The Odyssey

Cyclops Reading Questions

Using your own paper, answer the following questions using complete sentences.
Pages 660-665 (Purple book) 899-904 (Blue book)
1. Who is Polyphemus?
2. What might Polyphemus represent?
3. Why is Odysseus the cleverest of the Greek heroes?
4. Why do you think Odysseus and his men make an offering to the gods?
5. Using lines 230-233, how does Homer make it clear that Odysseus faces a formidable opponent
in the Cyclops?
6. Using lines 234-239, what is the Cyclops preparing for?
7. What does the Cyclops ask the Odysseus and his men (list all four questions)?
8. Using lines 249-261, explain Odysseus’ response to the Cyclops.
9. Why do you think Polyphemus asks where Odysseus’ ship is?
10. Using line 272, how does Odysseus answer? Why?
11. What does Polyphemus do to two of his men?
12. Using lines 281-282, what literary element is used to describe Polyphemus? What effect does this
have on the scene?
13. To whom do Odysseus and his men cry?
14. Why does Odysseus decide not to kill Polyphemus?
15. Using lines 297-298, what literary element is used to describe the new day?
16. Using lines 311-323, what do you think Odysseus plans to do with the staff?
17. How does Odysseus decide who will help him?
18. How does that show Odysseus’ exhibits good leadership qualities?
19. What does Odysseus offer Polyphemus? Why does he offer this?
20. What does Odysseus tell Polyphemus his name is?
21. What is ironic about the Cyclops saying he will eat Nohbdy last?
22. What do Odysseus and his four men do to Polyphemus?

Pages 666-670 (Purple book) 905-909 (Blue book)

1. Using lines 386-391, to what is the blinding of the Cyclops compared?
2. What literary device is this?
3. For whom do the Cyclopes set up a howl?
4. What do the other Cyclopes ask Polyphemus (list all four questions)?
5. What is Polyphemus’ response? Why is this ironic?
6. Why do the Cyclopes say they will be of no use?
7. Is it wise for Odysseus to laugh, considering that he and his men are obviously not yet out of
danger? What does it reveal about his character?
8. Using lines 416-420, how would you characterize Odysseus?
9. What steps does Odysseus take to prepare for their escape?
10. What does Polyphemus asks the last ram?
11. What is ironic about the statement in line 454? What does it actually mean?
12. Why are the ‘fellows’ faces’ full of joy and then grief?
13. What few words does Odysseus send back to the adversary?
14. How does this affect Polyphemus?
15. How might Odysseus’ revelation of his name create problems for him and his men?
16. Using lines 517-522, do you believe Polyphemus’ promise? Is he trustworthy? Explain.
17. Summarize Polyphemus’ prayer to Poseidon.
18. Considering the invocation, what parts of Polyphemus’ curse come true?