Odysseus Address To The Cyclops In Homer's Odyssey

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Odysseus’ address to the Cyclops reveals his naïve exigency and the Greek tradition of hospitality. The conflict between Odysseus and the Cyclops is first conveyed through the diction of Odysseus’ introduction. He describes the Cyclops as having a “rumbling voice and” being a “monstrous hulk.” The Cyclops is clearly angry over his encroaching. Odysseus, blinded by desperation, interprets the Cyclops’ anger as poor etiquette towards guests. He feels the need to both calm the Cyclops and build himself up to the Cyclops’ stature. To assuage the Cyclops, he opens his tale with “Men of Achaea we are and bound now from Troy…Battling Home,” because he thinks the crew’s story can persuade the Cyclops to let their transgressions pass. By choosing “battling” instead of traveling, a struggle is conveyed to the Cyclops, and Odysseus hopes this will inspire leniency. Additionally, He later describes the group’s fame…show more content…
He utilizes his knowledge of customs again “in hopes of a warm welcome, even a guest-gift, the sort that hosts give strangers.” The “warm welcome” has already been used and Odysseus is trying to alleviate the tension of being unwelcome guests. In between his biographical lines, Odysseus tactfully adds in humility. The transition from self-acclaim to modesty is most notable with the line, “We have come to you, ” Consider the “strange tack,” Odysseus has travelled, the line implies he and his crew are unequivocally “suppliants—at your (the Cyclops’) mercy!” They have nowhere to go and are low on supplies so the only option is to be, “at [the Cyclops’] knees.” He is trying to present a humble side of himself but it reveals his true egotistical nature without realizing it. Odysseus opens with regaling himself because he values his story higher than everything else. He is smart enough to be modest but only after he has exulted himself. Odysseus does not consciously start off with gloating, exemplifying his

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