To begin, Odysseus drives a wooden stake into the giant Polyphemus’s eye. Having ventured to the Cyclopes’ island, Odysseus enters Polyphemus’s cave along with his men, seeking to be treated as guests. However, upon finding the humans lingering in his cave, the savage brutally murders and then devours a couple of his men. Consumed with rage, Odysseus states “...I planned to summon my courage, draw my sharp sword...creep up to him, feel for the right place with my hand and stab him in the breast where the liver is supported by the midriff.” (Homer, 133) As the men’s leader, he feels responsible for their demise. Recognizing the creature to be hostile, Odysseus decides to pursue violent means in order to save his men and himself from the lair
