Question

Odysseus is said to be very clever but arrogant, how does this dichotomy get him into trouble on the island of cyclops?

Answer 1

Odysseus's combination of cleverness and arrogance brings trouble upon him on the island of the Cyclops; his hubris compels him to reveal his identity, prompting Polyphemus to curse him which sets his difficult journey home.

Step-by-step explanation:

The character Odysseus, known for his cleverness but also his arrogance, faces significant trouble on the island of the Cyclops due to this dichotomy. In the Greek epic, Odysseus's quick wit enables him to devise a plan to escape from the Cyclops Polyphemus by blinding him. However, his arrogance gets the best of him when he reveals his true identity to the Cyclops, which leads Polyphemus to curse Odysseus and call upon his father, Poseidon, to make his journey home filled with hardships. This prideful mistake exemplifies the Greek concept of hubris, which often leads to the downfall of a Greek hero in classical literature. Aristotle's view on hamartia, or tragic flaw, further highlights that despite high social status and good intentions, a hero's arrogance can trigger a tragic end that serves as a moral lesson to the audience.

Answer 2

He displays arrogance when he tells Polyphemus his name after they have escaped from the island of the cyclops and are sailing away. Odysseus shows considerable hubris when he brags to King Alconis about slaughtering the small village of Ismarus.