Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Reading Notes: The Odyssey, Prisoner of the Cyclops (Part A)

Homer's Odyssey has often been recreated and retold throughout the years. One story that shows Odysseus' famous wit and cleverness is the story of the Cyclops, although this reading focuses on how he and his crew became prisoners (Source: Homer's Odyssey, by Kline)

Reading Notes
  • Homer takes VIW (Very Important Wine) with him off the ship, because his gut told him too (whatever you say bro)
  • The language is very flowery and detailed, as to be expected (he goes into a lot of detail about how important the VIW is)
  • His men want to rob the so-called savage whose cave they find and enter, but Odysseus says no, because he wants to see how hospitable the savage is
  • Although they still start a fire without warning and eat the savage's food, so I don't see how that's any different than what his men wanted, apart from leaving them vulnerable.
  • Apparently the giant isn't very observant, as he entered the cave with some of his flock, sealed it, milked the goats that came inside, and treated the milk, all before seeing the intruders (I get they slipped into a corner but still)
  • Odysseus introduces himself, and lies to the giant about where the ship is because the giant shows no pity to him or the others (he also gives a really long introduction)
  • The cyclops kills two of his men, eats them whole, and then falls asleep with no worry about the little men trapped in his cave.
  • Odysseus' first thought is to kill him, but realizes that would be stupid, as he and his men can't move the rock blocking the entrance.

Odysseus and his men eventually manage to free themselves from the cyclops, but not without danger (Source: Wattpad)

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