Homer, Chapter 15 summary
Chapter 15 of 26 · 12 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 15, Ulysses tells Alcinous how his voyage from Troy brings deadly encounters, lost ships, and repeated failures to reach home. His cunning saves him from Polyphemus and Circe, but his taunts and his companions’ mistakes deepen his troubles, until Circe directs him toward the dead for guidance.
What happens
- After losses among the Ciconians, Ulysses forces companions who eat lotus back aboard because they no longer want to return home.
- Ulysses blinds Polyphemus and escapes beneath his sheep, but reveals his name while taunting him and draws the giant’s appeal to Neptune.
- Æolus supplies favorable sailing conditions, but the crew releases the captive winds near Ithaca, and Æolus refuses further help.
- The Laestrygonians destroy the ships inside their harbor; Ulysses escapes because his own ship lies outside.
- Mercury gives Ulysses protection against Circe, who restores his transformed companions; Ulysses then stays with her for a year.
- Prompted by his companions, Ulysses leaves Circe and reaches the dark country near the dead, seeking the prophet Tiresias.
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Why does Ulysses’ ship escape the Laestrygonians’ attack?
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