The Odyssey Group
Question:
slideslider
Student
High School - 9th Grade
In "The Odyssey," what "laws" of behavior and attitude does Polyphemus violate? Explain. [infer]
Answers:
-
amethystrose Teacher
High School - 9th GradePosted by amethystrose on Friday April 25, 2008 at 10:07 AMOn Polyuphemus' island, there are no rules or laws at all. in the eyes of the Greek soldiers (Odysseus included), he violates the (Greek) laws of hospitality. Polyphemus unceremoniously munches on Odysseus' men while holding conversation with Odysseus, not because he was angry or punishing them for entering his cave without permission; he eats them because he sees them merely as food that wandered into his house. He does not offer the "visitors" food or drink because that is not part of his culture, but Odysseus in upset by this. It is the arrogance of the traveler within strange lands that leads to the assumption that the laws back home should be the same laws everywhere else. And that still is in effect today.