Polyphemus: The Character Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

The great Kyklopês, Polyphemus, is only one of the many monsters he had to face. After 10 years at war with Troy, over the beautiful Helen, Odysseus and his men are heading home. Looking for rest, they moor on Kyklopês Island where 12 men and Odysseus come upon the dwelling of Polyphemus. Odysseus’ sharp wit allows them to escape the brute’s cave, but his pride and actions incur the wrath of Poseidon. Despite the fact that Odysseus can be arrogant, he is also incredibly clever and resourceful.

Odysseus brashness when facing with Polyphemus leads to dire consequences.

After escaping Polyphemus’ cave, Odysseus and his men make their way silently back to their ship, taking with them the savages cattle. As they pull out from the shore, Odysseus,

However, as Polyphemos attacked the ship with rock, Odysseus again made to yell back to the beast. Around him, his crew muttered, “‘Godsake, Captain!/Why bait the beast again? Let him alone!’” (Book 9, Lines 537 - 538) All the crew wanted was to get out safely. They realized that Odysseus needn’t “bait the beast again.” They ask “Captain!, Why” for they see Odysseus is merely being cocky. Yet, Odysseus ignores them and respond to the monster by shouting “Kyklops,/if ever mortal man inquire/how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him/Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye:/Laertes’ son, whose home is Ithaca!” (Book 9, Lines 548 - 552) Odysseus makes a very large tactical mistake; he tells Polyphemos’ that his is “Odysseus … Laertes’ son.” Odysseus demonstrates recklessness and selfishness because he wishes to take credit for “put[ing] Polyphemos to shame”. In addition by saying “raider of cities” it give him a more self-important look. All of which is extremely egoistical, not to mention

While stuck in the cave Odysseus, cleverly, using the items around him to escape. While Polyphemus is out tending to his flock, Odysseus spies “a club, or staff, lay there along the fold … Now I chopped out a six foot section of this pole/and set it down before my men, who scraped it;/and when they had it smooth, I hewed again/to make a stake with pointed end.” (Book 9, Lines 346 - 355) Odysseus used the fire to toughen it then hides in one of the dung piles to use later. This “club ,or staff” must have been Polyphemus to use for herding his animals. However Odysseus mold it to his needs by “chopped out a six foot section’ and forming a point at one end. Odysseus also makes use his environment by using the fire and dung pile. As a gift for Polyphemos, Odysseus had brought a very strong liquor with him. presenting it as the gift it was meant to be, Odysseus suffencitantly get Polyphemus very drunk. Soon when Polyphemus is asleep, Odysseus and his men use the stake to blind Polyphemus. Again, odysseus is using what is available to his in a very clever, shrewd way. Odysseus demonstrates his ingenuity furthermore when took Polyphemos’ sheep and “tied them together, twinging/cords of willow from the orge’s bed” (Book 9, Lines 466 - 467) They then proceed to escape when the sheep are let out. In addition to being creative, Odysseus must have a sharp eye to see the “cord of willow.” Also