The Odyssey Group

Question:

anshank
anshank
Student
High School - 12th Grade

Based on Book 9 of "The Odysessy" Odysseus a reliable or unreliable narrator in regard to the Cyclops?

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Posted by anshank on Thursday September 18, 2008 at 12:31 PM and tagged with book 9, cyclops, homer, narrator, odysseus, odyssey, the odyssey.

Answers:


  1. gbeatty Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    I offer this selection from Book IX as a starting place: " As soon as he had done so he shouted, and cried ‘Shoo, shoo,’ after his sheep to drive them on to the mountain; so I was left to scheme some way of taking my revenge and covering myself with glory."

     

    Odysseus is reliable to do that which serves his ends and covers him with glory. These aren't always the same goals. Sometimes he seems to be following a whim (his goal), even though it won't get him any glory. However, his many lies (to the Cyclops, but also to his own father, etc.) show that he's not reliable in the sense of always telling the truth.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/odyssey/characters

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    Posted by gbeatty on Sunday September 21, 2008 at 12:01 PM