How is Odysseus able to negotiate with Circe the safe return of his men?
Hermes warns Odysseus before his encounter with the enchantress
Circe, and gives Odysseus a magical herb to protect him from
Circes' spells, as well as exact advice as to what to do.
Circe tries to turn Odysseus into a pig but fails. Odysseus
rushes Circe with his sword, but she acquiesces, and tries to bed
Odysseus. Odysseus commands her to swear an oath to do him no
further harm, and after she has, he beds her.
Afterwards he refuses to eat, and explains he cannot until he
sees his men. Circe retrieves them (as animals), and administers a
drug to turn them back into normal. Odysseus tells his men to
return to the ship.