Book 9 - The Cyclops Flashcards
EXAM QUESTION:
Read the following passage and answer all the questions that follow.
‘My words so enraged the Cyclops that he tore off a great pinnacle of rock and hurled it at us. The rock fell just short of our blue-painted bows. As it plunged in the water surged up and the backwash, like a swell from the open sea, swept us landward and nearly drove us on to the beach. Seizing a long pole, I pushed the ship off, at the same time commanding my crew with urgent nods to bend their oars and save us from disaster. They lent forward and rowed with a will; but when they had taken us across the water to twice our previous distance I was about to shout something else to the Cyclops, but from all parts of the ship my men called out, trying to restrain and pacify me.’
a) What impression do you get from this passage of Odysseus’ skills as a leader? Give reasons for your views and support them with details from the passage.
Odysseus’ rashness endangers his men’s lives as well as his own.
- the Cyclops is enraged by Odysseus;
- Odysseus is egotistically concerned with his honour and reputation; while his men just want to survive.
Odysseus leads by example:
-he is the one to seize the long pole and push the ship off.
Odysseus commands and his men obey:
-‘They leant forward and rowed with a will’.
But his men also express dissent:
-my men called out, trying to restrain and pacify me.’
Odysseus seems indifferent to his men’s anxieties:
-He seems isolated and out of control, when he should be cool-headed, keeping the boat intact and his men safe.
Remember that Odysseus is speaking, therefore may deserve respect for showing himself in a bad light, as reckless and irresponsible, unafraid of speaking of the problems he has caused, and perhaps acknowledging his
mistakes. On the other hand, it isn’t certain that he is of the opinion that he is in the wrong.
EXAM QUESTION:
Read the following passage and answer all the questions that follow.
‘My words so enraged the Cyclops that he tore off a great pinnacle of rock and hurled it at us. The rock fell just short of our blue-painted bows. As it plunged in the water surged up and the backwash, like a swell from the open sea, swept us landward and nearly drove us on to the beach. Seizing a long pole, I pushed the ship off, at the same time commanding my crew with urgent nods to bend their oars and save us from disaster. They lent forward and rowed with a will; but when they had taken us across the water to twice our previous distance I was about to shout something else to the Cyclops, but from all parts of the ship my men called out, trying to restrain and pacify me.’
b) The Cyclops cursed Odysseus. Describe what the Cyclops says and does.
Cyclops’ curse:
- he raised up his hands;
- prayed to Poseidon his father;
- to grant that Odysseus should never arrive back home in Ithaca;
- or if he does let it be ‘late’ (ie after many years);
- in a wretched state;
- having lost all his men;
- in a foreign ship;
- and let him find trouble in his house, which Poseidon agrees to.
It is not essential to include what he does (raises up his hands) to achieve thorough, though this should be credited if included.
EXAM QUESTION:
Read the following passage and answer all the questions which follow.
‘My words so enraged the Cyclops that he tore off a great pinnacle of rock and hurled it at us. The rock fell just short of our blue-painted bows. As it plunged in the water surged up and the backwash, like a swell from the open sea, swept us landward and nearly drove us on to the beach. Seizing a long pole, I pushed the ship off, at the same time commanding my crew with urgent nods to bend their oars and save us from disaster. They lent forward and rowed with a will; but when they had taken us across the water to twice our previous distance I was about to shout something else to the Cyclops, but from all parts of the ship my men called out, trying to restrain and pacify me.’
c) Explain how the Cyclops is a bad host to Odysseus and his men.
Explanation of how the Cyclops is a bad host will focus on the concept of Xenia, though candidates may not identify this by name. Issues discussed might include:
- Odysseus brings a gift of strong wine with him to the Cyclops’ cave;
- though his men want to steal cheeses and livestock and run away he wants to stay in the cave until the owner returns, to get gifts;
- and (presumably) to give his gift in return so as to establish relations of xenia (reciprocal hospitality and gift-giving) with whoever lives there;
- Odysseus reminds the Cyclops that Zeus is god of guests (Xenios);
- the Cyclopes care nothing for Zeus or xenia;
- when Odysseus gives the Cyclops his gift of wine the Cyclops responds with an obscene parody of xenia namely, his ‘gift’ to Odysseus will be to eat him last;
- possible references to the Cyclops’ systematic violation of all the conventions of xenia, eg eating guests instead of feeding them, starting to interrogate them straight away, not letting them go on their way when they want, (in a kind of anti-xenia, but this is not essential).
EXAM QUESTION:
Read the following passage and answer all the questions which follow.
‘Our hearts sank. The booming voice and the very sight of the monster filled us with panic. Still, I managed to find words to answer him. “We are Achaeans,” I said, “on our way back from Troy - driven astray by contrary winds across a vast expanse of sea - we’re making our way home but took the wrong way - the wrong route - as Zeus, I suppose, intended that we should. We are proud to say that we belong to the forces of Agamemnon, Arteus’ son, who by sacking the great city of Ilium and destroying all its armies has made himself the most famous man in the world today. We find ourselves at your knees, in the hope that you may give us hospitality, or even give us the kind of gifts that hosts customarily give their guests.’
a) How does Odysseus present himself and his men in this passage? Give reasons for your views and support them with details from the passage.
-He and his men show initial fear.
-Odysseus shows courage and leadership in being the only one able to speak.
-Honest in telling what had happened since Troy.
-He (and his men) are proud of the Greek success,
but he is possibly big-headed.
-Respectful to his commander Agamemnon.
-Tactful in politely asking for help, but alternatively
could be seen as presumptuous.
Candidates may form positive or negative views from the same quotation–accept either viewpoint if well argued.
Candidates can discuss how Odysseus tries to present himself or how he actually does come across (which might be a different thing).
Candidates can score full marks if they examine just Odysseus or his crew in sufficient detail.
EXAM QUESTION:
Read the following passage and answer all the questions which follow.
‘Our hearts sank. The booming voice and the very sight of the monster filled us with panic. Still, I managed to find words to answer him. “We are Achaeans,” I said, “on our way back from Troy - driven astray by contrary winds across a vast expanse of sea - we’re making our way home but took the wrong way - the wrong route - as Zeus, I suppose, intended that we should. We are proud to say that we belong to the forces of Agamemnon, Arteus’ son, who by sacking the great city of Ilium and destroying all its armies has made himself the most famous man in the world today. We find ourselves at your knees, in the hope that you may give us hospitality, or even give us the kind of gifts that hosts customarily give their guests.’
b) What did the Cyclops do between returning to his cave and spotting Odysseus’ men?
- He threw down the firewood he had been carrying.
- He drove the flocks he was milking into the cave, but left the males outside.
- He closed the cave with a massive stone.
- He sat down
- He milked the ewes and goats, putting the young to each mother.
- He curdled half the milk, collected the whey and stored it in baskets.
- The rest was left in pails for a drink at supper.
- He lights a fire.
EXAM QUESTION:
Read the following passage and answer all the questions which follow.
‘Our hearts sank. The booming voice and the very sight of the monster filled us with panic. Still, I managed to find words to answer him. “We are Achaeans,” I said, “on our way back from Troy - driven astray by contrary winds across a vast expanse of sea - we’re making our way home but took the wrong way - the wrong route - as Zeus, I suppose, intended that we should. We are proud to say that we belong to the forces of Agamemnon, Arteus’ son, who by sacking the great city of Ilium and destroying all its armies has made himself the most famous man in the world today. We find ourselves at your knees, in the hope that you may give us hospitality, or even give us the kind of gifts that hosts customarily give their guests.’
c) Explain why the Cyclops is a memorable character.
- His physical characteristics – one-eyed giant, superhuman strength etc.
- His monstrous behaviour in not just eating the men, but doing so suddenly and in a horrific manner.
- His barbarism in scorning the gods.
- His dual nature as a skilled herdsman and monster.
- The sympathy created for him when he talks to his favourite ram.
- The brawn of the giant is defeated by the brains of Odysseus.
- He is responsible for the curse and the reason for Odysseus being delayed getting home – important plot development.
- He highlights Odysseus’ intelligence.
Allow references to how Homer makes the story interesting (eg the puppies simile).
Allow comparisons which suggest why he is more memorable than other characters.
