Two Types of Monsters
The scene between Odysseus and the Cyclops, Polyphemus, in Homer’s Odyssey is universally recognized as one of the greatest displays of cunning in ancient Western literature. Odyssey is the narration of the epic hero, Odysseus, and his journey home to his native land, Ithaca, after the fall of Troy. Throughout the narrative, Odysseus meets and interacts with a wide array of characters—gods, creatures, and humans. In Book 9, Odysseus and his men come to the land of the cyclopes, where they meet Polyphemus, the one-eyed giant son of Poseidon. The ensuing interaction between Odysseus and Polyphemus is crucial to the plot development of the story. Consequences of this interaction affect characters throughout the rest of the narrative. While this is important, the more crucial point of this interaction is the glimpse readers get into the psyche of both Odysseus and Polyphemus. Their relationship brings into question the morality of each …show more content…
Odysseus’s initial observations about the land of cyclopes insinuate that he already has a preconceived notion of the culture of their people. His first impression of the cyclopes portrays them as “lawless savages who leave everything up to the gods” (9. 105-106). According to Odysseus, cyclopes “neither plow nor plant…have no assemblies or laws”, and “do not sail” or have “craftsmen” (9. 105, 110, 122). Odysseus equates these qualities to civilization. One can conclude that because these things are not present, Odysseus automatically assumes that the cyclopes are savages. What Odysseus does not take into account is that the cyclopes also make cheese, herd goats, and drink wine. While these are traits usually associated with civilization, Odysseus completely disregards the implications they may hold about the cyclopes. Is Odysseus only seeing what he wants to
The scene between Odysseus and the Cyclops, Polyphemus, in Homer’s Odyssey is universally recognized as one of the greatest displays of cunning in ancient Western literature. Odyssey is the narration of the epic hero, Odysseus, and his journey home to his native land, Ithaca, after the fall of Troy. Throughout the narrative, Odysseus meets and interacts with a wide array of characters—gods, creatures, and humans. In Book 9, Odysseus and his men come to the land of the cyclopes, where they meet Polyphemus, the one-eyed giant son of Poseidon. The ensuing interaction between Odysseus and Polyphemus is crucial to the plot development of the story. Consequences of this interaction affect characters throughout the rest of the narrative. While this is important, the more crucial point of this interaction is the glimpse readers get into the psyche of both Odysseus and Polyphemus. Their relationship brings into question the morality of each …show more content…
Odysseus’s initial observations about the land of cyclopes insinuate that he already has a preconceived notion of the culture of their people. His first impression of the cyclopes portrays them as “lawless savages who leave everything up to the gods” (9. 105-106). According to Odysseus, cyclopes “neither plow nor plant…have no assemblies or laws”, and “do not sail” or have “craftsmen” (9. 105, 110, 122). Odysseus equates these qualities to civilization. One can conclude that because these things are not present, Odysseus automatically assumes that the cyclopes are savages. What Odysseus does not take into account is that the cyclopes also make cheese, herd goats, and drink wine. While these are traits usually associated with civilization, Odysseus completely disregards the implications they may hold about the cyclopes. Is Odysseus only seeing what he wants to