This book contains Odysseus' last three adventures, two short ones (Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis), followed by one long one (Thrinacia); cf. Introduction to 9. These adventures are preceded by Circe's instructions, and end with the storm which robs our hero of his last companions and brings him to Calypso and thereby to the end of his story.

1–143 This scene forms the last phase in the ‘Circe’ adventure; cf. 10.469–574n. When Circe told Odysseus to go to the Underworld, she did not explicitly say that he was to return to her. However, her duty as hostess to escort him home is still in a state of suspension (cf. 10.475–95n.), and, in any case, Odysseus has to return to Aeaea to bury Elpenor (cf. 11.69–70, where the latter assumes that Odysseus will return to Circe's island). Odysseus does not go back to Circe's palace, but she comes down to the beach to meet him.

1–7 The beginning of the episode follows the pattern of many adventures (cf. 9.82–105n.): (i) landing, including a – second – introduction of Aeaea (1–6); (ii) initial activities, here sleeping (7); (iv) Odysseus sends out men, here to fetch the body of Elpenor (8–10).