In book 9 of The Odyssey, Odysseus and his crew arrive on the island of the cyclops. When Odysseus and his men arrived in the cave of Polyphemus, (the cyclops) they hoped to receive the customary hospitality extended to travelers in ancient Greek culture. Hospitality was highly valued in ancient Greece, hosts went above and beyond to make their guests comfortable. Because the Greeks believed in the presence and influence of gods and goddesses, hospitality was seen in a way to honor Zeus and other gods associated with hospitality. It was believed that not practicing good hospitality could anger the gods. However, Polyphemus violates the sacred code of hospitality. Instead of welcoming guests, he displays an extremely hostile environment for Odysseus and his men by imprisoning them in his cave and even going as far as eating crew members. Odysseus, being someone who highlights the importance of proper hospitality, expected to be welcomed and treated with kindness. However, they face terrible treatment by the cyclops. In the Polyphemus’ words, ‘Well, foreigner, you are a fool, or from some very distant country.’ ‘You order me to fear the gods!’ ‘My people think nothing of that Zeus with his big scepter, nor any god; our strength is more than theirs.’ ‘If I spare you or spare your friends, it will not be out of fear of Zeus.’ ‘I do the bidding of my own heart.”(Book 9 lines 272-279)
This passage definitely tells the audience a lot about Polyphemus’ perspective and beliefs on Greek culture. Word choice such as calling Odysseus a “fool” indicates that Polyphemus not only disregards Divine Influence, he looks down upon others who practice proper hospitality. The cyclops does not have a well developed sense of community or societal norms that instill fear or respect for the gods. His lack of exposure to Greek society directly influences his arrogant personality and lack of fear towards the gods. The encounter with Polyphemus highlights the role of language in understanding the mentality and perspectives of both Odysseus and the Cyclops. Odysseus is depicted as cunning and intelligent. He makes use of language to devise a plan that ultimately saves him and his men. For example, he cleverly chooses the false name “Nobody” when asked by the Cyclops, allowing him to manipulate Polyphemus and escape. On the other side, this allows the audience to understand Polyphemus’ lack of intelligence. Although the interaction between Odysseus and Polyphemus does not directly focus on gender dynamics, Odysseus, embodying the Greek hero, is a symbol of masculinity. His use of language and charisma align with the traits of a heroic male in ancient Greece. This encounter highlights the power dynamics at play between Odysseus, a mortal human, and Polyphemus, a cyclops. Odysseus uses intelligence and wit to overcome Polyphemus’ physical strength, revealing how brains can triumph brawns. My empathetic response aligns with valuing resourcefulness and cleverness, which emphasize the importance of using one’s wits to navigate power imbalances. Odysseus and his men experience fear, empathy, and a desire for survival, whereas Polyphemus lacks empathy, displays cruelty and a disregard for others’ suffering. My empathetic response moves more toward valuing empathy as a fundamental part of humanity and compassion. In summary, This neglect of hospitality by Polyphemus has significant consequences for him and the remainder of Odysseus’ journey. The theme of hospitality in this specific part of the epic highlights the importance of abiding by cultural norms and the harsh consequences that come when disregarded.