The Odyssey Group

Question:

kenzie4320
kenzie4320
Student
High School - 9th Grade

Why doesn’t Odysseus kill the Cyclops when he has the chance?

Book 9 of the Odyssey

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Posted by kenzie4320 on Tuesday August 19, 2008 at 12:46 PM and tagged with characters, cyclops, odysseus, the odyssey.

Answers:

  1. junebug614
    junebug614 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    Although Odysseus is sure he can kill the Cyclops, there is one major problem:  the rock used as a door to the Cyclops's cave is so heavy that it can only be moved by someone as large and strong as the Cyclops himself.  If Odysseus kills the Cyclops before he has moved the rock then Odysseus and his men will still most definitely die in the cave.  To get around this issue, Odysseus comes up with his infamous plan of getting the Cyclops drunk, spearing out the Cyclops's eye, and tying his fellow shipmates to the bellies of the Cyclops's sheep.  Eventually the Cyclops lets the sheep out to graze and the men are able to escape. 

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

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    Posted by junebug614 on Tuesday August 19, 2008 at 1:39 PM