What do we learn about Odysseus in Book 9?
When morning comes, Odysseus and his men escape from the cave, unseen by the blind Polyphemus, by clinging to the bellies of the monster’s sheep as they go out to graze. Safe on board their ships and with Polyphemus’s flock on board as well, Odysseus calls to land and reveals his true identity.
What is the prophecy in Book 9 of the Odyssey?
In a curse repeated by Tiresias as a prophecy (11.125-35) and by Circe as a warning (12.148-53), Polyphemus asks Poseidon to see that Odysseus never makes it home. Or, if the Fates have already determined that he must, then may he arrive late, broken, and alone, finding great troubles in his household (9.590-95).
What mistake does Odysseus make at the end of Book 9?
What mistake does Odysseus make at the end of book 9 that costs his men their lives? Why does he make this mistake? He lets his pride get in the way and tells the Cyclops who is his. This leads it to tell Poseidon who blinded him, adding an extra enemy on Odysseus’s list.
How is Odysseus a hero in Book 9?
Odysseus also shows his heroism when his quick thinking and bravery allow him to come up with a plan to wound Polyphemus, the Cyclops, so that he cannot catch Odysseus and his men. … This bravery and cleverness are both heroic. Finally, Odysseus’s loyalty and devotion to his wife and son are likewise heroic.
How is Odysseus a good leader in Book 9?
To conclude, Odysseus has the qualities of a great leader. Although he is not able to keep all of his men alive he still makes a big effort to help them survive and it is his men’s arrogance and stubbornness which costs them their own lives.
How is Odysseus selfish in Book 9?
Odysseus makes a selfish decision when he leads his crew to stay in Polyphemus’s cave thinking he would offer gifts and Odysseus would “accept (his) help, or any gifts/” he had to “give” (9.726-727). This is a selfish act because he is putting his crew in danger for something that would only benefit himself.
What does Polyphemus symbolize in the Odyssey?
Polyphemus is the only Cyclops that is described in detail in the Odyssey. He is the king of the Cyclopes on his island. The singular eye of the Cyclopes in the Odyssey seems to represent the foolishness of a singular focus without taking other perspectives and consequences into account.
Why did Odysseus tell Polyphemus his real name?
There, Odysseus was trapped in a cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus who ate two of the men the king of Ithaca was traveling with and was about to eat Odysseus himself. It is then, that Odysseus got Polyphemus drunk, told him that his name is “Nobody” and after that blinded the one-eyed giant.
What was Odysseus biggest mistake?
Odysseus has made some mistakes. No one’s saying otherwise. He blinded a Cyclops, he invoked the wrath of Poseidon, and remember that time he got distracted by a sexy sea-witch for an entire year? (Full disclosure, he also stole some cheese.) But by far his biggest mistake was hiring his crew.
How does Odysseus change in book 9?
Through the story he does evolve and develop as a character; by the end of the story, he is more patient and is able to put his pride to the side, and becomes more cunning and even reduces his stature of King of Ithaca, and disguises himself as a beggar, and allowing abuse from the suitors.
What qualities of leadership does Odysseus show in Book 9?
Odysseus has the defining character traits of a Homeric leader: strength, courage, nobility, a thirst for glory, and confidence in his authority. His most distinguishing trait, however, is his sharp intellect.
What qualities of leadership does Odysseus show in Book 9 give two examples and two supporting pieces of text evidence?
Odysseus has demonstrated leadership, bravery, and cunning in his dealing with Polyphemus.
What happens in Book 9 of the Odyssey?
The Odyssey Book 9 Summary & Analysis. The one-eyed Cyclops have no laws, no councils, no farms, no ships or traders. Odysseus and the crew from his ship went to explore the continent while the other men waited on a nearby island. When the men reached the shore, they saw a large cave with flocks of sheep and goats in the yard: the home of a giant.
How are the books of Odysseus told?
Books 9 through 12 are told as flashbacks, as Odysseus sits in the palace of the Phaeacians telling the story of his wanderings. These books thus give background not only to Odysseus’s audience but to Homer’s as well.
What does Odysseus say about his wanderings in the Odyssey?
But his pride in his name foreshadows Odysseus’ questionable judgment in identifying himself during the escape from Polyphemus. The next four books (Books 9-12) deal with the hero’s wanderings and are the most widely known in the epic. Odysseus does not discuss, at this point, why he was blown off course and unable to return directly to Ithaca.
What did Odysseus do to the Phaeacians?
Summary Reluctantly, Odysseus tells the Phaeacians the sorry tale of his wanderings. From Troy, the winds sweep him and his men to Ismarus, city of the Cicones. The men plunder the land and, carried away by greed, stay until the reinforced ranks of the Cicones turn on them and attack.