The Odyssey, written by Homer, is an adventurous journey Odysseus experiences on the way back home to Ithaca and Penelope. Odysseus comes across many situations where decisions need to be made in order to find safety. Odysseus has many roles in the Odyssey. Odysseus is known as a soldier and a king, as well as many more things. However, Odysseus was also acknowledged as a trickster, which defines Odysseus as a person and has been an aid in many situations, for when Odysseus encountered the Cyclops, Circe, and the suitors back in Ithaca.
Odysseus first encountered the Cyclops when the ship arrived on the land, where there is a boulder in the way. Odysseus believes the Cyclops is strong enough to move the boulder out the way. When the Cyclops first arrives, Odysseus and the men feel threatened, but Odysseus soon calms the Cyclops down and offers wine after eating down a few men. This is showed through the statement, “Cyclops, try some wine/ Here’s liquor to wash down your scraps of men/ I meant it for an offering/ if you would help us home” (ix, 256-259). Polyphemus, the Cyclops, then asks for a name, and Odysseus responds with “ Cyclops, you ask my honorable name?/ Remember the gift you promised me/ and I shall tell you. My name is Nohbdy/ mother father and friends/ everyone calls me Nohbdy” (ix, 272-275). Odysseus does this to keep the identity a secret, so Polyphemus wouldn’t punish Odysseus since the Cyclops is Poseidon’s son. The Cyclops falls asleep, drunk with wine, when Odysseus hardens a wooden stick in the fire, and blinds …show more content…
Odysseus fooled many for the sake of moving on, and returning to Ithaca. Odysseus tricked Polyphemus and blinded his eye, as well as tricking the suitors in believing Odysseus was an old beggar who had no chance marrying Penelope. In the end, Odysseus still returned home, and has now lived his life
Odysseus first encountered the Cyclops when the ship arrived on the land, where there is a boulder in the way. Odysseus believes the Cyclops is strong enough to move the boulder out the way. When the Cyclops first arrives, Odysseus and the men feel threatened, but Odysseus soon calms the Cyclops down and offers wine after eating down a few men. This is showed through the statement, “Cyclops, try some wine/ Here’s liquor to wash down your scraps of men/ I meant it for an offering/ if you would help us home” (ix, 256-259). Polyphemus, the Cyclops, then asks for a name, and Odysseus responds with “ Cyclops, you ask my honorable name?/ Remember the gift you promised me/ and I shall tell you. My name is Nohbdy/ mother father and friends/ everyone calls me Nohbdy” (ix, 272-275). Odysseus does this to keep the identity a secret, so Polyphemus wouldn’t punish Odysseus since the Cyclops is Poseidon’s son. The Cyclops falls asleep, drunk with wine, when Odysseus hardens a wooden stick in the fire, and blinds …show more content…
Odysseus fooled many for the sake of moving on, and returning to Ithaca. Odysseus tricked Polyphemus and blinded his eye, as well as tricking the suitors in believing Odysseus was an old beggar who had no chance marrying Penelope. In the end, Odysseus still returned home, and has now lived his life