Polyphemus Vs Odysseus Research Paper

As is known for lots of people, myths are always of different versions. Each of the version describes the characters in the myth differently. As for the figure of Cyclops Polyphemus, it is described in different ways between the Archaic Greek poet Homer’s Odyssey and the Hellenistic poet Theocritus poem. However, besides these, there is also a Roman version of Cyclops Polyphemus, which is actually the combination of the earlier versions. This paper is going to describe what happened in each version of the myths and discuss the similarities between these versions. In Homer’s version, after experiencing the decade fierce battle with troy, Odyssey and his man landed on Sicily on their way home. This was a place where Cyclops live. In order to …show more content…
Compared to the Homer’s version, this version of Polyphemus actually had been more humanized with a lot of emotions, especially when pursuing Galatea. What this two version in common was that Polyphemus was still described as a monstrous-like character with a distinct appearance with one eye. In addition, in both version of myths, Polyphemus was portrayed not that positively. According to homer, he was regarded as a hostile and cruel character because the way he treated Odysseus and others. Also, in reference to Theocritus’ poem, “I know, lovely girl, why you avoid me— because of the shaggy brow across my whole forehead, which stretches from this ear to that, one long line, and the single eyeball below, and the wide nose above my lip. But even though I am like I am, I heard one thousand animals and draw the finest milk from them to drink”, although it showed the human side of Polyphemus, his self- sufficient and his song works for Galatea made him to be a more rustic, ridiculous and ironic figure. Theocritus borrowed lots of unusual details of the cyclops from Homer’s Odyssey. The cyclops in Idylls 11 was a lovesick character. In accordance of the Hellenistic poet, the cure for the unrequited love was the song. He becomes a changed character from the ruthless monster to an ordinary and romantic character who was lovesick and emotional. It stirred readers’ sympathy due to the …show more content…
Then, in the Theocritus version, he was a lovesick character with others’ sympathy. Nevertheless, he was with a hopeless passion because of the triangle love in Ovid’s version. In addition, what he did to Acid also showed his cruelty. Besides, as for the character of Galatea in this version of myth, she was represented with a stronger emotion about Polyphemus than in the Theocritus’ poem since she said “If you asked me I could not say whether love for Acis or hatred of the Cyclops was stronger in me. Both were just as strong.” In this way, it was obvious that the cruelty was added to Galatea’s attitude. When it came to Polyphemus, readers were able to feel a sense of loss and grief of him because of his love