No more.” But against his crew’s advice, Odysseus taunts the Cyclops again, now telling who it was that got the better of him: “If anyone asks who got the better of you,” says Odysseus, “who shamed you, tell them it was Odysseus, son of Laertes, from Ithaca.”. He and his men prepare a sharp stake, rolling an olive log in the fire to sharpen it. Odysseus comes up with one more clever scheme to get them out. Watch it now, on The Great Courses. 1. Odysseus told him his name was “No man”. that men below, whipping the strap back and forth, whirl Here is how Odysseus tells the story to the Phaeacians: Hoisting high that olive stake with its stabbing point, What does Odysseus tell the Cyclops his (Odysseus') name is? Odysseus has shown tremendous resourcefulness, and not a little restraint, in getting free. Since Odysseus—Nobody—gave him the wine, he’ll eat Nobody last as the guest gift. Two unique events occur in Book 11 of the Odyssey as Odysseus tells the Phaeacians about his visit to Hades: first, Odysseus includes a story known as the “catalogue of women” that seems to have nothing to do with himself and his own adventures or with anybody else in the Odyssey; second, there is an interruption. 23. When they arrive, the reader learns the Cyclops' name is Polyphemus. Instead, Odysseus hatches a plan. Thanking Odyssesus, Polyphemus asked him his name. A little later, when Odysseus blinds the one-eyed Polyphemus, the cyclops calls out to his brothers, “Nobody has blinded me.”. Finally, after 10 long years of war, the Trojan War ended. Back on his ship, making his way to safety, Odysseus can’t help calling out to the Cyclops. Q: Why does Odysseus tell the Cyclops his name is Nobody? Odysseus and his men in the cave, the Cyclops became enraged, grabbed two of the men, smashed their heads against the rocks, ate them, and fell asleep. When the Cyclops Polyphemus asks Odysseus where his ship is, Odysseus lies and says it was destroyed upon the rocks of the shore. This is a tight spot, and only through considerable trickery does Odysseus get most of his men out. Polyphemus quickly noticed Odysseus and his men had made themselves at home in the … They take the cheese, they fill up, and against the advice of his men, Odysseus has them wait: wait for the return of the inhabitant. While the cyclops is out with his sheep, Odysseus sharpens a piece of wood into a stake and hardens it in the fire. Next, he gives the cyclops wine to get him drunk, and he tells the cyclops his name is “Nobody.” When the cyclops falls … Odysseus, the hero from Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, does not kill the brutish cyclops, Polyphemus, because Odysseus and his men would be trapped in the cave. But this demonstrated a lot of forethought and cleverness. 2. Focus on lines 185-190. What name does Odysseus use to trick the Cyclops? 19. That way, as soon as they can leave his cave, they will board their ship with his ewes and cheese. Odysseus has heard of the land of cyclops and is curious, so he decides to stop by. Why does Odysseus lie to the Cyclops about his ship? This time Odysseus spoke up, and offered the Cyclops some strong wine he had brought with him. Readers should not confuse Odysseus' pride in identifying himself to the Phaeacian hosts with vanity. In addition, Odysseus wants to be able to escape from the Cyclops's lair. © The Teaching Company, LLC. Learn more about how memories of the Mycenaean era were preserved in oral stories of gods and heroes. One of them, Polyphemus, traps Odysseus and a scouting party in his cave. What does Odysseus tell the Cyclops that his name is in line 315? Odysseus told the cyclops that his name was "Nobody". While the cyclops is out with his sheep, Odysseus sharpens a piece of wood into a stake and hardens it in the fire. What does the Cyclops do after drinking the wine? 4.5/5 (831 Views . What does Odysseus plan to do to the Cyclops? Cyclops respect Zeus, as Odysseus does? Why does Odysseus want to visit Polyphemus? Odysseus says his name is, “Nobody,” Polyphemus eventually becomes extremely drunk and passes out. What does Odysseus think of the way the cyclops Polyphemus lives in The Odyssey? What does Odysseus do with the sharpened stake made from the olive tree? Odysseus told the cyclops … Another Homeric hero might have gone ahead and killed the Cyclops, entombing them all within the cave; another might have failed to consider the other Cyclopes coming to his aid. While Polyphemus is out grazing his giant sheep Odysseus and his party enter the cave and eat some of the food that was there, which included some meat and cheese. Enjoy!! 47. Explain. From the lecture series: Masterpieces of Ancient Greek Literature. One of the lands is an island inhabited by cyclops people. in an ice-cold bath and the metal screeches steam As the Cyclops sleeps, Odysseus thinks seriously about killing the monster, even feeling for the place in his chest where he might stab him. At the end of Book 9, Odysseus slaughters the Cyclops's sheep and leaves with his remaining men on their ships, and the ships are critical to the survival of the men who the Cyclops has not killed. Finally Odysseus manages to escape but without some of his men who were eaten by Polyphemus. odysseus is afraid the cyclops will steal their ship. What story does Odysseus tell the phaeacians? This passage describes the first meeting of Odysseus and his men with the one-eyed giant Polyphemus. The cyclops Polyphemus traps Odysseus and his men in a cave, behind an enormous rock. What name did Odysseus give Cyclops? Why does Odysseus tell a lie to Polyphemus in the Odyssey? All rights reserved. What does this tell you about the Cyclops’ appearance? Focus on lines 185-190. But the problem is obvious: That would leave them trapped in the cave. the Cyclops? Odysseus arrives at an expansive island which is home to the Cyclops. The cave’s inhabitant soon returns—it is the Cyclops Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon. Odysseus wants to protect his stores from the Cyclops. For what is Odysseus sad in the end? He wants to know who’s there in the land of the Cyclopes. Listen to me tell you the story of The Cyclops to the best of my abilities. What are the challenges that Odysseus had to face on his journey home? A little later, when Odysseus blinds the one-eyed Polyphemus, the cyclops calls out to his brothers, “Nobody has blinded me.”. 21. Polyphemus arrives back home to his cave and brings his sheep in and rolls a huge boulder to cover the entrance to the cave. One of those encounters is with a giant cyclops named Polyphemus. Only the Greek hero's wily plan allows escape. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. But Odysseus has given the Cyclops enough information to call down upon him and his men a curse; that is exactly what he does. Odysseus dared do nothing to the Cyclops, since only the Cyclops was strong enough to move the stone away from the mouth of the cave. Why does Odysseus offer the Cyclops some wine? Read lines 238-243. ‘Cyclops – if any man on the face of the earth should ask who blinded you, shamed you so – say Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye…’ It was a fatal lapse. Many reasons point to the savagery of the Cyclopes: their unused land perfect for agriculture, the lack of an introduction and demanding names of the men, the lack of ships perfect for fishing the harbor, and finally the Cyclopes’ refusal of a gift from their stash of plentiful cheese and lambs. When the Cyclops Polyphemus asks Odysseus where his ship is, Odysseus lies and says it was destroyed upon the rocks of the shore. A land inhabited by the Cyclopes, huge and fearsome giants with one eye in the middle of their forehead. This helps because when the cyclops is screaming he does not know their names so the gods will not get mad at them. They do not plough or sow the earth, for everything there grows by itself: wheat, barley, grapes and what you will. But Polyphemus, uncivilized as he is, drinks it down unmixed, quickly gets drunk, asking for more. so the eye of the Cyclops sizzled round that stake! and the drill keeps drifting faster, never stopping— Click to see full answer. Thus, in this final taunting of the Cyclops, we see that Odysseus is unable to distance himself completely from the values dear to the Iliadic heroes; he feels the need to identify himself to the Cyclops, so others will know of his skill and cunning. … As a Cyclops, he has one round eye in the middle of his forehead. As Polyphemus entered the cave, he led his flock of sheep inside and rolled a stone in front of the entrance of the cave to seal it shut. Odysseus barely gets them back to sea. The Cyclops in Homer's classic poem, ''The Odyssey'' plays a vital role in launching the famous tale of the ancient king, Odysseus, struggling to return home. Odysseus and his men set sail for home immediately. The Cyclops ("round eyes") were strong, one-eyed giants in Greek mythology, who helped Zeus defeat the Titans and hindered Odysseus from getting home on time. Polyphemus called on Poseidon to avenge him and Odysseus, as a result, knew nothing but bad luck from that day. What does it turn out is the Cyclops' own name? What name did Odysseus give Cyclops? Why does this turn out to be clever and humorous? The blinded Polyphemus feels all over the cave for these men, but doesn’t find them; they’re still trapped inside. So sit back! odysseus knows that poseidon is the cyclops’ father. He takes twelve of his men to explore the vast lands, ending up at the cave of Polyphemus, one of the Cyclops. Odysseus and his crew will face a new and different challenge that will threaten their lives. “Nobody,” he says, “Nobody is killing me!” His friends let it go at that. What does this tell you about the rules of hospitality in the ancient Greek world? Odysseus Lands on the Island of the Cyclops. How or where do Odysseus' men injure the Cyclops? By telling the Cyclops his real name, Odysseus opened himself up to the curse Polyphemus places upon him as Poseidon is his father and they are at sea. 22. Q: Why was it a mistake for Odysseus to tell the Cyclops his real name? Part of the reason that Odysseus lies to the Cyclops is that the holds of his ship are filled with provisions that his men took from the Cicones' holy city, including "generous store in jars" (line 183). Why didn't Odysseus tell Cyclops his name as soon as he asked? Already a member? Relax. When he finds himself trapped in the cave of the cyclops Polyphemus (who just happens to be the son of the God of the Sea, Poseidon), he tells him that his name is “Nobody.”. This is a transcript from the video series Masterpieces of Ancient Greek Literature. 2. He and his men find an unattended cave, filled with cheese, milk, lambs, milking implements, everything in perfect order, a shepherd’s dwelling. In The Odyssey, why does Odysseus tell Polyphemus that his name is Nobody? Polyphemus and Odysseus began talking, and Polyphemus asks Odysseus what his name is. What does the Cyclops ask Poseidon to do to Odysseus? Next, he gives the cyclops wine to get him drunk, and he tells the cyclops his name is “Nobody.” When the cyclops falls asleep, Odysseus blinds him with the hardened stake. Hospitality to strangers was extremely important to the ancient Greeks. The Cyclops then fell fast asleep in a drunken sleep. 2. Odysseus is hoping to receive from this inhabitant, whoever he might be, a guest gift, the proper token of hospitality. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. 3. odysseus does not want to reveal their only means of escape. What does the Cyclops do after drinking the wine? Of course, the Cyclops replies that “nobody” is bothering or killing it. Odysseus and his curiosity is what got them in the situation in the first place, but his intelligence is what got them out in no time. 2. Read lines 238-243. Does Poseidon hear this prayer? When the Cyclops Polyphemus asks Odysseus where his ship is, Odysseus lies and says it was destroyed upon the rocks of the shore. Odysseus tells him they’re on their way home from Troy—no names—and reminds Polyphemus about proper hospitality: We’re travelers; don’t you owe us a gift? Are you a teacher? Polyphemus asks where they landed their ship, but because Odysseus knows that Polyphemus would just destroy the ship he lies and says they were shipwrecked by Poseidon. Why doesn’t Odysseus kill the Cyclops when the giant kills his men? Odysseus is already thinking ahead here. The final trick for Odysseus is the escape from the cave. What does Odysseus tell the Cyclops his (Odysseus') name is? Focus on lines 264-281. by gouging out his eye. Why does this turn out to be clever and humorous? eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. As Odysseus and his crew are sailing back from Troy, they are swept to many lands. Odysseus told the cyclops … Answers: 1 on a question: What motivates odysseus to tell a lie to the cyclops? and the hot blast singed his brow and eyelids round the core Sign up now, Latest answer posted January 21, 2021 at 11:02:00 AM, Latest answer posted October 11, 2015 at 5:18:33 PM, Latest answer posted April 11, 2008 at 12:55:43 AM, Latest answer posted June 19, 2019 at 12:49:42 AM, Latest answer posted September 19, 2008 at 11:09:41 AM. Correct answers: 2 question: What motivates odysseus to tell a lie to the cyclops? The men advise Odysseus to snatch some of the food and hurry off, but, to his and his crew’s detriment, he decides to linger. Polyphemus scoffs at this idea of hospitality, snatches up several of Odysseus’s men, smashes their heads on the rocks, rips them limb from limb, and eats them—not very hospitable. 48. This Greek value is called 45. Polyphemus scoffs at this idea of hospitality, snatches up several of Odysseus’s men, smashes their heads on the rocks, rips them limb from limb, and eats them—not very hospitable. Spitting up gobbets of human flesh along with the wine, the Cyclops falls asleep, and Odysseus and his men go to work, driving the stake into Polyphemus’s eye. The Cyclops in Homer's classic poem, ''The Odyssey'' plays a vital role in launching the famous tale of the ancient king, Odysseus, struggling to return home. Odysseus tells the Cyclops his name is Nobody as he knows that when he attacks, the Cyclops will cry out and be asked by other Cyclopes if it needs help. Odysseus told the cyclops that his name was "Nobody". ©2021 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, http://www.mythweb.com/encyc/entries/odysseus.html, What are 3 examples of times when Odysseus demonstrated epic hero/god like qualities in. Because of the Greek belief that guests are protected by the gods and had to be treated with great courtesy, Odysseus warns the Cyclops that “Zeus will avenge the unoffending guest.” (In other words, Zeus will be on Odysseus's side.) Why does Odysseus lie to the Cyclops about his ship? Read the metaphor in line 133. odysseus does not … as a blacksmith plunges a glowing axe or adze So we seized our stake with its fiery tip 18. He then tells his first useful lie, Odysseus telling the Cyclops that their ship is nowhere to be found, it was destroyed on the rocks. He can’t let the act remain anonymous, and in his hubris, he pays a price for it. Odysseus and the crew will return to the Cyclops island to avenge the death of the men that the Cyclops ate by in turn eating the cyclops Odysseus and his crew will return home safely and quickly. The next stop is the land of the Cyclops, lawless one-eyed giants. Next, he gives the cyclops wine to get him drunk, and he tells the cyclops his name is “Nobody.” When the cyclops falls asleep, Odysseus blinds him … He does this because he knows that Polyphemus will destroy his boat if he thinks it is sitting out there. as a shipwright bores his beam with a shipwright’s drill The next evening, as the Cyclops eats several more men, Odysseus offers him some of the powerful wine he’s brought with him, a gift for the Cyclops, in the true spirit of xenia. raider of cities. It is so powerful, it is meant to be mixed with water: 20 parts water to one part wine. Solitary, emotionless, brute, savage, dont farm, and have no laws. 20. Their name is also spelled Cyclopes, and, as usual with Greek words, the letter K may be used in … Odysseus has good instincts and knows not to tell the Cyclops where his ship is nesting so he tells a lie to the Cyclops. Therefore he blinds it, rendering it disabled but capable of letting them out. Underline the two gruesome Homeric similes—extended comparisons using like or as—in lines 59-65. In Book 9 of the Odyssey, Odysseus tells the Cyclops that Poseidon, who is the Cyclops's father, "smashed my ship/he drove it against the rocks at your island's far cape" (lines 319-320). Odysseus said that his name was Nobody, for he did not want to give the cyclops his true name. 23 Votes) When he finds himself trapped in the cave of the cyclops Polyphemus (who just happens to be the son of the God of the Sea, Poseidon), he tells him that his name is “Nobody.”. He enters the cave with his flocks, closes the entrance of the cave with a huge stone so large, the poet tells us, that 22 wagons couldn’t budge it. Start your 48-hour free trial and unlock all the summaries, Q&A, and analyses you need to get better grades now. 2. When the Cyclops Polyphemus asks Odysseus where his ship is, Odysseus lies and says it was destroyed upon the rocks of the shore. odysseus knows that poseidon is the cyclops’ father. Odysseus tells the Cyclops his name is Nobody as he knows that when he attacks, the Cyclops will cry out and be asked by other Cyclopes if it needs help. What does it turn out is the Cyclops' own name? Odysseus is a hero because he managed to avenge the men that the Cyclops killed as well as being able to lead a team on the path that led them to their goals. Re-read lines 38-43, and underline the words that tell what will happen if the Cyclops does not treat the Greeks well. Look at what Odysseus does with the stolen sheep (Cyclops) He divides them equally upon his crewmen, and offered the long thighbones of his ram to Zeus. The Cyclops - Study Questions 1. Odysseus blinds the Cyclops in order to escape, and Poseidon, the Cyclops's father and god of the sea, makes it difficult for Odysseus to return home in his boat. Only now does Odysseus introduce himself by name, telling the Cyclops that his name is Nobody. odysseus does not want to reveal their only means of escape. Cyclops only had one eye and would eat humans at any given opportunity. Of course, the Cyclops replies that “nobody” is bothering or killing it. What is “nectar and ambrosia”? “If anyone asks who got the better of you,” says Odysseus, “who shamed you, tell them it was Odysseus, son of Laertes, from Ithaca.” The Cyclops picks up another chunk of stone, hurls it at them, this time missing short, driving the ship farther out to sea and safety. He yells once, taunting him, and the Cyclops hurls a huge chunk of a mountain out at the ship. He and his men cling to the undersides of the sheep and rams; as Polyphemus sends them out to pasture, he feels over the top and misses them on the underside. and its temper hardens—that’s the iron’s strength— Instead, Odysseus hatches a plan. He was the son of Greek god Poseidon, god of the sea. Another trait that made Odysseus an epic hero was his courage and strength. When the Cyclops is injured he yells to the other Cyclopses on the island to come help him. He does this because he knows that Polyphemus will destroy his boat if he thinks it … While the cyclops is out with his sheep, Odysseus sharpens a piece of wood into a stake and hardens it in the fire. As the Cyclops is passing out drunk, he promises a guest gift in return for the wine. What "favor" does the Cyclops grant Odysseus after being served the wine? Learn more about how Odysseus’s story into a metaphor for the human experience. This is … Polyphemus makes a show of hospitality at first, but he soon turns hostile. Odysseus tells the Cyclops his name is "Nohbdy". and the broiling eyeball burst—its crackling roots blazed and hissed— Click to see full answer. Goatskin full of sweet liquor, twelve two-handled jars of brandy, seven shining golden talents, a solid silver wine bowl, seven golden talons. Polyphemus was a giant one-eyed Cyclops. Why didn't Odysseus tell Cyclops his name as soon as he asked? In respect to this, what name did Odysseus give the Cyclops? Odysseus uses the Cyclops drunken stupor to his advantage and takes the opportunity to push the olive wood spear into Polyphemus’ one eye. What words does Odysseus use to describe the Cyclops? I drove my weight on it from above and bored it home Odysseus lies and tells Polyphemus (the cyclops) that his boat was shipwrecked off the coast of his island. The Great Tours: England, Scotland, and Wales, how Odysseus’s story into a metaphor for the human experience, how memories of the Mycenaean era were preserved in oral stories of gods and heroes, James Joyce’s Ulysses: Remixing The Homeric Myth. How many of Odysseus’s original twelve men survived the adventure of the Cyclops? In lines 109-120 how does Odysseus describe the race of Cyclopes? Making it impossible for Odysseus to be injured or killed, or for anyone to seek revenge. and bored it, round and round in the giant’s eye For good measure, Odysseus tells the Cyclops that his name is Nobody. A vivid passage: We feel we’re there with them. Q. The Cyclops cries out in pain, and his friends—fellow Cyclopes—ask what’s bothering him. This is our first suspicion that there’s something uncivilized about these Cyclopes. Odysseus Encounters Polyphemus. Feral, messy, and unkempt 3. Odysseus lies and tells Polyphemus (the cyclops) that his boat was shipwrecked off the coast of his island. Their home was Ithica, where Odysseus was the King. How or where do Odysseus' men injure the Cyclops? Odysseus engages Polyphemus in a conversation hoping to secure hospitality but this idea is rejected. Focus on lines 264-281. 46. What "favor" does the Cyclops grant Odysseus after being served the wine? This passage describes the first meeting of Odysseus and his men with the one-eyed giant Polyphemus. This shows how cunning and brave Odysseus' character truly is. When Odysseus blinded Polyphemus and stole many of his sheep, the Cyclops prayed to Poseidon (his father and god of the sea) to keep Odysseus from ever returning home or at least to make his journey long, perilous, and hard, and that he would return home by himself, . How does this help Odysseus. Log in here. 17. Analysis. The inhabitant turns out to be a massive Cyclops; his name is Polyphemus, a son of the sea god Poseidon. 1. 1. So, when Odysseus stabbed the cyclops in the eye, Polyphemus couldn’t tell anyone who did it because “Nobody” did it. What words does Odysseus use to describe the Cyclops? odysseus does not know what has happened to his ship. The surprising thing is that Odysseus even managed to make sure that the Cyclops had no help. He continued to tell the cyclops that they were travelers, watched over by Zeus, and he must show them hospitality or face the consequences. Polyphemus, who had never drunk wine before, drank his fill and became very drunk. What does Odysseus shout to Cyclops which makes the Cyclops tell of the prophecy now fulfilled? till blood came boiling up around that smoking shaft Polyphemus, as soon as he notices Odysseus and his men, asks who they are; bad manners. In his wisdom, Odysseus realizes they’ll be forever locked in the cave if he simply kills the Cyclops. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. 1. Only the cyclops is strong enough to move the rock, so Odysseus can’t escape. When the other one-eyed giants ask who has hurt … straight into the monster’s eye they rammed it hard— While the cyclops is out with his sheep, Odysseus sharpens a … and his men later in this episode when the other Cyclopes come? As Odysseus and his men traveled throughout the island, they came upon a cave. odysseus is afraid the cyclops will steal their ship. What did Maron give Odysseus? 4. 49. What does Odysseus plan to do to the Cyclops? Coming ashore at an island close to the land of the Cyclopes, Odysseus notes that it would be a good land for agriculture, a good harbor for ships, and a place with plenty for hunting; but the Cyclopes have no ships and can’t take advantage of all this. After eating, drinking, and resting, Odysseus and his men fell asleep in the cave, only to be awoken by a giant cyclops named Polyphemus. He misses, throwing it beyond the ship and driving it back to the shore. Odysseus insists on crossing over and visiting the inhabitants, whose fires he can see. Odysseus is getting ready to shout at the Cyclops again, and his men say, “Please, stop! The story of The Cyclops Cave was the first of many epic stories in The Odyssey. The cyclops laughed and said, ‘I do not fear the gods; they fear me.’ What is the Cyclops’ name? He asks his father Poseidon to destroy Odysseus and his ships, or at least make sure that Odysseus, if he makes it home, gets there all alone and finds trouble awaiting him there. Odysseus tells the Cyclops his name is Nobody as he knows that when he attacks, the Cyclops will cry out and be asked by other Cyclopes if it needs help. Odysseus smuggles the men out tied to the underbelly of the sheep. Who does Odysseus encounter in the Land Of The Dead in Homer's.