The Odyssey: Character Motivation

Questions and Answers

What deeper meaning is revealed through the Cyclops's interpretation of the prophecy?

Ignoring a prophecy leads to punishment by the gods.

People are expected to treat guests with respect, and hospitality is rewarded.

Epic heroes can have qualities that one would expect only a supernatural being to have. (correct)

Home is the best place to be.

What motivates Cyclops to ask Poseidon to interfere with Odysseus's journey home?

He realizes that Odysseus was destined to take his eye.

What information did you include in your response? Check all that apply.

Odysseus continues to insult the Cyclops.

The Cyclops is angry because he was blinded and tricked. (correct)

The Cyclops wants revenge.

The gods have power over men's lives.

The Cyclops offers friendship to Odysseus, but he declines. (correct)

Based on the epic simile, how should the poem's listener picture the Cyclops's eye?

like a hissing piece of hot metal in cold water Signup and view all the answers

What prevents Odysseus from killing the sleeping Cyclops?

He knows that they cannot move the boulder blocking the doorway. Signup and view all the answers

Which excerpts contain examples of epic similes? Check all that apply.

Or are you wandering rogues, who cast your lives like dice, and ravage other folk by sea? Signup and view all the answers

The epic simile in this excerpt shows:

how helpless Odysseus's men are in the clutches of the Cyclops. Signup and view all the answers

What inference can be made about the Cyclopes?

They are uncivilized creatures who are potentially dangerous. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the Cyclops?

He does not live by the same rules and customs as the Greeks. Signup and view all the answers

In the excerpt, the word 'charm' is being compared with:

name Signup and view all the answers

According to this excerpt, Odysseus:

is prideful and overly confident. Signup and view all the answers

What motivates Odysseus to tell a lie to the Cyclops?

Odysseus does not want to reveal their only means of escape. Signup and view all the answers

What two unlike elements are being compared in this simile?

the Cyclops and the mast of a ship Signup and view all the answers

What motivates Odysseus to reveal his name and put his men in more danger?

anger and pride Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Odyssey: Central Ideas and Character Motivation

The Cyclops, despite his size and power, is manipulated and defeated by Odysseus, demonstrating that epic heroes can exhibit qualities of cunning usually attributed to supernatural beings.
Cyclops’s plea to Poseidon reflects his anger and desire for revenge against Odysseus for blinding him, acknowledging Odysseus as his destined foe.
Odysseus's insults to the Cyclops after blinding him reveal his pride; the Cyclops’ offer of kindness is rejected due to Odysseus’s need for vengeance.
The imagery of the Cyclops's eye being compared to hissing metal in cold water enhances the intensity of the blinding act.
Odysseus refrains from killing the sleeping Cyclops because he understands they cannot escape from the cave without moving the giant's boulder, prioritizing survival over revenge.
Epic similes in the text highlight the Cyclops's violence and the helplessness of Odysseus's men, painting a vivid picture of their perilous situation.
Cyclopes are described as uncivilized and chaotic creatures, lacking societal norms, which underscores their danger to Odysseus and his crew.
The Cyclops dismisses the gods’ influence, contrasting Greek values of hospitality and respect for the divine, indicating his brutish and self-reliant nature.
Odysseus uses deception regarding the fate of his ship to protect his escape plan and his crew, knowing the Cyclops is connected to Poseidon.
The comparison of the Cyclops to a ship's mast signifies his immobility and the ease with which he consumes his victims, illustrating his gluttony.
Odysseus reveals his identity out of anger and pride, risking further danger for notoriety and to claim his victory over the Cyclops.

Description

Explore the central ideas and character motivations in 'The Odyssey'. This quiz delves into the interactions between Odysseus and the Cyclops, analyzing themes of cunning, pride, and survival. Test your understanding of the characters' dynamics and the literary techniques employed in this epic classic.