The One-Eyed Freak

Polyphemus

“…laughter filled my heart to think how nobody's name-my great cunning stroke-had duped them one and all…such a blithering fool he took me for! But I was already plotting…My wits kept weaving, weaving cunning schemes-life at stake, monstrous death staring us in the face-till this plan struck my mind as best.” 

Odysseus, The Odyssey of Homer, by Lattimore ~ Book IX, 461 to 474

I am one of the lucky ones that survived Polyphemus’ wrath! Wow, that guy is huge and he has an orb-shaped eye on his forehead. Oh! I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Anaxagary. I’m one of the best men of Odysseus. I wanted to blog about my past adventure with Odysseus and the one-eyed giant. That was a very exciting and interesting one.

It all started after lunch, near the island of Thrinacia. I was in the same ship with Odysseus and we were eating goat meat during lunchtime. It was really good! We were just chilling and talking when Odysseus suddenly became curious and adventurous. He wanted our ship filled with men to dock on the mainland. I guess he was just being curious about this island. We couldn’t really go against his order so we docked on the mainland. Odysseus went down and called twelve of his best men. I was one of them. He also brought with him the wine that the priest of Apollo gave him. I think this was for the host for him to welcome us since we were going in his house. I think Odysseus made a huge mistake here, he should think twice! 

The island was amazing, there were fruits everywhere and there were also many animals just wandering around. I have never seen such a wonderful island. However, it looked primitive and uncivilized as if no one had been there before. As we were walking, we saw this huge cave and we suspected that it was a cave of a Cyclops. Even though no one was in the cave, by looking at the size of it and the food that was in there, we knew. The fear of death started lingering into our bodies. Cyclopes are known for being uncivilized savages that eat anything that comes into their way. Odysseus, however, found an abundance of food in the cave. He demanded to steal it. He brought us in the cave and we started eating. We were stealing food from the Cyclops. This is not how it’s supposed to be, we should wait for the host and eat not eat without the host. I figured that it was so risky!

Again, we could not do anything. He was our leader and we had to follow him. The Cyclops came and had us for dinner, literally! He devoured two of our men right in-front of us. We were right, these guys have no hospitality at all. The guests are supposed to be welcomed to the house, not eaten! We were horrified at this point since we found that the Cyclops ate humans. It was no ordinary Cyclops. It was Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon. After devouring two of our men for supper, he trapped the rest of us in the cave with an enormous stone. I guess he was saving us for later meals, I hope he wasn't! 

Polyphemus came back and devoured two more of our men. He truly is a cannibal, he eats his victims raw. We offered him three large bowls of wine. He took the three bowls and finished it. We had a good feeling after this. Our plan was going smooth. He demanded to know Odysseus‘ name. The wily hero said, “Nobody.” After three large bowls he was so drunk, he passed out. This was the perfect timing. We struck his eye with a pointed lance and blinded him. He woke up due to the inevitable pain. He called his fellow Cyclopes, who asked him who had done this to him. He said, “Nobody! Nobody is killing me by fraud not by force!” The Cyclops just told him to be quiet and to pray to his father. Then they went home. We were so happy that the Cyclops was now blind and so we had a chance to escape. Odysseus was really wise at this point to say his name was Nobody. 

Odysseus stabbing Polyphemus

The next morning, Odysseus tricked him again. He tied us under the fat on of the ram since they must be taken out to pasture. However, he was still blind. He didn't check underneath the ram so we got out safely. Finally, we headed back to our ships. We were so happy. We nicknamed Odysseus now as “trickster.” He is the master of pranks. Even though it was the son of Poseidon he didn't really care. This just shows how creative and crafty Odysseus is, just like his father. 

So, we sailed in happiness singing songs with our guitars on the boat. When we looked at Odysseus, it seemed like something was bothering him. He was probably guilty of the men that had died. He seemed really sad and almost teary-eyed. When we got a good distance away from Polyphemus, Odysseus stood up. He shouted, “It is not Nobody who stabbed you. It is I, Odysseus. Son of Laertes and King of Ithaca.” The Cyclops, though blind, threw boulders at our ship. He nearly hit us! That guy is good, he must have a hundred-percent accuracy with his eye open. Odysseus had to be careful since Polyphemus would tell his father what had happened. This is what I told him after we got away. 

Polyphemus throwing a boulder

We survived! That was an awesome experience. We landed in the mainland and nearly got killed by Polyphemus, a Cyclops who is the son of Poseidon. We also witnessed how crafty and creative Odysseus really is. Although he got all of us into trouble, he managed to get us out. I feel that Odysseus should really get all of us out since he is the reason why we are in. I guess these are the memories we will never forget.

Image Sources:

http://www.freewebs.com/odysseynewman2008/Polyphemus.gif

http://blog.zebracan.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/cyclops2.jpg

http://hoocher.com/Jean_Leon_Gerome/Polyphemus.jpg