The episode with Polyphemus the Cyclops is central to The Odyssey for two main reasons. First, Odysseus is a man of intelligence. Homer's first epic poem, The Illiad, starred Achilles, the greatest Greek warrior and a human being with intense passion, of which anger figured prominently. Odysseus, on the other hand, thinks through his decisions in order to take the best path. The manner in which he tricked Polyphemus by getting the huge Cyclops drunk on wine and telling Polyphemus that his name was "No-one" is pretty cool, along with his idea of clinging to the underbellies of the Cyclops' sheep so his men and he could escape the cave they were imprisoned within. The second reason is that pride, aka hubris, comes with a price. There was absolutely no need for Odysseus to taunt Polyphemos after the Greeks escaped on their ship. Yet, Odysseus makes a bad decision and reveals his true name to the Cyclops. The Cyclops, being the child of Poseidon, God of the Seas, lets his father know what Odysseus did to him. Hence, Odysseus's long, long journey home to Ithaca from the battlefields of Troy. The Gods punished him for his pride.
You can find this episode in Book IX.
Mr. Matluck
HAH. so odysseus has done something wrong; i was beginning to think he was some thing of a god.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly - Your perception of Odysseus as god-like is very accurate. He is a great human being who also happens to be favored by Athena, Goddess of Wisdom. Odysseus represents humankind's challenge to the "gods" - how do we, as human beings, become less like animals and more like gods.
ReplyDeleteMr. Matluck
Reading the book i cant help but wonder why athena favors odysseus so much. From the very beginning of the book she was always there to help him. Im not sure why. Maybe you or fran could tell me. Fran has just told me that she has no clue why, so its up to you to tell me. NO PRESSURE.
ReplyDeletefran just downed a danimals in 6 seconds flat. Two gulps. you should be very proud.
ReplyDelete