Illustration of Odysseus tied to a ship's mast

The Odyssey

by Homer

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Student Question

What question does Cyclops ask Odysseus that "puts him to the test" in the Odyssey?

Quick answer:

The Cyclops tests Odysseus by asking where he docked his ship, hoping to trick him into revealing its location. Odysseus had claimed to be a visitor entitled to hospitality, but the Cyclops, who disregards such customs, seeks to catch him off guard. Odysseus, aware of the Cyclops' intentions, cleverly lies, saying his ship was wrecked and he is the sole survivor, thus avoiding the trap.

Expert Answers

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The question that Cyclops asks Odysseus specifically to "put him to the test" is "tell me where you made your ship fast when you came on shore".  Odysseus has said that he is a visitor from afar and as such is entitled to hospitality and a gift.  Cyclops, scornful that Odysseus does not know that Cyclops' people follow no laws and therefore care nothing about how they treat their guests, hopes to "trip him up" further and asks, if his explanation of where he is from is true, then where is his boat - "is it round the point, or is she lying straight off the land?"  Odysseus, realizing that "(Cyclops) said this to draw (him) out" was "too cunning to be caught in that way" and so answers with a lie, telling Cyclops that his ship has been wrecked, and that he and those who had come ashore with him are the only survivors.

(Quotes are form the translation of Book IX of Homer's "Odyssey" referenced at the first link below)

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