Skip to main content

How do Odysseus and his companions expect to be treated by the Cyclops?

When Odysseus and his crew find the cave of the Cyclops, along with all his animals and cheese, the crew begs him to take some food and return immediately to the ship.  The men seem to sense, intuitively, that they should not be found in the cave.  Even Odysseus had had a bit of a premonition, before he left the ship, that he would "meet a man arrayed in mighty power, a savage, ignorant of...

When Odysseus and his crew find the cave of the Cyclops, along with all his animals and cheese, the crew begs him to take some food and return immediately to the ship.  The men seem to sense, intuitively, that they should not be found in the cave.  Even Odysseus had had a bit of a premonition, before he left the ship, that he would "meet a man arrayed in mighty power, a savage, ignorant of rights and laws."  He was right, because Polyphemus -- although he isn't ignorant of rights and laws -- chooses not to adhere to the codes that most ancient Greeks found acceptable.  


Odysseus, hoping that the Cyclops would feel bound by the religious imperative to provide hospitality to travelers, since they were believed to be protected by Zeus himself, refuses his men, and he stays to meet the owner of the cave in the hope that "he might offer gifts."  Odysseus believes he might get a gift because, often, a host would offer such a guest-gift to a traveler as a kindness.  Despite his premonition, he still seems to expect the Cyclops to behave hospitably, and this was a big mistake!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Can you analyze the poem "Absolution" by Siegfried Sassoon?

Sure! Siegfried Sassoon fought in World War I and was wounded in battle; he spent much of his life speaking out against war, and these pacifist feelings are easy to see in his poems. This one, "Absolution," was published in 1917, the same year that Sassoon was hospitalized for what we know today as post-traumatic stress disorder. "Absolution" is a short poem that contains three stanzas of four lines each. The word "absolution" means "forgiveness," and... Sure! Siegfried Sassoon fought in World War I and was wounded in battle; he spent much of his life speaking out against war, and these pacifist feelings are easy to see in his poems. This one, "Absolution," was published in 1917, the same year that Sassoon was hospitalized for what we know today as post-traumatic stress disorder. "Absolution" is a short poem that contains three stanzas of four lines each. The word "absolution" means "forgiveness," and the v...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more