Ulysses finally tells King Alcinous who he is. His name is Ulysses, son of Laertes, from the island of Ithaca. He is famous for clever tricks, but heaven has laid heavy sorrows on him. He agrees to tell the story of his long journey home from Troy.
His first stop was Ismarus, home of the Cicons. His men raided the town and took loot, but they would not leave when he ordered it. They stayed drinking on the beach until enemy reinforcements arrived and killed six men from every ship. Later they reached the land of the Lotus-eaters. Some of his men ate the flower and forgot they wanted to go home. Ulysses dragged them back to the ships by force and sailed away.
Next they came to an island near the land of the Cyclopes. Ulysses and twelve men entered a giant's cave to see who lived there. His crew wanted to steal cheese and run, but he insisted on meeting the owner. The Cyclops Polyphemus came home, blocked the cave with a huge stone, and ate two men for dinner. He ate two more at breakfast. Ulysses could not kill him inside the sealed cave, so he sharpened a stake, got the monster drunk on strong wine, and blinded his one eye while he slept. He told Polyphemus his name was Nobody.
When other Cyclopes heard Polyphemus cry that Nobody was hurting him, they went away. Ulysses tied his men under the bellies of the rams and they escaped when the flock went out. Once the ship was offshore, Ulysses could not stay quiet. He shouted his real name and mocked the blind giant. Polyphemus prayed to his father Neptune to destroy Ulysses and delay his homecoming. The curse was granted, and Ulysses sailed on with fewer men and a furious god against him.
Coming Up in Chapter 10
Ulysses's troubles are just beginning. Next, he'll encounter Aeolus, the keeper of the winds, who offers him a gift that seems too good to be true, and his men's distrust will prove catastrophic. Then comes an encounter with cannibalistic giants that makes the Cyclops look friendly by comparison.
