Euripides’ The Cyclops is a work that involves two very different worlds coming together and influencing each other. Odysseus's world, full of commotion, order and action clashes with the land Mt.Etna which has no government, no people and life is very simplistic. When Odysseus and his men arrive on the island and meet Silenus, they are fascinated to hear Silenus tell them “The land is sullen. There is no dance” (Eur.Cycl. 124). Dance in this quote can relate to civilization and aspects associated with a regulated land. Odysseus unintentionally shows many aspects of civilization during his adventure on Mt. Etna. Odysseus presents multiple aspects of civilization to the fairly uncivilized land of Mt. Etna through wine, trade and his own character
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When he arrives, his personality can be described as respectful and arrogant at the same time. While it seems it would be an oxymoron to show both of these qualities, Odysseus finds a way to show both clearly when talking to Silenus for the first time. He respectfully says “Let me greet the oldest among you first” (Eur.Cycl. 101). He shows respect towards Silenus and those living on the island by asking to greet the oldest first. Shortly after this, he proclaims that he is a king and then fires off multiple questions about where he is with little regard to the nature of his questions. Odysseus says “I am Odysseus of ithaca, king of the Cephallenians” (Eur.Cycl. 103) and then he asks questions like “What is this place? Is it inhabited” (Eur.Cycl. 113). He proclaims himself as a king, and then acts like he automatically has some right to throw multiple questions at Silenus. He asks “what is this place” to Silenus who is a resident of the island, which comes off as a little rude or of him to ask. Odysseus seems like he is acting arrogant when he bombards Silenus with these questions right after being respectful to the same man. Euripides never shows Silenus showcasing any ego, Odysseus brings the character trait of egotistic from his civilization to the island. When Odysseus leaves, he feels the urge to tell the Cyclops his real name, which has no point at all, except to satisfy his own ego. By doing this, he again is arrogant and puts his life and the lives of his crew in danger when the Cyclops throws massive rocks in the vicinity of the ship. Odysseus feels empowered by feeding his own ego when he arrives and departs Mt.
When he arrives, his personality can be described as respectful and arrogant at the same time. While it seems it would be an oxymoron to show both of these qualities, Odysseus finds a way to show both clearly when talking to Silenus for the first time. He respectfully says “Let me greet the oldest among you first” (Eur.Cycl. 101). He shows respect towards Silenus and those living on the island by asking to greet the oldest first. Shortly after this, he proclaims that he is a king and then fires off multiple questions about where he is with little regard to the nature of his questions. Odysseus says “I am Odysseus of ithaca, king of the Cephallenians” (Eur.Cycl. 103) and then he asks questions like “What is this place? Is it inhabited” (Eur.Cycl. 113). He proclaims himself as a king, and then acts like he automatically has some right to throw multiple questions at Silenus. He asks “what is this place” to Silenus who is a resident of the island, which comes off as a little rude or of him to ask. Odysseus seems like he is acting arrogant when he bombards Silenus with these questions right after being respectful to the same man. Euripides never shows Silenus showcasing any ego, Odysseus brings the character trait of egotistic from his civilization to the island. When Odysseus leaves, he feels the urge to tell the Cyclops his real name, which has no point at all, except to satisfy his own ego. By doing this, he again is arrogant and puts his life and the lives of his crew in danger when the Cyclops throws massive rocks in the vicinity of the ship. Odysseus feels empowered by feeding his own ego when he arrives and departs Mt.