Zackary Park

1:00 PM Tuesday/Thursday
Why is Odysseus not content to let Polyphemus continue to think that
no one had defeated him?
Odysseus has an excessive amount of pride. He is the king of
Ithaca and a great warrior and man. He knows that he is above almost
all men in social and physical statuses. His hubris is clearly evident in
the scene where he taunts Polyphemus. He has not only outwitted the
Cyclops but also blinded him as well, which is a tremendous
achievement since Polyphemus is multiple times larger and stronger
than a human being.
At first, Odysseus says that his name is No one, but being the
hero that he is, he reveals his true identity. He wants Polyphemus to
know that Odysseus was the one who blinded his eye and escaped
from his cave. Perhaps, he wants Polyphemus to tell the others that
the person who blinded him goes by the name of Odysseus, and
through the retelling of his story, his name will continue to spread.
He taunts Polyphemus, telling him that he can be killing you
outright and sending you down to the house of Hades. His men plead
for him to stop, but his pride is much greater than his concern for the
safety of himself and his men. He continues to taunt the Cyclops.
Because of his pride, he reveals his true identity to Polyphemus.
To Odysseus surprise, Polyphemus turns out to be Poseidons son.
Polyphemus prays to Poseidon to prevent Odysseus from returning
home alive or to let him return home late after losing all of his men.
His pride is what ultimately results in his long journey home.