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Down through the Gaping Hole—and up the Fig Tree.

The article focuses on the narrative's forming of the fateful return of Odysseus to sea monster Charybdis, focusing on what make him compelled to confront the swallowing eddy. It discusses the importance of a close analysis of Chabrydis and her unique combination of whirlpool, rock and fig tree for...

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Published in:Helios Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 179 - 208
Main Author: HAN TRAN
Format: Article
Published: Texas Tech University Press Fall2015
Subjects:
Odysseus, King of Ithaca (Mythological character)
Scylla & Charybdis (Greek mythology)
Whirlpools (Water currents)
Fig
Heroes
Survival behavior (Humans)
Conquerors
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Summary:The article focuses on the narrative's forming of the fateful return of Odysseus to sea monster Charybdis, focusing on what make him compelled to confront the swallowing eddy. It discusses the importance of a close analysis of Chabrydis and her unique combination of whirlpool, rock and fig tree for exploring her pair with Scylla, and the role of monsters in shaping Odysseus as a distinctive epic hero. It says that Odysseus used his skill to survive against odds and not as a supreme conqueror.