The Palace in the Woods (Homer’s The Odyssey, Book 10 – Part 7)

A choice is made, and fear divides the company. What lies ahead appears gentle — almost welcoming — but strangeness coils beneath the surface.

In The Odyssey, Book 10, Odysseus splits his remaining crew to search the island, casting lots that send Eurylochus and twenty-two men into the forest. There they discover Circe’s polished halls, guarded not by violence but by enchanted beasts who fawn like tame dogs. From within, a sweet song rises as the goddess works at her loom.

This moment balances wonder against dread, as hospitality and danger wear the same inviting face.

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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.