Odysseus announces his name, and begins to tell his adventures since the fall of Ilion. First, that he greatly misses his home, better even than the island where Kalypso seduced him, better than the other island where Circe did the same.
First the island of Ismaros, home of the Kikonians. Odysseus and his men sack and plunder. Then feast, rather than leaving early. The Kikonians call in reinforcements and raid the camp; many of Odysseus's men are killed, while the rest flee.
Next the island of the Lotus-Eaters. A scout team was sent to the city, but they were taken in by the promise of eating endless Lotus and wouldn't return. Odysseus forced them back bound and left quickly.
Next the land of the Cyclopes, a wild race living on uncivilized islands-- uncivilized because there was no need to be. The crops cultivated themselves. Odysseus lands on uninhabited island, teeming with wild sheep and goats. They feast on 108. One ship sent to the next island over to learn about the Cyclopian people. From there, a small team led by Odysseus go to explore the cave of the giant man living on this island.
They find flocks of sheep and goats in pens within the cave. Alone, they eat the cheese that is being prepared. Odysseus's companions want to leave quickly with a bounty of animals; Odysseus thinks it better to wait for the giant and try to win presents as visitors.
The giant returns, rolls a giant stone in the mouth of the cave, and milks the goats. Noticing the men, Odysseus announces who they are and asks for hospitality, in the name of Zeus. Giant doesn't respect Zeus, but asks where their ship is. Sensing danger, Odysseus says it was crushed and the remaining men are dead. Giant eats kills and eats two men for dinner. Next morning, he eats two for breakfast, then leaves the cave with the remaining men inside.
Odysseus hatches a plan, prepares a giant spear for later. Giant returns, eats two more men. Odysseus offers some of the potent wine he brought from the ship. Giant enjoys it and asks for more, offering a gift if Odysseus obliges and tells his name. He does, but says his name is "Nobody"; giant: "Your gift is that I'll eat you last." After more wine, he falls asleep drunk (and belches up human parts, apparently). Odysseus and his men drive the red-hot spear through his eye.
Giant runs out of the cave, while other Cyclopes run to his aid. "Polyphemos (his name), what happened?" Polyphemos: "Nobody is trying to kill me." Other Cyclopes: "In that case, you're being harmed by Zeus. Pray to your father Poseidon for relief."
Polyphemos sits at cave entrance and feels ground for men trying to escape. Odysseus ties his men underneath sheep, and they escape detection as they leave the cave. Drive the sheep back to the boat and push off, but Odysseus taunts Polyphemos, who tosses a boulder in the sea that pulls the ship back to shore. The boat quickly shoves off again. Farther away, against the wishes of the men, Odysseus taunts Polyphemos again and announces his true name.
Polyphemos: "That explains it. There was a prophecy that I would be harmed at the hands of Odysseus. Let me ask my father Poseidon to heal me and help me get back." Odysseus: "Even your father can never heal the wound I inflicted." Polyphemos: "In that case, let me ask Poseidon to make the rest of your journey difficult and miserable, and if you ever return to Ithaka, find your household in disarray." Throws another stone that roils the sea.
Odysseus returns to uninhabited island. They feast, and Odysseus makes sacrifice to Zeus for passage home, to no avail. They set sail again.
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Saved, at least in part, by a pun? I'm awfully glad that literary cleverness has come a long way since then. Not bad for a first stab at it though, Homer.
Odysseus acts like an idiot in this book. Most of his decisions turn out very, very badly, except for the escape. By having Polyphemos announce the prophecy, though, it makes it ambiguous whether this failure is really Odysseus's own fault. Could the prophecy have been avoided? Now that the gods are involved, are Odysseus's coming travails in any way avoidable? What use will his cleverness actually be if it does not allow him to escape fate? The ultimate question...
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