Question

Read two passages that show a conflict between Odysseus and the Cyclops. What does this conflict reveal about Odysseus?

Answer 1

It reveals that Odysseus was a very smart man, and was able to figure out that if he told Cyclops that his name was Nobody, Cyclops would tell the other cyclopes, and they wouldn't help him because they would only hear: "Nobody was here!"

Answer 2

The conflic between Odysseus and the Cyclops allows the reader to see Odysseus' cleverness and intelligence.

By telling Polyphemus that his name was "Outis" which means "nobody" in Greek, Oddyseus made sure that, when his plan to kill the cyclops were executed, Polyphemus could not get help from his fellow cyclops.

This is because, when they ask the cyclops what was troubling him, Polyphemus answers that "nobody" was killing him causing the other cyclops to leave without helping Polyphemus.