batch.motif.greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg-l4680-l4781
---
record_id: batch.motif.greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg-l4680-l4781
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
passage_locator:
label: BOOK VIII / BOOK IX / BOOK X / AEOLUS, THE LAESTRYGONES, CIRCE.; lines 4680-4781
start: '4680'
end: '4781'
translation: The Odyssey
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Circe restores and hosts Ulysses' men for a year. When they ask to resume
the voyage home, Ulysses petitions Circe, who tells him he must first travel to
Hades and Proserpine to consult the ghost of Teiresias. She gives detailed directions
across Oceanus to the underworld shore and prescribes offerings, sacrifice, and
guarding the blood until Teiresias speaks. At dawn Ulysses prepares his men to
depart, but Elpenor dies by falling from Circe's roof, and Ulysses tells the men
their next journey is to Hades.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Circe has the men left behind washed, anointed with olive oil, clothed, and
seated at dinner in her house.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The reunited men recognize one another and weep aloud for joy.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Circe invites Ulysses and his men to stay, eat, and drink until they recover
strength and cheerfulness.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Ulysses and his men remain with Circe for a whole year, feasting on meat and
wine.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: After a year, the men remind Ulysses to think about going home if he is to
see his house and native country.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Ulysses asks Circe to keep her promise to further his homeward voyage.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: Circe says Ulysses must travel to the house of Hades and Proserpine before
sailing home.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:8
text: Circe says Ulysses must consult the ghost of the blind Theban prophet Teiresias,
who retains understanding in death.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: Ulysses is dismayed, weeps, and asks who will guide him on a voyage to a port
no ship can reach.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: Circe says no guide is needed; the North Wind will carry the ship after the
mast and sails are raised.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: Circe describes a route over Oceanus to Proserpine's country, with poplars,
willows, the rivers Pyriphlegethon, Cocytus, Styx, and Acheron, and a rock near
the meeting of rivers.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: Circe instructs Ulysses to dig a cubit-sized trench and pour offerings of
honey mixed with milk, wine, and water, with white barley meal.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:13
text: Circe instructs Ulysses to pray to the ghosts and promise sacrifices in Ithaca,
including a barren heifer and a black sheep for Teiresias.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:14
text: Circe instructs Ulysses to sacrifice a ram and black ewe, pray to Hades and
Proserpine, draw his sword, and prevent other ghosts from approaching the blood
before Teiresias answers.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:15
text: Circe says Teiresias will tell Ulysses about the stages of his voyage and
how to reach home by sea.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:16
text: At daybreak Circe dresses Ulysses, dresses herself, and Ulysses tells the
men they must leave because Circe has told him all about it.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:17
text: Elpenor, drunk and sleeping on Circe's roof, wakes suddenly, forgets the staircase,
falls from the roof, breaks his neck, and his soul goes to Hades.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:18
text: Ulysses tells the assembled men they are not starting home but must go to
Hades and Proserpine to consult Teiresias.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Circe
description: A goddess who hosts Ulysses and his men, gives food and clothing, and
gives instructions for the journey to Hades.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- ev:11
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Ulysses
description: Noble son of Laertes; asks Circe to further his homeward voyage and
receives instructions for consulting Teiresias in Hades.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:10
- ev:13
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Ulysses' men
description: Companions who are restored in Circe's house, feast for a year, urge
Ulysses to think of home, and are told the next journey is to Hades.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:13
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Teiresias
description: The ghost of the blind Theban prophet whose understanding remains in
death and who is to answer Ulysses' questions about the voyage home.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:10
- ev:13
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Hades
description: Ruler associated with the underworld house to which Ulysses must go
and to whom sacrifice and prayer are directed.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:10
- ev:13
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Proserpine
description: Underworld goddess associated with the destination and the country
near Oceanus; she has left Teiresias his understanding in death.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:10
- ev:13
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: ghosts of the dead
description: Poor feeble ghosts who are to receive prayers and offerings and may
come toward the blood.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Elpenor
description: A young companion, not remarkable for sense or courage, who is drunk
on Circe's roof and dies by falling from it.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
roles:
- id: role:1
label: divine hostess
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Circe provides washing, anointing, clothing, dinner, and a prolonged feast
for the men.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:2
label: ritual and route instructor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Circe gives the required destination, route, offerings, sacrifices, and conduct
for consulting Teiresias.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: role:3
label: homeward voyager
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Ulysses asks Circe to help him return home and later tells the men the journey
must go first to Hades.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:13
- id: role:4
label: underworld petitioner
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Ulysses is instructed to pray, pour offerings, sacrifice, guard the blood,
and question Teiresias.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: role:5
label: companions seeking return
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The men urge Ulysses to think of going home and follow his command to leave.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:11
- id: role:6
label: dead prophet and guide to future voyage
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Teiresias retains understanding in death and will tell Ulysses how to sail
home.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:10
- id: role:7
label: underworld ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:6
basis: The destination is the house of Hades and Proserpine, and sacrifices and
prayers are directed to them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:10
- id: role:8
label: dead recipients of offerings
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The ghosts receive prayers, libations, promised sacrifices, and may approach
the blood.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: role:9
label: unfortunate dead companion
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Elpenor falls from the roof, breaks his neck, and his soul goes to Hades
before the underworld journey begins.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: underworld house
literal_form: house of Hades and Proserpine
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:13
- id: sym:2
label: Oceanus crossing
literal_form: waters of Oceanus traversed by ship
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:3
label: underworld river confluence
literal_form: Pyriphlegethon, Cocytus, Styx, and Acheron meeting near a rock
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:4
label: groves of Proserpine's country
literal_form: groves of tall poplars and willows that shed their fruit untimely
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:5
label: libation mixture
literal_form: honey mixed with milk, wine, water, and white barley meal poured into
a trench
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- milk
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:6
label: sacrificial blood guarded by sword
literal_form: blood of a ram and black ewe, with Ulysses drawing his sword to keep
ghosts away until Teiresias speaks
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:7
label: black sheep for Teiresias
literal_form: a black sheep promised to Teiresias alone
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: sym:8
label: North Wind conveyance
literal_form: North Wind blowing the ship to the destination
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Restoration and reunion in Circe's house
summary: Circe has the left-behind men washed, anointed, clothed, and fed; the companions
recognize one another and weep for joy.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Year of feasting and renewed desire for home
summary: Ulysses and his men remain with Circe for a year feasting on meat and wine,
until the men urge Ulysses to think of returning home.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Petition to Circe and command to visit Hades
summary: Ulysses asks Circe to fulfill her promise about the homeward voyage, and
Circe says he must first go to Hades and Proserpine to consult Teiresias.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:4
label: Route to the underworld shore
summary: Circe explains that the North Wind will carry the ship across Oceanus to
Proserpine's country, near groves, rivers, and a rock marking the underworld approach.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:5
label: Necromantic offerings and sacrifice
summary: Circe prescribes a trench, libations, prayers, promised offerings, animal
sacrifice, and guarding the blood until Teiresias answers Ulysses' questions.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: scene:6
label: Dawn departure and Elpenor's death
summary: At daybreak Ulysses rouses the men to leave; Elpenor, drunk on the roof,
falls, breaks his neck, and his soul goes to Hades.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: scene:7
label: Announcement of the underworld detour
summary: Ulysses tells the men they are not immediately going home, but must go
to Hades and Proserpine to consult Teiresias.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: hero's journey to the underworld before return
taxonomy_refs:
- hero_descent
- return
basis: Ulysses seeks homeward passage, but Circe says he must first go to the house
of Hades and Proserpine.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:13
confidence: high
cautions: The passage contains the instruction and departure preparation, not the
completed descent itself.
- id: motif:2
label: afterlife journey map with boundary waters and landmarks
taxonomy_refs:
- afterlife_journey_map
basis: Circe gives a route over Oceanus to Proserpine's shore and identifies groves,
rivers, a rock, and the dark abode of Hades.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The described geography is given as instructions rather than narrated
travel in this passage.
- id: motif:3
label: consulting the dead prophet for knowledge of the way home
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: Teiresias retains understanding in death and is expected to tell Ulysses
the stages of his voyage and how to reach home.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The actual consultation occurs outside this passage.
- id: motif:4
label: offerings and blood sacrifice to summon or manage the dead
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
- sacred_exchange
basis: Circe prescribes libations, prayers, promised sacrifices, animal sacrifice,
and guarding the blood until Teiresias answers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: high
cautions: The ritual is prescribed but not yet performed within this passage.
- id: motif:5
label: fatal misadventure of a companion before departure
taxonomy_refs:
- death_rebirth
basis: Elpenor dies by falling from the roof, and his soul goes down to Hades just
before the group departs toward Hades.
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage reports death and descent of the soul, but no rebirth is present;
taxonomy fit is partial.
- id: motif:6
label: delay in a divine woman's house before resuming the quest
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_beloved
- departure
basis: Ulysses stays a year with Circe feasting before his men urge him to resume
the homeward journey.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage names Circe as a goddess and shows intimacy with Ulysses,
but does not itself frame her as a beloved.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage supports comparison with an underworld-descent motif in which
a hero must visit the realm of the dead before completing a return journey.
claim_level: same_motif
target: hero_descent / afterlife_journey_map
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:13
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The passage gives instructions and preparation; the descent is not
narrated here.
- id: claim:2
claim: The passage supports comparison with ritualized consultation of the dead,
where offerings and blood sacrifice mediate access to prophetic knowledge.
claim_level: same_function
target: necromantic sacrifice for wisdom from the dead
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: No cross-cultural or historical relationship is established by the
passage alone.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 4680-4686
quote_or_summary: Circe has the men washed, anointed with olive oil, clothed in
woollen garments, and found at dinner; they recognize one another and weep for
joy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 4686-4694
quote_or_summary: Circe tells Ulysses to stop the crying, acknowledges their sufferings
at sea and among savages, and invites them to stay, eat, and drink until strong
again.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 4696-4698
quote_or_summary: They stay with Circe for a whole twelvemonth, feasting on meat
and wine.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 4698-4702
quote_or_summary: When the year has passed, the men tell Ulysses it is time to think
about going home if he is to see his house and country.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 4704-4712
quote_or_summary: After feasting, Ulysses gets into bed with Circe and asks her
to keep her promise about furthering his homeward voyage.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 4714-4720
quote_or_summary: Circe says they need not stay, but must first go to the house
of Hades and Proserpine to consult the ghost of Teiresias, who retains understanding
in death.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 4722-4726
quote_or_summary: Ulysses is dismayed, weeps, and asks who will guide him on the
voyage, saying the house of Hades is a port no ship can reach.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 4728-4737
quote_or_summary: Circe says no guide is needed; the North Wind will carry the ship
across Oceanus to Proserpine's shore, groves, the rivers Pyriphlegethon, Cocytus,
Styx, Acheron, and a rock near the river meeting.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 4739-4749
quote_or_summary: Circe instructs Ulysses to dig a cubit-sized trench, pour libations
of honey-milk, wine, and water with barley, pray to the ghosts, and promise sacrifices
including a black sheep for Teiresias.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 4751-4761
quote_or_summary: Circe instructs sacrifice of a ram and black ewe, prayers to Hades
and Proserpine, and guarding the blood with a drawn sword until Teiresias comes
and tells Ulysses how to reach home.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: lines 4763-4771
quote_or_summary: At daybreak Circe dresses Ulysses and herself; Ulysses goes through
the house telling the men not to sleep any longer because Circe has told him all.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: lines 4773-4779
quote_or_summary: Elpenor, drunk and sleeping on the roof, wakes suddenly, forgets
the stairs, falls off the roof, breaks his neck, and his soul goes to Hades.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
- id: ev:13
type: summary
locator: lines 4780-4781
quote_or_summary: Ulysses tells the men they think they are going home, but Circe
has explained they must go to Hades and Proserpine to consult Teiresias.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/greek/project-gutenberg/odyssey-butler.md
rights_note: Public domain source text; concise summary.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The narrative details and ritual instructions are explicit. Some motif-family
assignments, especially divine beloved and death_rebirth for Elpenor, are broader
and require human review.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Used only the supplied passage and metadata. Taxonomy references were limited to the provided motif families and symbols.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:greek-odyssey-butler-gutenberg__l4680-l4781
passage_sha256=3bfa2f0902a6c5d7bc86192bcaceef81065991c81dc17319fb46cc4377a028cd