Llt 1213 – World Masterpieces Paper 1

LLT 1213 – World Masterpieces

16 February 2006

Mind over Matter

Life is a game of strategy; one must always plan his next move to be successful. In the epic, The Odyssey, by Homer, Odysseus lived the ultimate strategy game. To win this game, Odysseus needed superior intellect, wit, and patience. He needed to be tactful and resourceful. In book nine, Odysseus came face to face with a monster that towered over him and could have easily devoured him whole. This monster was a Cyclops, a gigantic breed of one-eyed beings. To top it off, this Cyclops was Polyphemus - son of Poseidon.

Locked within the cave of Polyphemus, the crew felt obliged to instantly team up and kill the Cyclops. This was until Odysseus observed the situation. He realized that the only one strong enough to move the boulder was Polyphemus. He intelligently devised a plan to successfully make it out of the cave alive. His plan was simple: get Polyphemus drunk from alcohol and stab him in the eye, blinding him.

After patiently waiting for the right time, Odysseus generously offered Polyphemus wine which soon began to intoxicate him. Eventually Polyphemus demands the name of Odysseus. Odysseus cunningly responds with, “So, you ask me the name I’m know by, Cyclops? I will tell you. But you must give me a guest-gift as you’ve promised. Nobody – that’s my name. Nobody – so my mother and father call me, all my friends” (9. 408-411). After this Polyphemus responds quite egotistically.

Immediately following Polyphemus’ drunken sleep, Odysseus and his men begin sharpening the olive branch into a spear. The men light the branch on fire and jam it into the eye of the Cyclops. Odysseus’ resourcefulness blinds Polyphemus. In a passionate rant, Polyphemus moves the boulder and begins calling for help, but since Odysseus told him his name was “Nobody”, the other Cyclops fail to respond. Odysseus and his men tactfully grab onto the stomachs of the sheep who then lead them to safety....