The Cyclops' Cave
chapter 4
Discussion Director
Summary
Within this chapter Ulysses and his men wander upon an island. They then get lured into a suspicious cave where Polyphemus traps them and eats three of them. Ulysses gives Polyphemus wine making him tired and fall asleep. Ulysses then stabs Polyphemus in the eye with his blazing hot sword making Polyphemus blind. He also tells him his name is know body. The crew and Ulysses then straps themselves to the stomachs of sheep which allow there escape of the cave. They then aboard the ships and Ulysses is arrogant and tells Polyphemus his real name and starts to brag which brings a boulder down onto their ships, killing the crew and he is cursed by Poseidon.
Questions to think about
Why is Polyphemus locked on this island?
What does Polyphemus drink that makes him tired?
Why was Polyphemus so foolish and believed that Ulysses name was actually know body?
How do you think Ulysses behaved in this chapter?
Why do you think Ulysses was so foolish that he chanted at Polyphemus?
Why do you think Poseidon listened to Polyphemus and punished Ulysses?
Literary Luminary
"He's coming!" cried Ulysses. "Run for your lives!" page #25
The significance of this quote is that at this point we are not sure what is going to happen, and we are left with a lot of suspense. Whatever was to happen next would effect the rest of the book, and so the rest of the book relies on what happens to Ulysses and his men after this quote is spoken.
"Driving down with both hands and all the strength of his back and shoulders and all of his rage and all his fear, Ulysses stabbed the glowing spike into the giant's eye." page #23
The significance of this quote is that throughout the story Ulysses is judged for every bad mistake he makes being captain of his crew. His crew does not show much forgiveness towards Ulysses for making carless mistakes. But this quote shows how brave and courageous, and what a thoughtful captain Ulysses can be. This quote will show his crew that he cares about them and that he is strong, and very clever and smart.
"Wander many years before he reaches home, and when he gets there let him find himself forgotten, unwanted, a stranger. Poseidon heard this prayer and made it all happen just that way." page #26
The significance of this quote is that it is a cliffhanger, but it does give us some idea of how the book is going to turn out. It makes us nervous because we know that nothing good is coming for Ulysses, and we know that their main goal, to reach Ithaca is not going to come true for many years, if ever. This quote definetely changes the mood of the story in that we give up some hope for Ulysses and his crew.
Research:
In the Adventures of Ulysses, Ulysses and his crew stopped at an island in search for food. But instead they got themselves trapped in the cave of Polyphemus, A Cyclopes. Ulysses outsmarted Polyphemus by getting him drunk, then blinding him and making his escape.
So In this chapter I decided to further research the Cyclopes of Polyphemus and found out several interesting facts.
According to the author, Homer, Polyphemus is the son of Poseidon and the sea nymph Thoosa. He is a frightening monster with creepy looking features and crave eating human-beings. Another interesting fact about all Cyclopses are that they traded one eye in order to see their future. But the only feature about the future they found out was the day of their death.
Summary
Within this chapter Ulysses and his men wander upon an island. They then get lured into a suspicious cave where Polyphemus traps them and eats three of them. Ulysses gives Polyphemus wine making him tired and fall asleep. Ulysses then stabs Polyphemus in the eye with his blazing hot sword making Polyphemus blind. He also tells him his name is know body. The crew and Ulysses then straps themselves to the stomachs of sheep which allow there escape of the cave. They then aboard the ships and Ulysses is arrogant and tells Polyphemus his real name and starts to brag which brings a boulder down onto their ships, killing the crew and he is cursed by Poseidon.
Questions to think about
Why is Polyphemus locked on this island?
What does Polyphemus drink that makes him tired?
Why was Polyphemus so foolish and believed that Ulysses name was actually know body?
How do you think Ulysses behaved in this chapter?
Why do you think Ulysses was so foolish that he chanted at Polyphemus?
Why do you think Poseidon listened to Polyphemus and punished Ulysses?
Literary Luminary
"He's coming!" cried Ulysses. "Run for your lives!" page #25
The significance of this quote is that at this point we are not sure what is going to happen, and we are left with a lot of suspense. Whatever was to happen next would effect the rest of the book, and so the rest of the book relies on what happens to Ulysses and his men after this quote is spoken.
"Driving down with both hands and all the strength of his back and shoulders and all of his rage and all his fear, Ulysses stabbed the glowing spike into the giant's eye." page #23
The significance of this quote is that throughout the story Ulysses is judged for every bad mistake he makes being captain of his crew. His crew does not show much forgiveness towards Ulysses for making carless mistakes. But this quote shows how brave and courageous, and what a thoughtful captain Ulysses can be. This quote will show his crew that he cares about them and that he is strong, and very clever and smart.
"Wander many years before he reaches home, and when he gets there let him find himself forgotten, unwanted, a stranger. Poseidon heard this prayer and made it all happen just that way." page #26
The significance of this quote is that it is a cliffhanger, but it does give us some idea of how the book is going to turn out. It makes us nervous because we know that nothing good is coming for Ulysses, and we know that their main goal, to reach Ithaca is not going to come true for many years, if ever. This quote definetely changes the mood of the story in that we give up some hope for Ulysses and his crew.
Research:
In the Adventures of Ulysses, Ulysses and his crew stopped at an island in search for food. But instead they got themselves trapped in the cave of Polyphemus, A Cyclopes. Ulysses outsmarted Polyphemus by getting him drunk, then blinding him and making his escape.
So In this chapter I decided to further research the Cyclopes of Polyphemus and found out several interesting facts.
According to the author, Homer, Polyphemus is the son of Poseidon and the sea nymph Thoosa. He is a frightening monster with creepy looking features and crave eating human-beings. Another interesting fact about all Cyclopses are that they traded one eye in order to see their future. But the only feature about the future they found out was the day of their death.
Text Detective:
Literary Devices
Simile: "For here lived the Cyclopes, huge savage creatures, as tall as trees, each on with one eye in the middle of their foreheads." page 17
Simile: "Polyphemus lay on his back, snoring like a power saw." page 22
Sensory Details: "They flung themselves on the spit, and tore into the goat meat, smearing their faces with sizzling meat." page 17
Literary Devices
Simile: "For here lived the Cyclopes, huge savage creatures, as tall as trees, each on with one eye in the middle of their foreheads." page 17
Simile: "Polyphemus lay on his back, snoring like a power saw." page 22
Sensory Details: "They flung themselves on the spit, and tore into the goat meat, smearing their faces with sizzling meat." page 17