In The Odyssey, the Cyclops named Polyphemus left behind his wooden club in the cave where he is holding Odysseus and his men hostage. Odysseus sees the wooden club and has an idea. Odysseus decides to use the Cyclops' wooden club to destroy the Cyclops.

While trapped in the cave, Odysseus begins to sharpen the wooden club to a fine point. Over an open fire, Odysseus hardens the wooden club which is now a stake or a weapon. When the Cyclops returns to his cave, Odysseus is ready to use the sharpened wooden club against the Cyclops. 

Odysseus uses a strong wine to make the Cyclops drunk. After the Cyclops is in a drunken state, Odysseus prepares to use the sharpened wooden club against the Cyclops. After the Cyclops passes out from being drunk, Odysseus heats the sharpened wooden club, and, with the help of his men, Odysseus drives the flaming stake into the eye of the Cyclops, blinding him then and there. The next morning, Odysseus and his men escape the cave by riding under the bellies of the sheep. The Cyclops cannot see them.