The Sirens, the monster Scylla, the whirlpool Charybdis, and the cattle of the Sun.
The Odyssey · B1+
Book Twelve: The Sirens and Scylla
Be heard, was tied, whatever, swear, either, rather than, ran out, fell, hardly and alone: B1+ grammar for the most dangerous voyage in the Odyssey.
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SOPHIA
MARCOS
One at a time, please.
The story
After Homer’s Odyssey
The Sirens’ song could be heard from far away. Odysseus put wax in his men’s ears, and he was tied to the mast. “Whatever I say, don’t untie me!” They sailed past, and Odysseus heard the song and lived.
Between Scylla and Charybdis, they had to pass either one or the other. Rather than lose the whole ship in the whirlpool, Odysseus sailed close to Scylla, and she took six men.
On the island of the Sun, the men swore not to touch the cattle. But their food ran out, and they killed the cattle. Hardly had they sailed away when Zeus sent a thunderbolt. Every man fell into the sea. Odysseus survived alone.
Be heard; was tied
DEMETRIA
The song could be heard from far away. Odysseus was tied to the mast.
SOPHIA
The passive: modal + be + past participle; past was / were + past participle.
Whatever; either… or; rather than
MARCOS
Whatever I say, don’t untie me! Either Scylla or Charybdis. Rather than lose the ship…
SOPHIA
whatever = no matter what. either… or = one of two. rather than + verb = instead of.
Swear; ran out; fell; hardly; alone
PHILO
They swore an oath. Their food ran out. They fell into the sea. Hardly had they sailed when the storm came. He survived alone.
SOPHIA
Irregular: swear → swore, fall → fell. run out = be finished. hardly… when. alone = with nobody.
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| could be heard; was tied | passive | He was tied to the mast. |
| whatever; either… or | no matter what; one of two | Whatever I say… |
| rather than + verb | instead of | Rather than lose the ship… |
| swore / fell; run out; hardly… when | irregular pasts; finish; immediately | Their food ran out. |
Practice
Answer all the questions, then press “Check my answers”. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Choose
Choose the correct form.
1. The song could ___ from far away.
2. Odysseus ___ to the mast.
3. ___ I say, don’t untie me!
4. They had to pass ___ Scylla or Charybdis.
5. ___ lose the ship, he chose Scylla.
6. Their food ___.
B · Write
Write the missing word or words.
7. The men not to touch the cattle. (swear, past)
8. Every man into the sea. (fall, past)
9. had they sailed when Zeus struck. (only just)
10. Odysseus survived . (with nobody)
C · Right or wrong?
Is it correct?
11. “He was tie to the mast.”
12. “Their food ran out.”
13. “They sweared an oath.”
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