Book X, lines 1-148
Rouse, Pages 112-113
After their narrow escape from the Cyclops, Odysseus and his crew reach the floating island of Aiolos, who welcomes them with great hospitality. After a month of visiting, Odysseus and his men leave the island, but not before Aiolos can give Odysseus a very valuable gift: a bag containing the winds... After sailing nine days, the crew comes within sight of Ithaca; at this crucial point, Odysseus falls into a deep sleep. The men, curious about what the mysterious bag holds, decide to open it, thus releasing all of the winds and reversing the progress they have made on their voyage.
As you read, think about...
