Odysseus in The Odyssey

In book 9 of The Osyssey Odysseus demonstrates cunning behavior when he arrives to the land of Cyclopes. When trapped in the cave of Polyphemus, Odysseus has almost no other choice than to deceive Polyphemus in order to escape. Polyphemus killed two of Odysseus’ men right upon his arrival and Odysseus needed a witty plan of escape. Odysseus gave wine to Polyphemus in order to get him drunk and while drunk he asks Odysseus’ name. Odysseus responds that his name is “nobody”. Then while Polyphemus was asleep the men stabbed through his eyes with a stake. When the other Cyclops heard his screams they asked what was wrong and he responded, “Nobody’s killing me now”. Polyphemus had been tricked and when morning came Odysseeus and his men escaped by clinging to the ribs of the rams, unseen by Polyphemus.

Although the lies that Odysseus tells in order to escape may seem to speak negatively on his character the slyness should be somewhat praised. The tricks that Odysseus thought of were impressive in the fact that they were creative. One must have quite a talent and imagination to think of such witty ideas. He was also not only trying to save his own life, but his men’s also. This was a brave and thoughtful thing to do in a way.

I do not think that Odysseus’ deceiving ways make him any less of a hero. There was hardly another option for Odysseus to take in the escape of him and his men. Although not so much the stardard heroic story where one brave man risks his own life to save the others, he does save them none of the less. Odysseus could have taken other means and completely killed Polyphemus but he did not. Odysseus used another impressive, heroic plan.