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What mistake does Odysseus make with the Cyclops?

Author

Andrew Vasquez

Updated on June 28, 2026

Odysseus makes the mistake of telling Polyphemus his real name and he makes the mistake of taunting the cyclops. The result of the taunting conducted by Odysseus was rocks being hurled his way by Polyphemus. The result of him yelling his name at Polyphemus is Polyphemus praying to his father Poseidon to curse Odysseus.

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Hereof, what does Odysseus do to the Cyclops when he leaves?

Odysseus and some of his men find the cave of Polyphemus; when they discover that the Cyclops is away, his men try to convince Odysseus to take some cattle and cheese and leave before the giant returns. First he manages to get the giant man drunk enough to pass out; before he does, Polyphemus asks Odysseus his name.

Also, what did Odysseus do wrong? In general, Odysseus and his men made some decisions that lead to some very negative effects. The first bad decision that Odysseus made was poking Polyphemus' eye out. Even though it was necessary to escape, poking the sea god's son's eye out is never a good idea.

People also ask, why does Odysseus give the cyclops a false name How does it help him?

Expert Answers info Odysseus tells Polyphemus his name is "Nobody" to prevent Polyphemus from being able to successfully call for help when Odysseus enacts his escape plan. When Odysseus and his men are trapped in Polyphemus's cave, he's horrified as the cyclops eats some of his men.

What is Polyphemus curse?

Polyphemus curses Odysseus as Odysseus is leaving the island on his ship. He curses him because Odysseus is rash enough to shout back at the cyclops and tell him who has conquered him.

Related Question Answers

What are the consequences of Odysseus behavior?

What are the consequences of Odysseus' actions? Odysseus' pride and anger cause him to taunt Polyphemus. He cares because Polyphemus killed his men and insulted him. Due to Odysseus' taunting and tricking Polyphemus, he brings on the continued wrath of Poseidon.

How did Odysseus trick the Cyclops?

While the cyclops is out with his sheep, Odysseus sharpens a piece of wood into a stake and hardens it in the fire. Next, he gives the cyclops wine to get him drunk, and he tells the cyclops his name is “Nobody.” When the cyclops falls asleep, Odysseus blinds him with the hardened stake.

How did Odysseus get out of the Cyclops cave?

When Polyphemus returns, Odysseus gets him drunk on wine that he brought along from the ship. 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.

Why does Odysseus not kill Polyphemus when he first gets the chance?

Odysseus doesn't kill Polyphemus when he first gets an opportunity to do so because if he killed him then they would perish as well. Odysseus tells him his name Nobody. He does this so that no one will know that it was him.

Why did Odysseus kill the Cyclops?

Odysseus, the hero from Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, does not kill the brutish cyclops, Polyphemus, because Odysseus and his men would be trapped in the cave. Odysseus and his men, though strong, would not be able to move the stone that closes off the cave. Only Polyphemus would be able to move the rock.

How does the Cyclops react to what Odysseus says?

Odysseus lies and tells Polyphemus (the cyclops) that his boat was shipwrecked off the coast of his island. He does this because he knows that Polyphemus will destroy his boat if he thinks it is sitting out there. That way, as soon as they can leave his cave, they will board their ship with his ewes and cheese.

What did Odysseus do to Polyphemus?

The Cyclops then fell fast asleep in a drunken sleep. Odysseus and his men then took the timber and heated the sharpened end in the fire until it glowed red. Then, with all their strength, they pushed the red-hot point into the eye of Polyphemus. The Cyclops howled and woke up flailing, but he was now blind.

What gift does Polyphemus give to Odysseus?

wine

How does Odysseus die?

Having come to Ithaca, he drove away some of the cattle, and when Odysseus defended them, Telegonus 3 wounded him with the spear he had in his hands, which was barbed with the spine of a stingray, and Odysseus died of the wound. But others say that Odysseus died of Old Age, as Tiresias predicted.

What is ironic about the use of the name Nohbdy by Odysseus?

Odysseus' defeat of the Cyclops by paradoxically naming himself "Nobody" is ironic because the very name which Odysseus used prevents him from being named as an aggressor against the Cyclops.

Why doesn't Odysseus respect the Cyclops?

He doesn't care what Zeus thinks, and he has no respect or fear of the gods. In lines 185-190, why does Odysseus lie to the Cyclops about his ship? Only the Cyclops is strong enough to move the rock slab, so Odysseus can't kill him or he will be trapped forever.

What is ironic about the Cyclops's saying he will eat Nohbdy last?

Moreover, Polyphemus tells Odysseus that his guest-gift will be that the Cyclops will eat him last. However, this is hardly a gift! If Polyphemus eats Odysseus last, then Odysseus will have to watch the monster devour each of his other men, prolonging his sorrow (and perhaps guilt) over their loss of life.

Where is Odysseus from?

According to Homer, Odysseus was king of Ithaca, son of Laertes and Anticleia (the daughter of Autolycus of Parnassus), and father, by his wife, Penelope, of Telemachus.

Who is Telemachus in Greek mythology?

Telemachus, in Greek mythology, son of the Greek hero Odysseus and his wife, Penelope. When Telemachus reached manhood, he visited Pylos and Sparta in search of his wandering father. On his return, he found that Odysseus had reached home before him. Then father and son slew the suitors who had gathered around Penelope.

Who is Penelope in the Odyssey?

Penelope is the wife of the main character, the king of Ithaca, Odysseus (Ulysses in Roman mythology), and daughter of Icarius of Sparta and his wife Periboea. She only has one son by Odysseus, Telemachus, who was born just before Odysseus was called to fight in the Trojan War.