The Odyssey

The Odyssey’ places emphasis on cunning and guilefulness rather than

strength as in the former epic; elucidated in Odysseus’ dealings with

Poseidon’s son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. Compelled

Composed approximately in 700 B.C., Homer’s epic narrative, ‘The

Odyssey’ depicts the homeward voyage of the legendary Greek hero

Odysseus. The Epos, commonly known as “The Wanderings of Odysseus” are

the protagonists’ recounting of his perilous misadventures to King

Alcinous of the Phaecians; to date, the most celebrated and noted

section of the great epic. Contrasting ‘The Iliad’, ‘The Odyssey’

places emphasis on cunning and guilefulness rather than strength as in

the former epic; elucidated in Odysseus’ dealings with Poseidon’s son,

the Cyclops Polyphemus. Compelled by curiosity to explore the island,

Odysseus opts to refrain from pillaging a discovered cave glutted with

provisions, choosing to his crew’s dismay to linger and test the

inhabitant’s hospitality rather than scuttling to the ships. Holding

no interest in civility or hospitality, the insidious Polyphemus

entraps Odysseus and his men cannibalistically consuming them.

Utilizing his guile Odysseus initiates through a chain of events his

masterful plan of escape. This passage, illustrating the most renowned

example of Odyssean cunning is vital to ‘The Odyssey’ because it

exemplifies through motifs and literary devices the major themes of

deception and cunning over strength.

A critical component of the passage supported by motifs, the theme of

deception helps to reaffirm the extract’s importance to ‘The Odyssey’

as a whole. Through the employment of deception, supported by the

motifs of lies, Odysseus’ Machiavellian trick ensures not only

immediate, but future security. Questioned as to his name, Odysseus

conscious of the imperative importance to his greater plan of escape

cleverly lies, “My name is Nohbdy” (397); the sole reason for his

survival. Blinded, Polyphemus’ howl beckons the other Cyclops who ask

inquisitively of the screams. Appealing for help he cries: “Nohbdy,

Nohbdy’s tricked me, Nohbdy’s ruined me!” (443) But told that nobody’s

tricked him, the other Cyclops return to their slumber. Had Odysseus

never implanted his initial lie, an act of consummate deception and

deceitfulness, his fate would have been sealed with the Cyclops

brethren entering to identify the...

... middle of paper ...

...eye – different than saying I

shoved it in, so the language and diction is powerful

Drunk hiccupping not only is visually imagery but is also very

powerful.

Imagery brings out meaning more

Power

For a hero of the Iliad, they would have blinded polyphemus at first

chance, but stressing the importance of the two themes of BLAH AND

BLAH, the necessity of …is seen in this passage.

Motif of cunning tricks is not in this passage but the trick is in

getting Cyclops drunk anyway.

Odysseus’s inventiveness in this situation is a tribute to the hero’s

manipulation of the truth.

So basically by putting on a disguise he ensures the future safety of

his men so Polyphemus can’t curse them.

Established by Homer in the beginning lines of the passage, the theme

of deception works to clarify the importance of this passage.

emphasize, in this cardinal representation of Odyssean cunning, the

major theme of cunning over strength.

In alien worlds with other people

Machiavellian

How it resembles cunning

Talk about theme and how it is important to the story? And then

connecting you can say how its shown. How it applies to rest of

Odyssey and give examples.