Odysseus and Polyphemus the Cyclops
A Classic Adventure Tale from Homer's Odyssey
Feb 14, 2009 Christopher Minster
Odysseus was one of the heroes of the Trojan War, the cleverest of the Greek heroes. It was Odysseus who thought of the Trojan Horse, which finally led to the destruction of Troy. After the fall of Troy, Odysseus had many adventures while on his way home. His encounter with Polyphemus (or Polyphemos), the Cyclops, was one of them.
The Cyclopes
The Cyclopes (the word is the plural of Cyclops) were monsters spawned by the Gods: enormous, muscular giants who only had one eye in the center of their foreheads. In ancient days they had aided humans, building great walls for the cities of Mycenae and Tiryns. They also served as assistants to blacksmith God Hephaestus at his great forge. They lived in mountains and caves and tended great flocks of sheep and goats.
Odysseus Visits the Land of the Cyclopes
On his way home after the war, Odysseus and some of his men landed on the shore of the island where the Cyclopes live. Odysseus, hearing the goats and sheep, took twelve of his best men and went off to investigate.
The Cave of Polyphemus
Odysseus and his men soon found a great cave, far from the other caves of the Cyclopes. The cave was full of round cheeses and pens with lambs and young goats. His men urged Odysseus to steal the cheeses and goats and flee, but he wanted to see the giant for himself. Instead, they built a fire, made a sacrifice to the Gods and ate some cheese.
Polyphemus Returns
The Cyclops returned, herding his sheep and goats ahead of him into the cave. He placed a huge rock over the entrance, far too large for Odysseus and his men to move. Odysseus spoke to the giant, who was surprised to find them there. The Cyclops promptly dashed two of Odysseus’s men on the floor and ate them before falling asleep. The next day, Polyphemus left, leaving the stone in place to trap the men inside, although not before eating two more of Odysseus’ men.
The Second Night
Odysseus thought of a plan. Polyphemus had left a great staff there, as big as a ship’s mast. The Greeks modified it, making a giant spear out of it. Polyphemus returned and ate two more men. Odysseus proceeded to get him drunk on wine. When the giant asked his name, Odysseus replied “Noman.” A drunk Polyphemus promised to eat him last as a favor. When he was asleep, the remaining men drove the spear into his one eye, destroying it.
Escape From the Cave
Polyphemus bellowed for the other Cyclopes to come to his aid. When they came, they asked him who was attacking him. He replied “No man (Noman) is murdering me by treachery.” The other Cyclopes thought that if no man was injuring him, then it was surely the Gods and there was nothing they could do and they left him. In the morning, Polyphemus had to let his flocks out but did not want the Greeks to escape, so he spread his mighty arms across the entrance to the cave after moving the rock. Odysseus and his men escaped by clinging to the bellies of great shaggy rams: the not-too-bright Polyphemus only felt their backs.
Escape from the Island
Odysseus and his men herded the great flocks to his ship, where he was met with much rejoicing. Once they were away, he called out to Poyphemus to taunt him, saying that even though he was not as strong as the giant, he was cleverer and was the agent of Zeus’ wrath for eating guests. Polyphemus, enraged, threw great boulders at the ship, almost capsizing it. Once he was a safe distance away, Odysseus continued to taunt him, telling him his real name.
Source:
Hendricks, Rhoda A. Classical Gods and Heroes. New York: Morrow Quill Paperbacks, 1974.
Polyphemus and Odysseus
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