Examples Of Polyphemus In Odysseus

Polyphemus the one-eyed monstrosity Homer’s “The odyssey” is one of the most well-known poems in Greek literature. The poem describes the incredible journey of the Odysseus. Odysseus faces many difficult challenges amongst his journey. One of them which being the Cyclops, or generally known as Polyphemus. Who is a one-eyed monstrosity, who lives companionless residing in a dark hollow cave. Throughout the poem, Homer consistently presents the reader with unsatisfying descriptions of Polyphemus. To develop the character of Polyphemus, Homer use vulgar diction, literal imagery, and similes to reveal the uncivil character of Polyphemus. Homer’s use of vulgar diction suggests that Polyphmeus is a heartless and brutal being. For example, when Odysseus and his men hide unsuccessfully in the Cyclopes cave. An example of crass diction would be when the author describes the cyclopes, which is stated in this quote “In the next land we found were

For example, the quote, “then he dismembered them and made his meal, gapping and crunching like a mountain lion-everything; innards, flesh, and marrow bones” (). The author could have avoided the complete description by just saying they were eaten. But, the author chooses to describe the messy feast the cyclops was having because it shows how viciously the men were eaten. Another example of vivid imagery would be, “He clutched at my companions and caught two in his hand like squirming puppies, to beat their brains out spattering the floor. Then he dismembered them and made his meal” (233-235). This quote describes the “brains out spattering the floor” instead of simply saying he had devoured them. This quote also suggests that he is a cannibalistic monstrosity. A person with the correct mind wouldn’t do such a harm to random visitors. The flamboyant imagery used suggests the brutality of Polyphemus and the uncivil acts he takes