This Is the End of the Encounter Between Odysseus and Polyphemus. Summarize What Happens in These Lines and Discuss the Significance of Odysseus' Behavior

Comprehension Quiz #2: Books 9-12 in The Odyssey

1. Turn to book 9, lines 529-562 (pp. 226-227). This is the end of the encounter between Odysseus and Polyphemus. Summarize what happens in these lines and discuss the significance of Odysseus' behavior.

After long enduring the torment and savage acts of Polyphemus, Odysseus and what is left of his men succeed in an extremely cunning escape from his cave. Quickly, and with fear still in their eyes, Odysseus and his crew aboard their ships and begin to make a hasty flee from the island. Almost free from long-lasting suffering, Odysseus discloses his identity to Polyphemus once offshore the island. This act by Odysseus illustrates a dramatic contrast to the wisdom, honor, and intellect that Odysseus embodies throughout all of book nine up until this point. Odysseus torments Polyphemus as the rage inside both of them builds up. Odysseus' is furious at the Cyclops for several reasons. Odysseys reflects on his inhospitality when he screams, "You shameless cannibal, daring to eat your guests in your own house--so Zeus and the other gods have paid you back!" Odysseus' rage at Polyphemus is reasonable and justified, however the actions he takes as result of this fury are disgraceful, and ultimately affect the fate of Odysseus and his men. Not only does the action itself, of revealing his name, serve as an important premise, but the way in which Odysseus is described in this scene reflect a lot on Greek values and culture. "Cyclops--if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so--say Odysseys, radar of cities, he gouged out your eyes, Laertes' son who makes him in Ithica!" In these lines, Odysseus demonstrates the act of Hubris, a theme extremely eminent in Ancient Greek culture. He does not just tell the Cyclops his identity, but he makes sure to emphasize the importance of a prominent role in Greece during this time, ensuring the recognition of his name around the world. This excessive pride and arrogance that overtakes the character of Odysseus shields him from what is right and what is wrong, and in due course, Odysseus suffers greatly against Poseidon's immortal wrath.

2. Turn to book 12, lines 166-217 (pp. 276-77). Odysseus and his crew confront the threat of the Sirens. Summarize what occurs in these lines? What is the significance of this passage?

In this passage, Odysseus and his crew make their way to the Sirens. Odysseus passes on Circe's of temptation reoccurs over and over again through many books in the Odyssey. In this passage, the temptation of woman is reflected in the character of Odysseus, who begs his crew to unbind him from the ship. The Sirens, like calypso, are important figures in this novel as they further the character role of powerful woman that reoccurs throughout the poem. Odysseus forgets all thoughts