The Odyssey, Book 9 lines 235-288

Original source: http://classics.mit.edu/Homer/odyssey.9.ix.html

This Online edition was prepared by Carlos Chacon

INTRODUCTION:
Odysseus is a mortal hero from the famous battle of Troy (which lasted a decade) who is fated to have a long and perilous journey before getting back to his home, this trip inside the Cyclops's cave is part of that fated journey. This passage is the initial conversation between Odysseus and a Cyclops (a Cyclops is a one eyed monster with similar features of a human, except of course that they are also giants compared to regular humans and they are also not very civilized) after Odysseus has sneaked inside the Cyclops's cave to take provisions for his voyage back home to ithaca where his wife and son are waiting his return. It is important to note that the troubles told in this passage could have been avoided if Odysseus did not wait for the Cyclops to return to his cave, instead Odysseus could have listened to his men when they told him that they should just take what they needed and get out of the island as soon as possible that way they didn't have to deal with any trouble. However if we are to believe Greek mythology when they tell us that fate is unavoidable (and there are many examples of this) then we shouldn't have to blame Odysseus for what happens in this scene.

EXCERPT:
"'Strangers, who are you? Where do sail from? Are you traders, or do you sail the as rovers, with your hands against every man, and every man's hand against you?'

"We were frightened out of our senses by his loud voice and monstrous form, but I managed to say, 'We are Achaeans on our way home from Troy, but by the will of Jove, and stress of weather, we have been driven far out of our course. We are the people of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, who has won infinite renown throughout the whole world, by sacking so great a city and killing so many people. We therefore humbly pray you to show us some hospitality, and otherwise make us such presents as visitors may reasonably expect. May your excellency fear the wrath of heaven, for we are your suppliants, and Jove takes all respectable travellers under his protection, for he is the avenger of all suppliants and foreigners in distress.'

"To this he gave me but a pitiless answer, 'Stranger,' said he, 'you are a fool, or else you know nothing of this country. Talk to me, indeed, about fearing the gods or shunning their anger? We Cyclopes do not care about Jove or any of your blessed gods, for we are ever so much stronger than they. I shall not spare either yourself or your companions out of any regard for Jove, unless I am in the humour for doing so. And now tell me where you made your ship fast when you came on shore. Was it round the point, or is she lying straight off the land?'

"He said this to draw me out, but I was too cunning to be caught in that way, so I answered with a lie; 'Neptune,' said I, 'sent my ship on to the rocks at the far end of your country, and wrecked it. We were driven on to them from the open sea, but I and those who are with me escaped the jaws of death.'

"The cruel wretch vouchsafed me not one word of answer, but with a sudden clutch he gripped up two of my men at once and dashed them down upon the ground as though they had been puppies. Their brains were shed upon the ground, and the earth was wet with their blood. Then he tore them limb from limb and supped upon them. He gobbled them up like a lion in the wilderness, flesh, bones, marrow, and entrails, without leaving anything uneaten. As for us, we wept and lifted up our hands to heaven on seeing such a horrid sight, for we did not know what else to do; but when the Cyclops had filled his huge paunch, and had washed down his meal of human flesh with a drink of neat milk, he stretched himself full length upon the ground among his sheep, and went to sleep. I was at first inclined to seize my sword, draw it, and drive it into his vitals, but I reflected that if I did we should all certainly be lost, for we should never be able to shift the stone which the monster had put in front of the door. So we stayed sobbing and sighing where we were till morning came.

WORKS CITED