Thus, when Odysseus stabs Polyphemus in the eye, Polyphemus cries for help to his fellow cyclopes that “Noman is killing me.” Of course, the other cyclopes do not come to Polyphemus aid because they believe that no one is hurting him. While being held captive by Polyphemus, Odysseus tells the cyclops that his name is Noman. The infamous cunning of Odysseus is prominent in Book IX. Polyphemus invokes his father, the sea-god Poseidon, to kill all of Odysseus’ crew and make his return home miserable. When Odysseus and his crew are far from shore, Odysseus taunts Polyphemus and tells him his true name. Finally, he hides under Polyphemus’ sheep and exits the cave undetected. Then he fashions a stake from the cyclops’ club and stabs Polyphemus in the eye, blinding him. First, he offers Polyphemus wine until the cyclops passes out. Polyphemus eats two members of Odysseus’ crew and promises to eat the rest.Īware of the dire situation, Odysseus contrives a plan to escape.
The cyclops, named Polyphemus, moves a large stone in front of the entrance of the cave and thus prevents Odysseus and his crew from escaping.
The cave-dweller is a cyclops – a large, strong, and grotesque monster with only one eye. When the owner finally returns to the cave in the evening with his sheep, Odysseus realizes he has made a mistake. But Odysseus resolves to await the arrival of the owner, hoping that he will receive a present from him as his suppliant. The crew urges Odysseus to steal the goods and bring them back to the other island before the owner returns. Upon arriving on the island, they enter a vast cave and find stores of cheese, milk, and meat. They feast on the sheep, and then Odysseus decides to sail with some of his crew to a neighboring island and explore the cause of the fires that they see there. The crew next lands on a small island filled with sheep. Odysseus forces them onto the ship, binds them beneath the deck, and sails away. After tasting the plant, the men no longer wish to return home, but rather desire to remain on the island and eat lotus for the rest of their days. On the island, Odysseus’ men encounter the inhabitants, who offer them lotus to eat.
Odysseus and his men next land on the island of the Lotus-eaters. They achieve momentary success, but eventually they are repelled by the Ciconians and forced to sail away. Shortly after the destruction of Troy, Odysseus and his men attack Ismarus, the city of the Ciconians.
In Book IX of Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus reveals his true name to Alcinous and the Phaeacian citizens and relates the tale of his adventures after the Trojan War.
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