How does Odysseus escape Charybdis the second time in The Odyssey?

In Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey," Odysseus' encounter with Charybdis represents a perilous moment during his journey home. To escape Charybdis for the second time, Odysseus resorts to a combination of quick thinking and survival instincts.

As described in Book 12 of "The Odyssey," when Odysseus and his crew confront Charybdis, he faces a formidable challenge. He makes the crucial decision to cling to a large fig tree that grows on the side of the whirlpool. This strategic move enables him to avoid being drawn into Charybdis' destructive vortex. The text states:

"[Odysseus] clung to the rock like a bat, high up
under the long roots, holding on with both hands.
The roots of the fig hung down long and great,
the dread Charybdis sucked the water down
with a horrible gulp…"

Odysseus's choice to grasp onto the fig tree allows him to stay above the engulfing waters and avoid being pulled into the depths of Charybdis.

Additionally, Odysseus benefits from Charybdis's cyclical behavior. After a period of sucking in water to form the whirlpool, Charybdis disgorges debris, including Odysseus' ship's mast, which has been drawn into the vortex. This expulsion of water and debris creates a temporary current that throws Odysseus back to the surface, allowing him to escape Charybdis's danger.

In this perilous encounter, Odysseus' resourcefulness and survival instincts are instrumental in his escape from Charybdis for the second time. His decision to cling to the fig tree, coupled with the fortunate timing of Charybdis's disgorgement of debris, allows him to overcome the perilous whirlpool and continue his journey homeward.

In conclusion, Odysseus escapes Charybdis for the second time by clinging to a fig tree on the side of the whirlpool, avoiding its vortex. His strategic decision and the fortunate timing of Charybdis's expulsion of debris contribute to his survival and underline his resourcefulness in navigating the challenges of his epic journey.