Martand House, Sarala Birla Academy, Bangalore, July 2017. A play in prose and rhyming verse that I wrote and directed at seventeen, taking Odysseus from the Cyclops’ cave to the bag of winds.

Ancient Greece - 812 BC

Scene 1: In the Palace of Ithaca

Music Begins. Spotlight on Musicians.

Telemachus walks on stage. Spotlight turns towards him as he starts walking across stage

Telemachus
I remember when I was four years old
Listening to stories about the brave and bold,
Of Heracles - The Gatekeeper of Olympus,
Achilles and his war time triumphs.
I wondered and pondered - Is my Dad the same?
In the Trojan War, winning battles and fame.
But it’s been ages since he went,
And everything I feel is spent…
And everything I feel is spent…

Lies down on back and stares upwards forlornly

Slow music starts.

Penelope walks on stage. Spotlight shifts to Penelope

Penelope
I met you first in Sparta
You won a race against my father,
I was in love.
I’m still in love.
You set sail for Troy,
And left me to raise a boy
I missed you.
I still miss you.

Telemachus moves towards Penelope. Spotlight goes to both of them

Telemachus and Penelope
It’s been 12 long years
And all my dreams have turned to fears
Looking at the distant ocean
Waiting for some sign of motion
Its been 12 long years
Oh it’s been 12 long years.
And all i have left is tears…
Oh it’s been 12 long years.

Telemachus: I miss Father, Mother,

Penelope: Oh, I miss him too son. I miss him too.

They hug. Stage goes dark as spotlight fades.

Blackout.

Scene 2: On the seas of ancient Greece

Stage is lit up completely. A ship can be seen with three companions of Odysseus looking at the distance, peering in spyglasses

Eurylochus: Land ahoy!

Iphitos: That looks like an island!… Thank Zeus we may finally get off Poseidon’s turf for a while.

Mykene: Indeed. We were running low on food and water as well… Some one call his majesty - Odysseus!

Eurylochus goes back and calls Odysseus from offstage

Eurylochus: Odysseus my Lord. We have sighted land!

Odysseus enters stage slightly rushed but with a regal air. Has a slight swagger. Walks to the deck immediately and takes the telescope to view the horizon

Odysseus (In a commanding and authoritative voice)
Excellent. Eurylochus steer the ship towards the far end of the island. We’ll get down and seek for provisions. Iphitos bring the crate of wine as well, it could be used to trade with the locals. Mykene prepare to launch the raft and anchor the ship. And someone wake up the others.

Stares off intently at horizon. Iphitos goes off stage to call others.

After a few seconds -

Aside

Curse those storms in Cicones! Ten long years spent fighting and surviving in Troy and yet here I am, still so far from home! (Score of first song plays). Ah, my beautiful and dutiful wife Penelope with her golden tresses and a smile that can bewitch even Narcissus! And Telemachus…He must be a big lad by now, almost 12 years of age. I’ve missed his entire childhood…May Palamedes rot with Hades for tricking me to join the war. The only memory of my son is as a small infant, hardly four moons old…

Iphitos arrives with three other companions. They look sleepy

Eurylochus: My lord, we can go no further on the ship.

Mykene: Indeed! Should I launch the raft now?

Odysseus: Go ahead.

Everyone climbs aboard on the raft. They start paddling.

Looks towards the three sleepy companions

I trust you three will not wander off like last time. Let’s get this over with as quickly as possible.

Companion 1: Don’t worry Ser, we will be careful and diligent and be the first back to the bay’s mouth, alive and in our senses.

Iphitos: We can get off now.

All seven clamber on land and spread out looking around

Companion 2: I don’t think anyone lives here except the Underworld’s spirits.

Companion 3: I think I see the mouth of a cave that seems to be in use.

Odysseus: That’s a good sign. We might be able to trade our wine for some food and partake in their drinking water. Keep your wits with you but there’s no need to be especially alarmed. Onward!

Everyone treks a short distance and reaches the mouth of the cave

Eurylochus: Hello! We come in goodwill!

Iphitos: Doesn’t seem like anyone’s home.

Odysseus: It would be rude to enter without our host. We could explore further, however I think -

Odysseus is cut off as someone from offstage bellows. Cyclops enters.

Polyphemus: Who dares approach Polyphemus, Son of Poseidon and Thoosa, Guardian of Cyclops Island and Harbinger of Doom!

Rest of group looks intimidated by huge cyclops but Odysseus seems unfazed.

Odysseus: Greetings Polyphemus. It is a pleasure to meet a son of Poseidon.

Polyphemus gives him a one over. Looks slightly less sure of himself but covers it up with bravado

Polyphemus: Well what brings you all here to my humble abode? Have you come by ship? Where have you landed your ships, may I ask?

Odysseus gives a small smile on realising what the Cyclops intends. Looks back to the group to give a warning glance

Odysseus: Ships…Oh no, no ships. We have been shipwrecked on this island and we’re just looking for a place to spend the night and some food to fill our stomachs… In exchange, we have this crate of wine which we are more than willing to share with you as guests.

Polyphemus: Why, of course! I would be glad to help! Why, come in, come in, please, oh no, you first. A roof under your head and some food, why of course I’ll provide you all with that.

Everyone enters cave. Polyphemus pushes large boulder to block the cave entrance. Light immediately becomes dim

Companion 1: Hey! Why did you block the entrance with that huge boulder?

Polyphemus: Well now, we wouldn’t want any of you to wander off and get lost now do we? You can all stay with me in my nice cave. I’ll even make a fire so you can be comfortable and warm!

Odysseus: I’m sure even Cyclops’ follow the guest rules of hospitality, which even the Gods consider sacred. We are your guests here and I trust no harm will be done to us.

Polyphemus: Harm?! What harm?? Of course no harm will come to any of you. However, I am quite hungry, after my long walk with my sheepies…

Polyphemus
Hmmm. You seem enough to satisfy me… Come here you (grabs
Companion1). I’m sure no harm will come to you in my stomach!

Hits him viciously. Screams. Light flickers and then a blackout.

Spotlight on Polyphemus.

Polyphemus
Ah, all of you stuck in my comfy, little cave.
Good thing too, for human meat I was beginning to crave!

Blackout.

Scene 3: Back in the palace of Ithaca

Back to Ithaca. Penelope is sitting on the throne with Telemachus by her side. Two soldiers stand by their side. Two suitors kneel beside them. One companion each is polishing the suitor’s shields.

Penelope: You do not need to do this!

Suitor 1: My life is a small sacrifice to pay for the chance to win your hand.

Suitor 2: Agreed.

Penelope: Well then. Go ahead.

Suitor 1: And now it begins.

Suitor 2: No. And now it ends

(Duel. Both suitors die.)

Telemachus: That’s two of them down.. Still 106 more of them, vying to be king of Ithaca

Spotlight on Penelope

Penelope
Oh, all these suitors trying to place on my finger, a ring,
When my heart is set firmly on Odysseus, my one true king.

Blackout.

Scene 4: In Polyphemus’ cave

The group is huddled around the fireplace. Polyphemus is busy in the corner.

Eurylochus: What in Hades name are we going to do now?

Companion 2: I would really prefer not to be eaten…

Iphitos: I did not know that Cyclops would be such uncivilised brutes. To not honour the guest-hospitality code is one of the greatest sins according to the Gods. I’m afraid we are all but doomed now.

Mykene: Indeed! We could have tried to slay the beast but then we would be stuck rotting forever, as none of us can budge that huge boulder. If we kill him, we will be trapped. If we don’t, we will be breakfast. Oh Odysseus, what do we do?

Odysseus: Stay calm and keep your chin up men. We have faced worse than this in the Trojan War. Besides, I have a plan.

Companion 2: It doesn’t involve me being eaten, I hope?

Odysseus (With a wry smile)
Hopefully not. As Mykene said, we can’t kill him as long as the boulder is blocking the entrance. But he will have to move it in the morning to graze his sheep. We can escape then. But -

(cut off)

Polyphemus: What are you little midgets discussing? I hope it’s the order in which you would prefer to be eaten!

Odysseus: Well, in fact, we were discussing how nice it would be to indulge in some friendly conversation…maybe drink some of the wine…

Polyphemus: Hmm…Some wine would be nice I admit. Will help to wash down some of the bones which seem to have got stuck. (guffaws)

Odysseus: Mykene, open the crate of wine for our ‘host’. Bring me Dionysus’ finest.

Opens crate and brings out wine, giving it to Odysseus.

Odysseus uncorks it and offers it to Polyphemus)

Polyphemus: Oh no! Do I look like a fool to you? You drink from it first!

Odysseus: You dishonour me. As a guest, I would never do such a thing. (Drinks a hearty gulp. Offers it back. Polyphemus is convinced)

Polyphemus
It doesn’t hurt to be careful!
Ahhh. Another! (Throws wineskin)

( Odysseus beckons to get another sack. Iphitos gets one and gives it to Odysseus. Polyphemus snatches it and finishes it again in one gulp.)

Polyphemus: Another!

Lights fade out.

Narrator: And so 2 hours pass.

(Lights come back on. Polyphemus is lounging back drunkenly . Odysseus is next to him. The five others have inched closer.)

Odysseus: Well Polyphemus, I trust you enjoyed the wine…In return for such a gift, maybe you could move the boulder and we will be on our way.

Polyphemus (drunken slur)
Ha. Then what will I eat for breakfast? No chance, I’m letting you go. As gratitude for your gift…I’ll eat you last!

Odysseus: Well, I expected nothing less.

(towards group)

Get ready with our alternative plan, men.

Polyphemus: Hey you…Yes you… What’s your name anyways?

(O thinks for a moment)

Odysseus: My name…? My name is…Nobody…Nobody is my name.

Polyphemus
Nobody…? What a stupid and silly name. You humans will always be inferior to us Cyclops. Look at my name! Polyphemus - it means abounding in songs and legends!
Nobody…HA!

(droops into slumber)

(O checks if he really is asleep, then - )

Odysseus: Ok, this is perfect. Eurylochus, have your sharpened the stick?

Eurylochus: Yes, my lord. It only needs to be fire hardened.

Odysseus: Quick then. The fire is still burning.

(The stick is thrust into the flames.)

Mykene: Indeed! That seems to have done the job.

Odysseus: Give me the stick. Yes, this should be enough.

(rest of group moves backwards)

Odysseus: Ares, bless this strike!

(Jabs the sharp stick into the eye of the Cyclops)

Polyphemus: Aurhrhrhrhrhhhhhgghghghg

(O leaps back away from reach)

Polyphemus: My eye! Ugrhrhrhr…My eye! I can’t see! I can’t see!

(continues to scream in agony)

(Two Cyclopes appear on stage confused. Knock on the boulder)

Cyclops 1: What is happening Polyphemus?

Cyclops 2: You are making a great deal of noise…

Polyphemus: Arghhh. He blinded me. He blinded me!

Cyclops 1: What? Who blinded you?

Polyphemus: Nobody! Nobody blinded me!

Cyclops 2: Nobody…Blinded you?

Polyphemus: Yes! Nobody blinded me. I can’t see!

Cyclops 1: Ok then… We’ll leave you in peace.

(they start walking away.)

Cyclops 2: I always felt that Polyphemus was slightly soft in the head. I guess this is proof of it.

(Walk offstage)

Companion 3: So far, so good.

Spotlight on Mykene.

Mykene
It’s going to be a long night.
But, I sense freedom is in sight.

Lights fade out.

Scene 5: Back in Polyphemus’ cave

(Lights come back on. Fire is dead but the sun has risen. Polyphemus is in foetus position cradling his head. The group is around the fireplace. 6 huge sheep can be seen at the back.)

Iphitos: Finally, the night seems to be over. I see Helios casting his aura through the gaps in the walls.

Eurylochus: Are you sure this plan will work, my king?

Odysseus: Nothing should go wrong. It is a simple plan anyways.

(Polyphemus stirs in his sleep.

Odysseus: Quick men. Each one, select one of the massive sheep and be ready to crawl under them.

Polyphemus: Nobody…Nobody…I’m going to kill you Nobody!

(a sheep goes and nudges P)

Ah, my sheepies you must be hungry. I’ll take you out now sheepies. (Pushes boulder). Just need to ensure the sly humans don’t escape!

(Everyone crawls under a sheep. They go out of the cave as Polyphemus feels the top of each sheep)

Polyphemus: You’ll remain here Nobody and your band of thugs!

(closes cave with boulder. While closing it, group begins to run away and get on raft and start paddling. They enter ship)

Eurylochus: OK Odysseus. Ah what a cunning escape indeed!

Odysseus: Ha! Look at the stupid cyclops squinting from the cliff there. Polyphemus!

Polyphemus (surprised and agitated. Looks towards sound)

Odysseus: Polyphemus! I am Odysseus, Son of Laertes and Anticlea, Husband to Penelope, Father to Telemachus, Raider of Cities and King of Ithaca. You think an idiotic imbecile like you would best me!? I am the one who blinded you, I am Nobody!

P screams in anger and throws axe. Almost hits ship.

Polyphemus: Curses to you Odysseus, king of Ithaca! Oh father, Poseidon Lord of the seas, Curse him Father, curse him, the man who blinded your son! Curse him father! Curse him!

Iphitos: Its as if you think the Gods haven’t given us enough trouble as it is.

(Spotlight)

Odysseus
The Three Sisters have woven a tangled web so far for me,
What’s happened has happened, what will happen…let’s just wait and see.

Blackout.

Scene 6: In the Palace of Aeolia

Aeolus sits on a throne with soldiers at his side. Odysseus enters.

Odysseus: Greetings Aeolus, son of Hippotes and Keeper of the Winds. I am Odysseus, King of Ithaca. I have come to seek your assistance.

Aeolus: Greetings Odysseus. I have heard much about your bravery in the Trojan War. You honour me with your presence here at Aeolia.

Odysseus: The honour is all mine.

Aeolus: How may I be of assistance?

Odysseus: The war was over more than two years ago and I am yet to reach home. The Goddess Tyche seems to be displeased with me, sending her hound of ill luck to plague my group. I will be in your debt eternally if you could help me reach home at the earliest.

Aeolus: Never have I had an opportunity to help a far more superior person than me. I will gladly aid you. I will command the West wind to blow steadily near your ship, it should take you directly to Ithaca without further trouble. Also, take this bag. (hands small bag). It contains all the winds. Beware of opening it all at once as the resulting tumult will cause a frenzy of a storm!

Odysseus: This act of kindness will not be forgotten my Lord.

Aeolus: Anything to be of service. You will surely stay for a few days my Lord?

Odysseus: Thank you Aeolus.

Spotlight

But twelve long years I have waited to meet my son and wife,
A few more days is far to much and will cause me much strife.

Blackout.

Scene 7: On the seas near Ithaca

Iphitos: Surprising that nothing has gone wrong so far. Have the Gods gone blind or drunk or both?

Eurylochus: Stop being so cynical Iphitos. Fortuna has taken a liking to us, that’s all.

Mykene: Oh look! The tower of Ithaca can be seen now!

Odysseus
One is usually thirsty due to a lack of water. I have been thirsty due an abundance of it. Oh, home. sweet home! I may finally hold Telemachus in my arms and kiss Penelope on the lips!
Ah but feelings of ecstasy can not drown out my exhaustion. I have not slept for the past four days…

Eurylochus: Odysseus, my lord! You need to rest or Phobetor will start haunting you in the day. Don’t worry we will take care of the ship.

Odysseus: Ok… My wife and son…(Exeunt)

Iphitos: I haven’t slept in a while as well.

Mykene: Indeed. Eurylochus could you be in charge of the ship along with these two? Iphitos and me will go below deck for a quick nap.

Eurylochus: No problem. Ill be in command.

(Myk and Iph exeunt)

Hey you two! Make sure you’re alert to any danger. I’ll just admire the view…

Companion 2: Of course sire!

Companion 3: Hey psssst… This is the best chance!

Companion 2: Yes, I agree. Let’s do it quick.

Companion 3: Ah…Odysseus got it from Aeolus as a parting gift. I’m sure it’s filled with jewels and gold. We could pocket some and live the rest of our lives in peace!

Companion 2: Let’s do it!

(Opens bag… A storm escapes with thunder and lightning. Lights flicker winds and sounds of a storm play…screams from characters.. C2/C3 are blown away. Eu has almost fallen off)

Odysseus: Nooooooooooooo

(Spotlight)

Eurylochus
Well…Looks like we all were wrong.
We are just mere pawns in the gods’ song.
Our lovers and children, dreams and hopes,
Mean nothing to the Three Sisters and their bundle of rope.

The End.