Dempsey Chapter 4 The Cyclops' Cave

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Questions and Answers

Why did Ulysses not want to go onshore?

There were different enemies on every island.

What was the island like that he made landfall on?

Small, mountainous, hilly, full of boulders, and very few trees...seemed deserted.

How many of his bravest men were the landing party?

Why was this island the worst to land on?

It is the home of the Cyclops. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Cyclops?

A huge savage creature that is as tall as a tree and has one eye in the middle of his forehead. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Cyclops like storms?

Storms meant shipwrecks and shipwrecks mean sailors that they can eat. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the largest, fiercest, and hungriest of all Cyclopes?

Polyphemus. Signup and view all the answers

What was the door to Polyphemus's cave?

A large slab of stone. Signup and view all the answers

How many goats were turning and roasting?

<ol start="8"> <li></li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

How many men did Polyphemus eat?

<ol start="2"> <li></li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What did Ulysses give to Polyphemus?

Wine. Signup and view all the answers

What did Polyphemus say he was going to do since Ulysses was polite?

Eat everyone else first and save him for last. Signup and view all the answers

What did Ulysses say his name was?

Nobody. Signup and view all the answers

What did Ulysses do to make the giant sleep?

Got him drunk with wine. Signup and view all the answers

What did Polyphemus do to the man when the sword was in his eye?

He took the soldier and ripped him apart. Signup and view all the answers

How did the men get out of the cave?

They hung on to the bellies of the rams as they ran out of the cave. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Ulysses to regret his final taunt to the Cyclops?

The gods honor courage but punish pride. Signup and view all the answers

How were the men able to get in the boats and float away?

Even though the Cyclops was faster, he kept running into trees which made it easier for them to get away. Signup and view all the answers

How many of the brave men did Polyphemus hit with a boulder when he threw it at the ships?

7 out of the 9 brave men in the middle ship. Signup and view all the answers

What did Polyphemus say in a prayer to Poseidon?

He wished that Ulysses would be punished and that he would be visited by sorceries and shipwrecks. Also, that it would take them many years to get home and when they did, they would be strangers. Poseidon answered his prayers. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ulysses and His Dilemma

Ulysses avoided going ashore on various islands due to potential enemies.
The island where Ulysses made landfall was described as small, mountainous, and seemingly deserted.

The Cyclops' Island

Ulysses sent a landing party of 12 brave men onto the island, which was home to the Cyclops, Polyphemus.
Cyclopes are described as huge, savage creatures with one eye in the center of their foreheads.

Polyphemus the Cyclops

Polyphemus, the largest and fiercest Cyclops, preferred storms as they created opportunities for shipwrecks and potential meals.

The Cave Encounter

The entrance to Polyphemus's cave was a large slab of stone, which suggested a formidable barrier.
Inside, eight goats were seen roasting, representing the Cyclops' available food supply.

Ulysses' Strategy

Ulysses offered wine to Polyphemus to foster a sense of camaraderie.
In response to Ulysses' politeness, Polyphemus decided to eat his men first and save Ulysses for last.
Ulysses cleverly identified himself as "Nobody" to obscure his identity.

Escape from the Cave

To make Polyphemus sleep, Ulysses got him drunk, leading to a critical moment for escape.
During the chaos, Polyphemus attacked, killing a soldier as he reacted to being blinded.
Ulysses' men escaped by clinging to the bellies of rams as they exited the cave.

Consequences of Pride

Ulysses later regretted taunting Polyphemus, as the gods uphold courage but punish prideful behavior.
Despite Polyphemus's speed, Ulysses' men managed to flee since he was hindered by trees.

Aftermath and the Prayer to Poseidon

When Polyphemus hurled a boulder at Ulysses' ship, he struck down seven out of nine men on the middle ship.
In his prayer to Poseidon, Polyphemus requested that Ulysses suffer misfortune, prolonged journey home, and return as a stranger, a prayer that Poseidon honored.

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Test your knowledge on Chapter 4 of Dempsey's tale featuring Ulysses and the Cyclops' Cave. This quiz includes key concepts and details from the chapter, focusing on Ulysses' journey and the challenges he faced. Engage with these flashcards to enhance your understanding of the text.