The Odyssey: The Cyclops Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Where is the Cyclops when Odysseus and his men enter the cave?

The Cyclops is in the field taking care of his sheep.

How does Odysseus describe the Cyclopes?

He seemed rather a shaggy mountain reared in solitude.

Why did Odysseus feed the Cyclops strong liquor on the second night?

He wanted to get the Cyclops drunk and fall asleep so he could blind it with a stake, then he would hide his men under the sheep to escape.

Where do Cyclopes live?

Caves. Signup and view all the answers

What do the Cyclopes think about Zeus and the gods?

They don't fear Zeus or the other gods. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Cyclops want to know and how does Odysseus respond?

The Cyclops wants to know where they left their ship; Odysseus says it got wrecked so the Cyclops doesn't go after the men still on the ship. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first villainous thing the Cyclops does?

He grabbed two men and killed them. Signup and view all the answers

How many of the 12 men did the Cyclops kill in total?

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After being stabbed in the eye, why did the other Cyclopes not come to the Cyclops' aid?

Because he said 'Nobody' tricked him. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Cyclops pray to Poseidon for?

For Odysseus to suffer when he returns. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Polyphemus' dad?

Poseidon, the sea god. Signup and view all the answers

What goddess did Odysseus pray to for help?

Athena. Signup and view all the answers

How is the object that Odysseus finds in the cave related to Athena?

It is related to Athena because the olive tree is her symbol. Signup and view all the answers

What did Odysseus give to the Cyclops?

Odysseus gave him 3 bowls of delicious wine. Signup and view all the answers

What did Odysseus tell the Cyclops his name was?

Nobody. Signup and view all the answers

Where do the men go after they escape the cave?

They go directly to the ship. Signup and view all the answers

How did Odysseus prevent the crew from hearing the sirens?

He used beeswax in their ears. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Scylla.

A sea monster with 6 heads. Signup and view all the answers

How are the men punished and where does Odysseus return?

Zeus makes a storm that kills them in the sea and destroys the ship. Signup and view all the answers

On which island does the sun god keep his cattle?

Thrinakia. Signup and view all the answers

How long did the storm continue until the ship's food and wine was depleted?

A month. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the sun god?

Helios. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Odysseus want to bypass the sun god's island?

He knew his men would be tempted to eat the cattle. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Cyclops Encounter in The Odyssey

The Cyclops is tending to his sheep in the fields when Odysseus and his men enter his cave.
Odysseus describes the Cyclopes as resembling "a shaggy mountain reared in solitude."
On the second night, Odysseus feeds the Cyclops strong liquor to intoxicate him, allowing Odysseus to blind him with a stake and hide his men under sheep to facilitate their escape.
Cyclopes inhabit caves, which serve as their living quarters.
They show no fear or reverence for Zeus or other deities, indicating their isolationist nature.
The Cyclops inquires about Odysseus' ship; Odysseus fabricates a story that it was wrecked to prevent the Cyclops from pursuing the remaining men.
The Cyclops commits his first act of violence by seizing and killing two of Odysseus' men.
In total, the Cyclops kills six of Odysseus’ twelve men during the encounter.
After being blinded, the Cyclops calls for help, but other Cyclopes do not respond as he states that "nobody" has harmed him.
The Cyclops prays to Poseidon, asking for Odysseus to endure suffering upon his return home.
Polyphemus, the Cyclops, is the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea.
Odysseus prays to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, seeking assistance during his ordeal.
An olive tree, found in the Cyclops' cave, symbolizes Athena, as it is associated with her.
Odysseus offers the Cyclops three bowls of delicious wine to further intoxicate him.
He cunningly tells the Cyclops that his name is "Nobody" as part of his escape plan.
After their escape, Odysseus and his men head directly to their ship.
To protect his crew from the Sirens' song, Odysseus uses beeswax to block their ears.
Scylla is depicted as a fierce sea monster with six heads, posing a significant threat to sailors.
The men are punished by Zeus, who unleashes a storm that drowns them at sea and destroys their ship.
The sun god Helios keeps his cattle on the island of Thrinakia.
A storm lasts for a month, leading to the depletion of food and wine on the ship.
Odysseus aims to bypass Thrinakia, knowing that his men would be tempted to eat Helios' cattle.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the encounter between Odysseus and the Cyclops with these flashcards. Each card focuses on key details and descriptions from this iconic scene in Homer's epic. Perfect for students studying 'The Odyssey' and anyone interested in classic literature.