What Does Scylla and Charybdis Represent

To be “between Scylla and Charybdis” means to be caught between two equally unpleasant alternatives.

What is the moral of Scylla and Charybdis?

The moral: don’t do drugs. Also, beware distraction of any type. As Odysseus sails past, Scylla reaches from her cave to pluck away six of his men—one for each of Scylla’s six heads. Scylla represents sudden tragedy, with which we should learn to deal as well as Odysseus.

What is the significance of Scylla in the Odyssey?

In Greek mythology, Scylla represents one of a choice between two evils. As Circe tells Odysseus, Scylla can’t be killed, so the only defense is to run away as quickly as possible in order to limit the damage she is able to do. As deadly as Scylla is, however, she is still the lesser of the two evils in these tales.

Chloe Bennett

Chloe Bennett

Culture, Media & Entertainment Columnist

Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.

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