The Curse Is Spoken (Homer’s The Odyssey, Book IX – Part 18)

Victory hardens into defiance, and defiance calls down the gods. Words spoken in triumph become the seed of wandering.

In this passage from The Odyssey, Book IX, Odysseus answers Polyphemus’ plea with open scorn, declaring that not even Poseidon can heal his wound. In response, the Cyclops lifts his hands to the sky and prays to his father, Poseidon, asking that Odysseus never reach his home—or, if fate demands his return, that he arrive late, alone, and broken. The sea god hears the prayer. Polyphemus hurls another massive stone, nearly striking the ship and driving it onward with the force of the waves.

This moment seals Odysseus’ fate: escape is complete, but the long suffering that follows is now sworn before the gods.

⸻

New to the journey? Start from the beginning at: http://theodysseypodcast.com

Want to talk theories, themes? Join the conversation on our Discord: https://discord.gg/Sg2prdm

Support the project on Patreon and receive full-length, story-only audio after each book: https://patreon.com/gruntworkpod

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or follow along on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC036TeD3DkuF1VSCQJfKGtw

Odyssey is a daily podcast reading one page at a time from Homer’s classic epic — every day. Whether you’re starting from the beginning or joining mid-journey, each episode brings you deeper into the story of The Odyssey.