Deconstructing Odysseus

People

Description of Cyclops is contradictory
- “Doesn’t care about their neighbor” (127-128) but comes to Polyphemus’ aid (448-450)
- Don’t fear the gods (306-313) but also calls to Poseidon (585-586)
- Described as a monster, but also acts softly with his herd (495-498, 510-513), talks to his sheep
Cyclops have been described as gentle, loving creatures, as seen in Theocritus’ works

Pyschic Traits
- Has a bond with the gods (specifically, Poseidon)
- Has an understanding of fate, knows that one’s fate cannot be changed (seen in prayer to Poseidon)
Crime
Xenia in the Cyclops adventure
- Odysseus breaks Xenia first by inviting himself inside and trespassing (host doesn’t invite guest in)
- Odysseus eats Polyphemus’ food without permission (260-262) (host doesn’t off a meal)
- Odysseus offers Polyphemus a gift (wine) and Polyphemus reciprocates (eat him last)
  - Both Odysseus’ and Polyphemus’ gifts were deceptive

Outis and Metis - nobody, play on words
Outidanos - “Dwarf, a spineless good-for-nothing”, linked to given name of Outis
- Demeaning insult, calling him a nobody and a smaller force

Reading 1: Odysseus and the Cyclops as foils, with Odysseus being the better one
- Cyclops is large but dumb, culturally strange, a loner with no knowledge of politics, sacreligious
- Odysseus is small but crafty, culturally knowledgable, political genius, religious
Reading 2: Odysseus and the Cyclops as foils
- Cyclops is a big sheperd, minds his own business and lives alone, lives near his neighbors, a tender man, and on good terms with his father Poseidon
- Odysseus is a small human who trespasses an empty house and eats their food; expects hospitality gifts and steals sheep from Polyphemus’ cave
Lotus represent forgetting home, symbolic death for Odysseus and his men because they lose their mission
- Odysseus becomes a giver of lotus; gives Cyclops wine to trick him
- Odysseus shows himself as greed because he gives the Cyclops as much wine as he wants, no moderation