The Odyssey Book 9

Objective: The student will be able to comprehend the characters and summary of Book 9 of The Odyssey. The student will be able to then refer to the analysis as a way of concluding what they learned in the book.
Target Audience: Grades 8-10

  • Characters


  • Summary


  • Analysis
    •
    Characters
    1. Odysseus - King of Sparta; Husband of Penelope
    2. Polyphemus - One-eyed Cyclops; Leader of the Cyclopes
    3. Lotus Eaters - Creators of the deadly lotus plant
    4. Poseidon - god of the sea; Father of Polyphemus
    5. Cyclopes - Followers of Polyphemus

    Summary

    On the tenth day, Odysseus and his men reach the island of the Lotus Eaters. Three of Odysseus' men eat of the plant. The men then have the urge to stay on the island with the other lotus eaters. Odysseus forces them to sail again. Odysseus and his men next reach the land of the cyclops, whose name is Polyphemus. The crew want to steal the sheep, cheeses, and wine that belong to Polyphemus. Odysseus, on the other hand, wants to see who occupies the cave of the Cyclops. Odysseus brings a goatskin full of sweet wine as a "peace offering". Polyphemus catches the men in the cave and ask who they are. Polyphemus views the men as strangers and turns down their wine and god Zeus. Polyphemus then proceeds to eat two of Odysseus' men, then he falls asleep in the doorwary.

    Odysseus knows that he cannot kill Polyphemus because he and his men do not have the strength to move the slab blocking the doorway. Odysseus offers the wine to Polyphemus and begins to get drunk. He then creates a spike from one of Polyphemus' large clubs. Odysseus uses the spike to drive it in the eye of Polyphemus, eventually blinding his one eye. The men use this as a means of escape, while Odysseus tells Polyphemus that is name is "Nohbdy", in order to escape. Odysseus use Polyphemus'sheep to hide themselves and escape past the doorway. As Odysseus is walking out, he reveals his real name. Polyphemus curses Odysseus and his men by praying to the god of the sea and his father, Poseidon. The men pray to Zeus to get them out of trouble.


    Analysis
    Odysseus shows strengths and flaws in this book:
    1. Strengths
      1. Saving his men from the lotus eaters
      2. Offering the wine to Polyphemus
      3. Telling him his name was "Nohbdy"
      4. Devising the plan to use the spike
    2. Flaws
      1. Wanting to visit the Cyclops's cave
      2. Bragging about his victory over Polyphemus