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Read the excerpt from The Odyssey
My heart beat high now at the chance of action,
and drawing the sharp sword from my hip I went
along his flank to stab him where the midriff
holds the liver. I had touched the spot
when sudden fear stayed me if I killed him
we perished there as well, for we could never
move his ponderous doorway slab aside
So we were left to groan and wait for morning
Mark this and return
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What prevents Odysseus from killing the sleeping
Cyclops?
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TIME REMAINING
35:04
He wants to make the Cyclops his ally and friend.
He knows that they cannot move the boulder
blocking the doorway
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User YaoFeng
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Odysseus refrains from killing the sleeping Cyclops to ensure their escape.


Step-by-step explanation:

In the passage from The Odyssey, Odysseus refrains from killing the sleeping Cyclops because he realizes that if he kills him, they will be trapped inside the cave since they won't be able to move the heavy boulder blocking the doorway. Odysseus understands that his and his men's lives depend on removing the obstacle to their escape, so he decides to spare the Cyclops and come up with another plan.


Learn more about Reason for Odysseus not killing the Cyclops

User Erinbrown
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