The cyclopes in Homer’s the Odyssey are portrayed as monsters through the way Odysseus describes them. Although they do act in some monstrous ways, the cyclopes themselves are not monsters. The audience relies on Odysseus for a description of the cyclopes so Odysseus’ biases can influence how an audience or a reader may view the cyclopes. Odysseus, when describing the cyclops Polyphemus, calls him a “monster” (X, 275) with a “brutal heart” (X, 306). Throughout Book X, Odysseus repeats similar phrases as these causing the audience he is telling his story to within the book as well as the audience outside of the book to view the cyclopes as monsters. Odysseus’ portrayal of the cyclopes as monsters comes from his own bias of what a civilized
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Odysseus also criticizes how the cyclopes do not plant or plow their food because Zeus gives them all they need (X, 121-123). Odysseus seems to dislike that the cyclopes do not have to work the land themselves and yet still receive the benefits. While the cyclopes can be perceived as lazy because they are handed their food by the gods, they do have to do some work like take care of sheep. Odysseus describes Polyphemus milking the sheep and goats and completing all of his chores (X, 276-282). The hardworking actions of the cyclops contrasts with the description of lazy cyclopes Odysseus gives the audience earlier. This shows how Odysseus’ bias may influence the audience’s perception of the cyclopes. Another instance where Odysseus’ opinions of society creates a bias against the cyclopes is shown when Odysseus expects to be treated as a guest in the cyclops’ cave. Odysseus asks the cyclops for a warm welcome and a guest gift reminding him that “that’s the custom” (X, 301-302). This expectation comes from Odysseus’ idea that a group of creatures should follow the same rules and customs as he does. When the cyclops does not offer a gift or treat Odysseus and his men as guests, Odysseus creates his bias against …show more content…
The cyclops eats multiple of Odysseus’s men and in one instance “rap[s] them on the ground and knock[s] them dead” (X, 325-326). While that can be viewed as a monstrous attack, the cyclops was responding to a group of strangers who had invaded his home and had eaten his cheese. Before Polyphemus kills Odysseus’ men, Odysseus expected a “warm welcome, even a guest-gift” (X, 301). This is similar to how the suitors expected to be treated in Odysseus’ home as they eat all of the food and believe that is justified (I, 169-176). After the cyclops kills some of Odysseus’ men, Odysseus does not think that the cyclops’ actions were justified and thinks about getting revenge (X, 336-339). This contrasts with the actions later in the story when Odysseus kills all of the suitors and believes he is justified in doing that. Odysseus calling the cyclopes monsters becomes very interesting when compared to the suitors invading Odysseus’ home and the actions he takes against them. Like the suitors, Odysseus and his men invade a home and eat the food inside. Both instances of killing invaders are gory and intense. The cyclops rips the men apart by the limbs and spills brains and blood all over the floor (X, 327-328). Odysseus kills the suitors in an equally brutal way and in one instance cuts off Melanthius’ nose, ears, genitals, hands and feet (XXII, 500-504). The
Odysseus also criticizes how the cyclopes do not plant or plow their food because Zeus gives them all they need (X, 121-123). Odysseus seems to dislike that the cyclopes do not have to work the land themselves and yet still receive the benefits. While the cyclopes can be perceived as lazy because they are handed their food by the gods, they do have to do some work like take care of sheep. Odysseus describes Polyphemus milking the sheep and goats and completing all of his chores (X, 276-282). The hardworking actions of the cyclops contrasts with the description of lazy cyclopes Odysseus gives the audience earlier. This shows how Odysseus’ bias may influence the audience’s perception of the cyclopes. Another instance where Odysseus’ opinions of society creates a bias against the cyclopes is shown when Odysseus expects to be treated as a guest in the cyclops’ cave. Odysseus asks the cyclops for a warm welcome and a guest gift reminding him that “that’s the custom” (X, 301-302). This expectation comes from Odysseus’ idea that a group of creatures should follow the same rules and customs as he does. When the cyclops does not offer a gift or treat Odysseus and his men as guests, Odysseus creates his bias against …show more content…
The cyclops eats multiple of Odysseus’s men and in one instance “rap[s] them on the ground and knock[s] them dead” (X, 325-326). While that can be viewed as a monstrous attack, the cyclops was responding to a group of strangers who had invaded his home and had eaten his cheese. Before Polyphemus kills Odysseus’ men, Odysseus expected a “warm welcome, even a guest-gift” (X, 301). This is similar to how the suitors expected to be treated in Odysseus’ home as they eat all of the food and believe that is justified (I, 169-176). After the cyclops kills some of Odysseus’ men, Odysseus does not think that the cyclops’ actions were justified and thinks about getting revenge (X, 336-339). This contrasts with the actions later in the story when Odysseus kills all of the suitors and believes he is justified in doing that. Odysseus calling the cyclopes monsters becomes very interesting when compared to the suitors invading Odysseus’ home and the actions he takes against them. Like the suitors, Odysseus and his men invade a home and eat the food inside. Both instances of killing invaders are gory and intense. The cyclops rips the men apart by the limbs and spills brains and blood all over the floor (X, 327-328). Odysseus kills the suitors in an equally brutal way and in one instance cuts off Melanthius’ nose, ears, genitals, hands and feet (XXII, 500-504). The