan anymore evil against him. She did try to change him into a pig. Afterward, his men get changed back into humans, and he and all his men live with Circe for a full year. Drinking and eating to their pleasure. Pretty sweet deal. Very worth almost permanently becoming a pig.
But after a while, everyone wants to go home. Circe informs them that they must ask a blind prophet in Hades to give them directions. Here we go again.
Hope you enjoyed. Goodnight. Bye.
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