Chapter Guides
Ulysses and his men head home after burning the city of Troy. They set sail for their home of Ithaca on 3 ships each with 50 men. They begin a smooth sail home and start to encounter yet another journey filled with Cyclopes, the dead, fierce winds, and much more. The purpose of this page is to inform you on all off the chapters in "The Adventures of Ulysses."
The Ships and Men, The Ciconians, and The Lotus-Eaters (Chapters 1-3)
The reason why the first 3 chapters are in one section is because of the length and the limited action. In this chapter the main character Ulysses, is introduced and so is Ulysses' crew. They are coming back from burning the city of Troy and encounter an island home to the Ciconians. On the island, the crew rests and they have a big fire and stay there for the night. However, high in the mountains, the Ciconian men assemble and form an exceptionally skilled army. They attack Ulysses' crew and are able to drive them off the island. After the crew leaves the island they encounter yet another island that is infested with Lotus flowers. The crew finds the Lotus flowers and starts devouring them because of their honey smell. The flowers have a spell within their pedals and anyone who eats the flowers will fall asleep and when they wake up, will eat more of the flowers. Ulysses gets the crew off of the island with chips of wood in his eyes to keep him from falling asleep. He loads the crew into their small skiffs and Ulysses sails away.
The reason why the first 3 chapters are in one section is because of the length and the limited action. In this chapter the main character Ulysses, is introduced and so is Ulysses' crew. They are coming back from burning the city of Troy and encounter an island home to the Ciconians. On the island, the crew rests and they have a big fire and stay there for the night. However, high in the mountains, the Ciconian men assemble and form an exceptionally skilled army. They attack Ulysses' crew and are able to drive them off the island. After the crew leaves the island they encounter yet another island that is infested with Lotus flowers. The crew finds the Lotus flowers and starts devouring them because of their honey smell. The flowers have a spell within their pedals and anyone who eats the flowers will fall asleep and when they wake up, will eat more of the flowers. Ulysses gets the crew off of the island with chips of wood in his eyes to keep him from falling asleep. He loads the crew into their small skiffs and Ulysses sails away.
The Cyclops Cave (Chapter 4)
The Cyclops Cave was basically the reason for all of the "bad luck" throughout Ulysses' journey home. The crew encounters the island of the Cyclops because of hunger. Ulysses picks 12 of the best members of his crew and sets out on this island to seek food. They come across a cave with sheep and rams in the back. The crew goes into the cave, but what they didn't know was that the animals were put there as a trap for Ulysses and his men. The trap was set by the Cyclops, Polyphemus. After the Cyclops closes the entrance to the cave he asks Ulysses his name and Ulysses replies that his name is nobody. Ulysses defeats the Cyclops by stabbing it in the eye and blinding it allowing them to escape. After Ulysses boards his ship with his men, he yells out to the Cyclops his real name "Ulysses" in a boastful manor. Polyphemus throws a boulder and kills many men and then asks his father, Poseidon, to make the crew's trip back to Ithaca miserable.
The Cyclops Cave was basically the reason for all of the "bad luck" throughout Ulysses' journey home. The crew encounters the island of the Cyclops because of hunger. Ulysses picks 12 of the best members of his crew and sets out on this island to seek food. They come across a cave with sheep and rams in the back. The crew goes into the cave, but what they didn't know was that the animals were put there as a trap for Ulysses and his men. The trap was set by the Cyclops, Polyphemus. After the Cyclops closes the entrance to the cave he asks Ulysses his name and Ulysses replies that his name is nobody. Ulysses defeats the Cyclops by stabbing it in the eye and blinding it allowing them to escape. After Ulysses boards his ship with his men, he yells out to the Cyclops his real name "Ulysses" in a boastful manor. Polyphemus throws a boulder and kills many men and then asks his father, Poseidon, to make the crew's trip back to Ithaca miserable.
The Keeper of the Winds and Cannibal Beach (Chapters 5-6)
Ulysses and his men are blown into the Keeper of the Winds after their encounter with Polyphemus. The crew comes upon the Island of the Winds and find a demigod that holds all of the winds. The Keeper has a humorous personality and loves to hear stories. A gift is given to Ulysses from the Keeper and the gift is a little bit of all of the winds except for the west wind which he let out as a guide for Ulysses to get home to Ithaca. If the bag of winds were to be punctured or unleashed the winds would get out and cause the ship to go off course. After the crew receives the bag and starts to head home the crew gets more and more curious why Ulysses never told them what was in the bag. After seeing this, Poseidon start to make a clinging sound with his clamps and makes it sound like their is loot in the bag. The crew decides as a team to go and puncture the bag while Ulysses is sleeping, to see what is in it. All the winds get out and destroy the ship and the ship floats back to the Keeper of the Winds. At the Keeper of the Winds', Ulysses tell the man that he let his guard down and let the crew take the bag. After the winds got out and the crew went back to the island, they set sail to encounter yet another problem at Cannibal Beach. At Cannibal Beach the crew discovers a big tree that they must climb to see all around the island. The tree turned out to be giant and Ulysses men ran into the ship and sailed away.
Ulysses and his men are blown into the Keeper of the Winds after their encounter with Polyphemus. The crew comes upon the Island of the Winds and find a demigod that holds all of the winds. The Keeper has a humorous personality and loves to hear stories. A gift is given to Ulysses from the Keeper and the gift is a little bit of all of the winds except for the west wind which he let out as a guide for Ulysses to get home to Ithaca. If the bag of winds were to be punctured or unleashed the winds would get out and cause the ship to go off course. After the crew receives the bag and starts to head home the crew gets more and more curious why Ulysses never told them what was in the bag. After seeing this, Poseidon start to make a clinging sound with his clamps and makes it sound like their is loot in the bag. The crew decides as a team to go and puncture the bag while Ulysses is sleeping, to see what is in it. All the winds get out and destroy the ship and the ship floats back to the Keeper of the Winds. At the Keeper of the Winds', Ulysses tell the man that he let his guard down and let the crew take the bag. After the winds got out and the crew went back to the island, they set sail to encounter yet another problem at Cannibal Beach. At Cannibal Beach the crew discovers a big tree that they must climb to see all around the island. The tree turned out to be giant and Ulysses men ran into the ship and sailed away.
Circe (Chapter 7)
After the tragic event with the giants on Cannibal Beach, Ulysses and his men beach upon another mysterious island. This island happens to be home to Circe the nymph. Circe lives in a castle were she sings beautiful songs and weaves. When the crew gets on this island they are split into 2 groups, one going to the castle and one guarding the ship. When the crew finds the castle they are confronted by a bunch of friendly animals such as wolves and lions. The crew carries on their journey into the castle to hear a beautiful singing voice coming from Circe. Circe greets them and asks them to have dinner with her. When the men started eating they suddenly started to look like pigs. It turns out that Circe is actually using her magic to turn them all into pigs. Back at the ship, Ulysses realizes that the crew isn't coming back and he decides to go to the castle. Using a little help from Hermes, Ulysses is able to avoid Circe's spell and save the men. They sail away leaving all the animals behind.
After the tragic event with the giants on Cannibal Beach, Ulysses and his men beach upon another mysterious island. This island happens to be home to Circe the nymph. Circe lives in a castle were she sings beautiful songs and weaves. When the crew gets on this island they are split into 2 groups, one going to the castle and one guarding the ship. When the crew finds the castle they are confronted by a bunch of friendly animals such as wolves and lions. The crew carries on their journey into the castle to hear a beautiful singing voice coming from Circe. Circe greets them and asks them to have dinner with her. When the men started eating they suddenly started to look like pigs. It turns out that Circe is actually using her magic to turn them all into pigs. Back at the ship, Ulysses realizes that the crew isn't coming back and he decides to go to the castle. Using a little help from Hermes, Ulysses is able to avoid Circe's spell and save the men. They sail away leaving all the animals behind.
Land of the Dead and the Wandering Rocks (Chapters 8-9
After the men survive Circe's island, they follow Circe's advice and go to the edge of the Earth where all of the dead are. Ulysses and his men start to encounter a lot of fog causing the ship to be uncontrollable. Ulysses tells Elpenor, a sailor among the surviving crew, to go to the top of the mast and look out to see if he could see any further. With the mast behind Ulysses, Ulysses was starting to fall asleep and by accident, knocked the mast causing Elpenor to fall. Although no one saw him fall from the mast, everyone heard the splash. As the crew came upon the Land of the Dead, Ulysses found many ghosts such as his mom, Achilles, Teiresias, Elpenor, and much more. All of the dead give Ulysses important information on how to survive the next couple days of sailing, going home. After Ulysses leaves the dead, he starts to see a weird substance floating around on the surface of the Ocean. He comes to realize that it is rocks following him. One of the dead did mention this but Ulysses as self reliant as he is, didn't listen. Ulysses and his boat started doing circles to see if the rocks would still follow them and they did. Eventually, although blown off course, the rocks did finally disappear.
After the men survive Circe's island, they follow Circe's advice and go to the edge of the Earth where all of the dead are. Ulysses and his men start to encounter a lot of fog causing the ship to be uncontrollable. Ulysses tells Elpenor, a sailor among the surviving crew, to go to the top of the mast and look out to see if he could see any further. With the mast behind Ulysses, Ulysses was starting to fall asleep and by accident, knocked the mast causing Elpenor to fall. Although no one saw him fall from the mast, everyone heard the splash. As the crew came upon the Land of the Dead, Ulysses found many ghosts such as his mom, Achilles, Teiresias, Elpenor, and much more. All of the dead give Ulysses important information on how to survive the next couple days of sailing, going home. After Ulysses leaves the dead, he starts to see a weird substance floating around on the surface of the Ocean. He comes to realize that it is rocks following him. One of the dead did mention this but Ulysses as self reliant as he is, didn't listen. Ulysses and his boat started doing circles to see if the rocks would still follow them and they did. Eventually, although blown off course, the rocks did finally disappear.
The Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis (Chapters 10-12)
After Ulysses and his crew faced the rocks, they were warned that there would be sirens that would sing to them and kill them by jumping overboard. Ulysses made everyone put wax in their ears to block any sound from creeping in. Then he told them to tie him to the mast so he could hear and see ahead. Once the Sirens were close, Ulysses tore free of the ropes and was about to jump overboard when his crew stopped him. The crew faced the sirens for about 10 dreadful minutes. Eventually the crew passed the sirens with no one lost or hurt. After the Sirens, the crew was forced to pass a narrow strait between 2 monsters. This strait was only big enough for the ship but not the extending oars. On one side was Charybdis who sucks in water and on the other side was Syclla who has 6 legs and reaches out and gets what ever she can grab. Luckily, the crew was able to get passed Charybdis but wasn't able to get passed Scylla because the oars reached out farther than the area the boat had to pass in the straight. The oars were snapped and six men were lost.
After Ulysses and his crew faced the rocks, they were warned that there would be sirens that would sing to them and kill them by jumping overboard. Ulysses made everyone put wax in their ears to block any sound from creeping in. Then he told them to tie him to the mast so he could hear and see ahead. Once the Sirens were close, Ulysses tore free of the ropes and was about to jump overboard when his crew stopped him. The crew faced the sirens for about 10 dreadful minutes. Eventually the crew passed the sirens with no one lost or hurt. After the Sirens, the crew was forced to pass a narrow strait between 2 monsters. This strait was only big enough for the ship but not the extending oars. On one side was Charybdis who sucks in water and on the other side was Syclla who has 6 legs and reaches out and gets what ever she can grab. Luckily, the crew was able to get passed Charybdis but wasn't able to get passed Scylla because the oars reached out farther than the area the boat had to pass in the straight. The oars were snapped and six men were lost.
The Cattle of the Sun (Chapter 13)
When the crew landed on the next island, they knew what was on it. This island had one specific game that if one killed it in any way, would bring swift doom upon the poacher. This specific game was called the "Sun's Cattle." The Sun's Cattle were a type of cow that would graze upon the island. Being owned by the Sun God, these cows were very precious. As the men unloaded on to the beach, Ulysses made Eurylochus and Perimedes in charge of finding food. A month later, when Ulysses was out of sight, Eurylochus suggested that they should kill the Sun's Cattle due to starvation. The crew set on the cattle and killed six of the cows. When they got back to Ulysses who was sleeping, they cooked the meat fast so Ulysses couldn't see the glow on the skin. When Ulysses woke up he started feasting along with the others on the cow. Then, the crew saw a north wind blowing and said that they should go now and so they tried again to sail to Ithaca.
When the crew landed on the next island, they knew what was on it. This island had one specific game that if one killed it in any way, would bring swift doom upon the poacher. This specific game was called the "Sun's Cattle." The Sun's Cattle were a type of cow that would graze upon the island. Being owned by the Sun God, these cows were very precious. As the men unloaded on to the beach, Ulysses made Eurylochus and Perimedes in charge of finding food. A month later, when Ulysses was out of sight, Eurylochus suggested that they should kill the Sun's Cattle due to starvation. The crew set on the cattle and killed six of the cows. When they got back to Ulysses who was sleeping, they cooked the meat fast so Ulysses couldn't see the glow on the skin. When Ulysses woke up he started feasting along with the others on the cow. Then, the crew saw a north wind blowing and said that they should go now and so they tried again to sail to Ithaca.
Calypso (Chapter 14)
Next, Ulysses and his men face the wrath of the Sun God and all of the men get throne overboard. Ulysses finds a piece of driftwood and floats to an island that he doesn't know. When he wakes up after sleeping he is greeted by a nymph called Calypso. When Calypso get washed up men, if she doesn't like them she will turn them into an animal that best describes them, similar to Circe. Calypso gave Ulysses food, water, new clothes, and hospitality. Calypso turns out to be a sorcerer so she can tell what will happen next, she told Ulysses about his wife and his son. When Calypso is forced to let Ulysses leave, it very hard. Calypso gives Ulysses a ship small enough for one man and strong enough for the sea. Once Ulysses starts to row, Poseidon see his ship while he is coming back from the horn of Africa. Once again, Poseidon creates another storm and destroys Ulysses boat and makes him fend for his life while holding on to a piece of drift wood.
Next, Ulysses and his men face the wrath of the Sun God and all of the men get throne overboard. Ulysses finds a piece of driftwood and floats to an island that he doesn't know. When he wakes up after sleeping he is greeted by a nymph called Calypso. When Calypso get washed up men, if she doesn't like them she will turn them into an animal that best describes them, similar to Circe. Calypso gave Ulysses food, water, new clothes, and hospitality. Calypso turns out to be a sorcerer so she can tell what will happen next, she told Ulysses about his wife and his son. When Calypso is forced to let Ulysses leave, it very hard. Calypso gives Ulysses a ship small enough for one man and strong enough for the sea. Once Ulysses starts to row, Poseidon see his ship while he is coming back from the horn of Africa. Once again, Poseidon creates another storm and destroys Ulysses boat and makes him fend for his life while holding on to a piece of drift wood.
Ino's Veil and Nausicaa (Chapter 15-16)
While Ulysses is getting beaten by the storm, he realizes that their is another being on the mast with him. When the being and Ulysses meet, the being lends Ulysses a veil that will float as a guide to the shores. Ulysses takes off after the shore and comes upon a set of rocks. Ulysses holds on to the rocks, when the tide is coming in he holds on for his life but as the tide went out he took the current and propelled him self towards the shore. After getting beaten by the rocks, Ulysses gets to the beach with little to no strength. He crawls upon the shore with the intention to get wood for a fire but doesn't make it to the trees before he collapses.
Nausicaa was a princess with very precise thoughts on who to pick to be married to. One night, Nausicaa had a dream to go to the river (the same river Ulysses is at) and clean her clothes to prepare for an unknown wedding. When Nausicaa leaves with her friends, she brings a cart with all of the clothes and a ball. When the girls get to the water they clean their clothes and then they decide to play ball. After a couple throws, a throw goes long and rolls upon where Ulysses is. The girls discover Ulysses and invite him back to their town on behalf of Nausicaa. After Ulysses greets Nausicaa's parents and tells them his stories, they give Ulysses new clothes and a new crew to sail back to Ithaca with. Ulysses leaves in the boat also given to him, and once again encounters Poseidon for another brutal brawl.
While Ulysses is getting beaten by the storm, he realizes that their is another being on the mast with him. When the being and Ulysses meet, the being lends Ulysses a veil that will float as a guide to the shores. Ulysses takes off after the shore and comes upon a set of rocks. Ulysses holds on to the rocks, when the tide is coming in he holds on for his life but as the tide went out he took the current and propelled him self towards the shore. After getting beaten by the rocks, Ulysses gets to the beach with little to no strength. He crawls upon the shore with the intention to get wood for a fire but doesn't make it to the trees before he collapses.
Nausicaa was a princess with very precise thoughts on who to pick to be married to. One night, Nausicaa had a dream to go to the river (the same river Ulysses is at) and clean her clothes to prepare for an unknown wedding. When Nausicaa leaves with her friends, she brings a cart with all of the clothes and a ball. When the girls get to the water they clean their clothes and then they decide to play ball. After a couple throws, a throw goes long and rolls upon where Ulysses is. The girls discover Ulysses and invite him back to their town on behalf of Nausicaa. After Ulysses greets Nausicaa's parents and tells them his stories, they give Ulysses new clothes and a new crew to sail back to Ithaca with. Ulysses leaves in the boat also given to him, and once again encounters Poseidon for another brutal brawl.
The Return Home (Chapter 17)
Ulysses makes it home after a brutal 20 years at sea and Troy. He comes home to having his wife being surrounded by suitors wanting to be her new king. When Ulysses gets back, he acts like an old beggar and comes upon a home in which he is invited. Ulysses devises a plan to get the queen back, involving his son and the house keeper that he stayed with when he got to Ithaca. They get into the castle where the queen is staying at to greet the Queen. Ulysses gets to meet the queen as if he is one of the suitors and talks about Ulysses and his journey. Ulysses convinces his wife to have a archery contest with Ulysses' bow to see who can get an arrow through 12 rings. The winner would be crowned her husband. The archery test takes place and none of the suitors can bend the bow string back. All of the suitors have tried to shoot the bow except for Eurymachus and Antinous. Eurymachus gets the bow and insists on putting tallow on the bow and resting it by the fire to loosen the wood up on the bow. Eurymachus picks up the bow and tries to shoot, but he can't bend it back. After Eurymachus' fail he attacks Telemachus for holding this contest and making everyone look like a fool. Ulysses jumps from the bushes he was hiding in and yells "Stop!" Ulysses asks Eurymachus to hand him the bow, and so he does. Ulysses pulls back an arrow and shoots it through all 12 rings. After the winning of the queen all of the suitors attack Ulysses, his son, and his friend. Ulysses and his crew run towards the dinning hall and make a barrier to shoot from with benches. Ulysses plucks off each suitor until he scares the rest away by throwing a stone brick and killing 4 suitors. In the end Ulysses gets his queen back and his son.
Ulysses makes it home after a brutal 20 years at sea and Troy. He comes home to having his wife being surrounded by suitors wanting to be her new king. When Ulysses gets back, he acts like an old beggar and comes upon a home in which he is invited. Ulysses devises a plan to get the queen back, involving his son and the house keeper that he stayed with when he got to Ithaca. They get into the castle where the queen is staying at to greet the Queen. Ulysses gets to meet the queen as if he is one of the suitors and talks about Ulysses and his journey. Ulysses convinces his wife to have a archery contest with Ulysses' bow to see who can get an arrow through 12 rings. The winner would be crowned her husband. The archery test takes place and none of the suitors can bend the bow string back. All of the suitors have tried to shoot the bow except for Eurymachus and Antinous. Eurymachus gets the bow and insists on putting tallow on the bow and resting it by the fire to loosen the wood up on the bow. Eurymachus picks up the bow and tries to shoot, but he can't bend it back. After Eurymachus' fail he attacks Telemachus for holding this contest and making everyone look like a fool. Ulysses jumps from the bushes he was hiding in and yells "Stop!" Ulysses asks Eurymachus to hand him the bow, and so he does. Ulysses pulls back an arrow and shoots it through all 12 rings. After the winning of the queen all of the suitors attack Ulysses, his son, and his friend. Ulysses and his crew run towards the dinning hall and make a barrier to shoot from with benches. Ulysses plucks off each suitor until he scares the rest away by throwing a stone brick and killing 4 suitors. In the end Ulysses gets his queen back and his son.