Sam Middlebrooks and Tai Roque: Polyphemus by Samuel Middlebrooks (Student FVHS)

skmiddlebrooks100_ — 2023-12-18 22:21:02 UTC

tkroque100_ — 2023-12-18 22:22:09 UTC

Cyclops Role in The Odyssey

tkroque100_ — 2023-12-18 22:25:33 UTC

In the Odyssey, Polyphemus, or cyclops, is a character that Odysseus and his men found at the Land of the Lotus Eaters. They found Polyphemus in a cave. They come into his cave to have a meal with him. Then, Polyphemus traps them inside with a gigantic rock. Polyphemus ate two of Odysseus' men. In response to this, Odysseus offered Polyphemus their finest wine, which caused Polyphemus to pass out. While passed out, Odysseus blinded him by stabbing a spear into his eye. Odysseus told Polyphemus that his name is "no one." When Polyphemus alarmed everyone that he was blind, he said "no one is blinding me!" All the other cyclops didn't help Polyphemus because "no one is blinding him." Polyphemus, who is also the son of Poseidon, tells him that somebody blinded him and to punish/get revenge. Poseidon, the god of the sea, then makes Odysseus' journey back very difficult.

History and Background

skmiddlebrooks100_ — 2023-12-19 21:17:03 UTC

Polyphemus is one of the most famous cyclopes. He is the son of Poseidon and a nymph, Thoösa. He lives on an island as a shepherd Odysseus and his men stumble upon the island and "When the Greek hero Odysseus was cast ashore on the coast of Sicily, he fell into the hands of Polyphemus". Polyphemus presents an obstacle for him that causes Odysseus to struggle and gets rid of most of his crew.

Citations

skmiddlebrooks100_ — 2023-12-19 21:20:52 UTC

Editors of Brittanica. “Polyphemus.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 25 May 2015, www.britannica.com/topic/Polyphemus-Greek-mythology.

“Polyphemus: The Cyclops Son of Poseidon - Greek Mythology - See u in History.” YouTube, YouTube, 2 Aug. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rEut6LFnUc.

Green, John. “A Long and Difficult Journey, or The Odyssey: Crash Course Literature 201.” YouTube, YouTube, 27 Feb. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS4jk5kavy4.

TitaniumTalons , et al. “Cyclops.” D&D Beyond, www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/17090-cyclops. Accessed 19 Dec. 2023.

Symbolism of Polyphemus

skmiddlebrooks100_ — 2023-12-19 21:21:59 UTC

Polyphemus shows the power of nature, the danger of hubris, and gives irony to the story. Polyphemus is a monster in the story and shows the way that nature can be unpredictable, but he had too much confidence when he captured Odysseus. He died because of the way he trusted that he would be safe, but he fell for Odysseus' tricks. Polyphemus is used ironically, because in the same way Odysseus and his men come to steal Polyphemus' sheep, the suiters that Odysseus kills later are doing the same thing to his home.

Embedded Video

skmiddlebrooks100_ — 2023-12-19 21:31:00 UTC