Polyphemus by Nathan Yu (Student FVHS)

ncyu100_ — 2023-12-19 19:45:49 UTC

How Polyphemus functions in The Odyssey.

ncyu100_ — 2023-12-19 19:53:58 UTC

In the Odyssey Polyphemus acts as a cyclops who is a one eyed giant. He is a horrible type of monster who eats every visitor who comes towards his borders. He does not allow anyone to stay near his borders. He has no remorse for whoever goes near his borders. A quote is ¨Odysseus destroyed Polyphemus, the mightiest of all the cyclopes (P90) This piece of quote represents how Polyphemus operates as a powerful monster who has no regard for the rules.

Sources

ncyu100_ — 2023-12-19 20:04:47 UTC

https://ancient-literature.com/polyphemus-in-the-odyssey/

https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/odyssey/section5/

Themes/Ideas

ncyu100_ — 2023-12-19 20:06:04 UTC

The theme/symbol of the character is his one eye.

Polyphemus represents foolishness because he got outsmarted by Odysseus. The theme of Polyphemus is to never underestimate people. Because Polyphemus underestimated Odysseus because he thinks he's so strong, Odysseus and his people manage to trick Polyphemus and blind him.

Polyphemus - History and Background

bdbui101 — 2023-12-19 20:07:42 UTC

When Odysseus was ashore on Sicily, he got captured by Polyphemus, the one eyed cyclops. Polyphemus trapped Odysseus with 12 of his friends in a cave and closed it with a big rock. Odysseus then made Polyphemus drunk and Polyphemus asked what his name was and Odysseus said that his name was Nobody and put a burning stake in his eye when Polyphemus collapsed from being drunk. Because of this Polyphemus "shouted to them from inside the cave, 'Noman is killing me by fraud; no man is killing me by force.'" (9.455)