Eurylochus in The Odyssey: Second in Command, First in Cowardice
Eurylochus in The Odyssey represents a specific archetype in fiction. He is quick to complain and criticize but often afraid to act himself. When he does take action, his decisions can be rash and lead to trouble for himself and others.
What sort of grumpy mischief did Eurylochus create? Let’s find out!
Who Is Eurylochus in The Odyssey and Greek Mythology?
Though he is not mentioned by name in The Iliad, one can infer that Eurylochus served under Odysseus’ command during the Trojan War. He was second in command of the Ithacan fleet on the way home. Eurylochus and Odysseus were related by marriage; Eurylochus married Odysseus’ sister, Ctimene.
The text of The Odyssey does not mention specifically whether the two were friends, but at one point in the narrative, Odysseus describes Eurylochus as “godlike.” Of course, several stanzas later, Odysseus is so angry with Eurylochus that he considers removing Eurylochus’ head.
Perimedes and Eurylochus appear as a helpful duo for Odysseus during some recorded adventures. In the land of the dead, the pair hold the sacrificial sheep while Odysseus slits its throat, offering its blood so that the dead will speak to them. When Odysseus wants to hear the song of the Sirens with angelic voices, Perimedes, and Eurylochus ensure that he remains securely lashed to the ship’s mast until they are safely past the Sirens’ island.
However, much of Eurylochus’ behavior during the journey is not helpful. Sometimes he shows true cowardice; at other times, he is moody and defiant. In fact, he is technically responsible for the final fate of Odysseus’ crew. Let’s explore the parts of The Odyssey where Eurylochus plays a significant role.
Eurylochus on Circe’s Island: Hesitation Proves Beneficial… Somewhat
The first part of Eurylochus’ role in The Odyssey occurs on the island of Aeaea, the home of Circe, the witch. When Odysseus and his crew reach this haven, their numbers have dwindled significantly.
After suffering losses at the hands of the Cicones, the Lotus Eaters, Polyphemus the Cyclops, and the cannibalistic Laestrygonians, they are down to one ship and around fifty men. Naturally, they are cautious about investigating this new island, despite their desperate need for aid.
Odysseus divides the group into two parties, with himself and Eurylochus as their leaders. Drawing lots, they sent Eurylochus’ team to search for inhabitants. They are delighted when they discover Circe, a beautiful, enchanting goddess, who invites them to feast at her table. Only Eurylochus is suspicious, and he stays back while the others are lured inside.
His caution serves him well, for Circe drugs the crewmembers to dull their memories, and then she turns them into swine. Eurylochus flees back to the ship, at first too fearful and sorrowful to speak. When he can tell the tale, the reader finds that Eurylochus didn’t see Circe’s magic spell or the pigs, yet he still fled the scene.
“In their foolishness,
They all accompanied her inside. But I,
Thinking it might be a trick, remained behind.
Then the whole bunch disappeared, all of them.
No one came out again. And I sat there
A long time, watching for them.”
Homer, The Odyssey, Book 10
Also, one might wonder, if Eurylochus suspected a trap, why didn’t he share his misgivings with any of the men on his team?
Eurylochus on Circe’s Island: Caution Is Good, but Not Cowardice
Immediately upon hearing the news, Odysseus picks up his weapons and tells Eurylochus to lead him back to the house where the men disappeared. Eurylochus then let his true cowardice show, moaning and pleading:
“Child raised by Zeus, don’t take me there
Against my will. Leave me here. I know
You won’t be coming back again yourself
Or bringing back the rest of your companions.
No. Let’s get out of here and quickly, too,
With these men here. We may still escape
This day’s disasters.”
Homer, The Odyssey, Book 10
Eurylochus is willing, even eager, to abandon the men under his command. Disgusted, Odysseus leaves him behind and goes alone to confront Circe. Luckily, Hermes appears and tells Odysseus how to defeat the sorceress, giving him an herb that makes him immune to Circe’s magic. Once he subdues Circe and makes her swear to restore his men and cause no further harm, he returns for the rest of the crew.
Eurylochus on Circe’s Island: No One Likes a Whiner
The crew is delighted to see Odysseus return unharmed, with the good news that comfort and feasting await them in Circe’s hall. As they start to follow Odysseus, Eurylochus once again displays his cowardice, but worse yet, he insults Odysseus to try to get his way:
“You wretched creatures,
Where are you going? Are you so in love
With these disasters you’ll go back there,
To Circe’s house, where she’ll transform you all
To pigs or wolves or lions, so we’ll be forced
To protect her great house for her? It’s like
What the Cyclops did, when our companions
Went inside his cave with this reckless man,
Odysseus — thanks to his foolhardiness
Those men were killed.”
Homer, The Odyssey, Book 10
Eurylochus’ words so anger Odysseus that he thinks about “slicing off his head and knocking it to earth.” Luckily the other crew members soothe his rage and convince him to leave Eurylochus with the ship if that is what he wants.
Of course, when faced with Odysseus’ disapproval and being left alone, Eurylochus follows the other men.
Eurylochus’ Last Offenses: Mutiny on the Island of Thrinacia
Eurylochus behaves himself for a while, for he is quiet, even helpful, during several of their next adventures. Odysseus and his crew hear prophecies in the Land of the Dead, survive passing the dangerous island of the Sirens, and lose six more crew members navigating between Scylla and Charybdis. When they near Thrinacia, home of Helios, the sun god, Odysseus remembers the prophecy that this island would spell their doom, and he sadly tells the men to row past the island.
All of the men are disheartened, but Eurylochus answers Odysseus with spite:
“You’re a hard man,
Odysseus, with more strength than other men.
Your limbs are never weary. One would think
you were composed entirely of iron,
if you refuse to let your shipmates land,
when they’re worn out with work and lack of sleep.”
Homer, The Odyssey, Book 12
The weary men agree with Eurylochus that they should land on the island. Odysseus consents once they all swear solemnly not to kill a cow or a sheep while on the island, for those were the sacred herds of Helios. Unfortunately, Zeus, the sky god, creates a windstorm that traps them on the island for an entire month. Their provisions dwindle away, and the men begin to starve.
Eurylochus’ Last Offenses: His Spiteful Declaration Comes True
Odysseus leaves his starving men to scout inland and to pray to the gods for aid. Eurylochus seizes the opportunity to undermine Odysseus’ authority again, persuading the other crewmen to slaughter some of the sacred cattle:
“Shipmates, although you’re suffering distress,
hear me out. For wretched human beings
all forms of death are hateful. But to die
from lack of food, to meet one’s fate that way,
is worst of all…
… If he’s enraged
about his straight-horned cattle and desires
to wreck our ship and other gods agree,
I’d rather lose my life once and for all
choking on a wave than starving to death
on an abandoned island.”
Homer, The Odyssey, Book 12
When Odysseus returns and sees what they had done, he groans, knowing their doom is assured. Eurylochus and the other crewmen feast on the cattle for six days, and on the seventh day, Zeus changes the winds and allows Odysseus’ ship to leave. This change in their fortunes improves his crew’s morale, but Odysseus knows better than to think they can escape fate.
When there is no land in sight, Zeus unleashes a violent storm, perhaps the worst they have encountered on their travels. The ship’s mast cracks and falls, and the ship is ripped apart by the winds and waves. Odysseus saves himself by clinging to the broken mast and sail, but every man of the remaining crew perishes. Indeed, Eurylochus fulfills his declaration and meets his end choking on a wave.
Conclusion
Eurylochus plays a minor but significant role in The Odyssey.
Let’s review the pertinent facts about this character:
- Eurylochus is Odysseus’s brother-in-law; he is married to Odysseus’ sister, Ctimene.
- Eurylochus fought with Odysseus in the Trojan War.
- In The Odyssey, he serves as Odysseus’ second in command on the voyage home.
- He hesitates to enter Circe’s house and escapes when she turns the rest of his men into pigs.
- He is too cowardly to help Odysseus rescue his men.
- He urges the crew toward mutiny if Odysseus doesn’t let them land on the island of Thrinacia.
- Though they all promised not to kill the sacred cattle of Helios, Eurylochus encourages them to break their vow.
- As a punishment for killing the cattle, Zeus sends a violent storm that destroys their ship. Only Odysseus survives.
- True to his words, Eurylochus dies choking on a wave.
Eurylochus serves as the antithesis of Odysseus’ better qualities and draws attention away from Odysseus’s flaws.
