Hubris in the Polyphemus Scene in Odyssey
Greek poets such as Homer introduced great heroes that are larger than life. They exhibit traits such as wit, bravery, and strength in the face of danger. Impressive feats are coupled with disastrous flaws, however; many Greek heroes such as Odysseus suffer from hubris, which is excessive pride against the gods. A defining trait about hubris is that it always results in the downfall of the character that exhibits hubris. One great example of a scene in Odyssey that contains Odysseus’ hubris and the ensuing downfall is within Odysseus’ interaction with the Cyclops Polyphemus.
The scene begins with an ominous foreshadowing effect. Odysseus’ men insisted that they should: “take the cheeses, get them stowed, come back, throw open all the pens, and make a run for it” (151.243-44). The men have no desire to confront the cyclops and only want to take some of his goods and leave. A retrospective Odysseus (one must remember that the events of the story are not happening in real time; they are being told through Odysseus’ eyes) tells the reader: “Ah, how sound that was! Yet I refused. I wished to see the caveman, what he had to offer-no pretty sight, it turned out for my friends.” (151.247-250). The key phrase here is: “Ah, how sound that was! While telling the story, Odysseus switches from past tense to present tense to show how he currently feels about how he should have acted. This is the first inclination of regret in the passage so far. Furthermore, by …show more content…
Then he dismembered them and made his meal” (153.314-15). Polyphemus eventually eats two more of Odysseus’ men. This increases the body-count of Odysseus’ hubris to a total of four people so
Greek poets such as Homer introduced great heroes that are larger than life. They exhibit traits such as wit, bravery, and strength in the face of danger. Impressive feats are coupled with disastrous flaws, however; many Greek heroes such as Odysseus suffer from hubris, which is excessive pride against the gods. A defining trait about hubris is that it always results in the downfall of the character that exhibits hubris. One great example of a scene in Odyssey that contains Odysseus’ hubris and the ensuing downfall is within Odysseus’ interaction with the Cyclops Polyphemus.
The scene begins with an ominous foreshadowing effect. Odysseus’ men insisted that they should: “take the cheeses, get them stowed, come back, throw open all the pens, and make a run for it” (151.243-44). The men have no desire to confront the cyclops and only want to take some of his goods and leave. A retrospective Odysseus (one must remember that the events of the story are not happening in real time; they are being told through Odysseus’ eyes) tells the reader: “Ah, how sound that was! Yet I refused. I wished to see the caveman, what he had to offer-no pretty sight, it turned out for my friends.” (151.247-250). The key phrase here is: “Ah, how sound that was! While telling the story, Odysseus switches from past tense to present tense to show how he currently feels about how he should have acted. This is the first inclination of regret in the passage so far. Furthermore, by …show more content…
Then he dismembered them and made his meal” (153.314-15). Polyphemus eventually eats two more of Odysseus’ men. This increases the body-count of Odysseus’ hubris to a total of four people so