But on the spot I told them: 'Back, and quickly! Out to sea again!' My men were mutinous, fools, on stores of wine. Sheep after sheep they butchered by the surf, and shambling cattle, feasting, – while fugitives went inland, running to call to arms the main force of Cicones. -The Odyssey, Homer What motivates Odysseus’s men to ignore his orders to leave quickly? They are seasick and want to stay on the island to recover. They want to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves before setting off on their journey. They do not want to work for Odysseus anymore.