What is the story of Scylla and Charybdis?
Scylla and Charybdis, in Greek mythology, two immortal and irresistible monsters who beset the narrow waters traversed by the hero Odysseus in his wanderings described in Homer’s Odyssey, Book XII. From her lair in a cave she devoured whatever ventured within reach, including six of Odysseus’s companions.
What is the main idea of Scylla and Charybdis?
The main theme of the story is loyalty. Odysseus’s men had to be loyal to him although many other things could have distracted them; Odysseus gave them a plan and they had to follow it. The siren song and even fear of Scylla would have caused them to run away but instead they stayed loyal to their leader.
What happened with Scylla and Odysseus?
As they pass the island of the Siren’s the men put wax in their ears and lash Odysseus to the mast and they pass without incident. When they came to Charybdis they carefully sail around the whirlpool, and Scylla grabbed and ate six men. Filled with grief and pity, the men sail away as fast as possible.
What is the story of Scylla?
Scylla was a supernatural female creature, with 12 feet and six heads on long snaky necks, each head having a triple row of sharklike teeth, while her loins were girdled by the heads of baying dogs. From her lair in a cave she devoured whatever ventured within reach, including six of Odysseus’s companions.
Did Odysseus choose Scylla or Charybdis?
Odysseus chooses to sail closer to Scylla, the six headed monster, rather than sailing near the whirlpool Charybdis. He decides that sacrificing six men to Scylla is better than chancing his entire ship to Charybdis.
Why is Scylla important to the Odyssey?
In Greek mythology, Scylla represents one of a choice between two evils. As Circe tells Odysseus, Scylla can’t be killed, so the only defense is to run away as quickly as possible in order to limit the damage she is able to do.