Reading Notes: Homer's Odyssey, Part B

 The Ghosts of Famous Women

Plot: Heracles, Alcmene's son, marry Creon's daughter, Megara. Jocasta, mother of Oedipus, wed her own son on accident when her son killed her husband. Eriphyle sold her husband's life for gold.

 Ghost of Ajax

Plot: Tityos lay on the ground spread out over hundred of yards while vulture eating his entrails. He was punished for raping Leto, Zeus' consort. Tantalus tortured in pool of water reaching his chin. He was tortured by thirst and every time he try to drink, the water retreated and vanished. Every time he reach up to get fruits (pears, apples, pomegranates, sweet figs, ripe olives), the wind would move them away. Sisyphus tortured by rolling a stone up a hill over and over. 

The Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis

Plot: To escape The Sirens, the men stuff their ears with wax except for Odysseus. He want his men to tie him to the mast. They decided to sail near Scylla (rocks) instead of Charybdis (whirlpool). All his men died except for him.

 

Source: Scylla and Charybdis by Ary Renan (1857-1900).

Bibliography: "Homer's Odyssey." Written by Homer and translated to English by Tony Kline (2004). Web source.