But now I cleared my mind of Circe’s orders –
cramping my style, urging me not to arm at all.
I donned my heroic armor, seized long spears
in both my hands and marched out on the half-deck,
forward, hoping from there to catch the first glimpse
of Scylla, ghoul of the cliffs, swooping to kill my men.
– Homer
The Odyssey, Book 12, lines 245-250. Circe’s warning about Scylla is forgotten by Odysseus. She had told him not to fight the six-headed monster or arm for battle, but instead to flee her. But proud and stubborn Odysseus prepares to battle Scylla instead, because that is his nature. As he readies to fight, Scylla is already swooping down to kill his men.