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Blinding the Cyclops prevented him from seeing to retaliate and allowed Odysseus and his men to escape. Killing him would have been risky as they would still be trapped inside the cave with his comrades. Blinding him was a strategic move to secure their safety and to fulfill his revenge.

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Q: Why does Odysseus blind the Cyclops Polyphemus instead of killing him?
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Why does Odysseus blind instead of kill the cyclops when he has a chance?

Blinding the cyclops instead of killing it allows Odysseus and his men to escape undetected, as they can only be released from the cave by the cyclops. If they had killed the cyclops, they would have been trapped in the cave with no way out. Blinding the cyclops is a strategic move to ensure their own safety and freedom.


Why doesnt odysseus kill cyclops?

Odysseus does not kill the Cyclops because he needs his help to escape from the cave where they are trapped. By keeping the Cyclops alive, Odysseus is able to come up with a clever plan to blind him and then escape with his men. Killing the Cyclops outright would have made their escape more challenging.


Why does odysseus blind the cyclops rather than kill him?

Blinding the Cyclops instead of killing him was a strategic move by Odysseus to escape the cave, as he needed the Cyclops to move the boulder blocking the entrance. Killing the Cyclops would have left them trapped inside the cave. Additionally, blinding the Cyclops allowed Odysseus to exact revenge for his men without facing immediate retaliation.


What aspects of Odysseus' character are revealed in the incident with the cyclops Polyphemus?

In this incident, Odysseus shows his cunning and strategic thinking when he comes up with the plan to blind Polyphemus by getting him drunk on wine and then attacking him. He also displays his courage and leadership by being the mastermind behind the plan and leading his men through the dangerous and uncertain situation. Additionally, his arrogance and pride are revealed in his taunting of Polyphemus after blinding him, which ultimately leads to further challenges for him and his crew.


Why does Odysseus blind the Cyclops rather than kill him the giant is asleep?

Blinding the Cyclops instead of killing him allows Odysseus and his men to escape from the cave since the Cyclops can't see to stop them from leaving. Additionally, keeping the Cyclops alive ensures that they can still seek revenge if they need to.

Related questions

How did Polyphemus die?

Polyphemus blames his death on "Nobody" and his friends. "Nobody" is what Odysseus tells him his name is. When Polyphemus tells his friend that Nobody is killing him they don't believe him. They take it as no one is killing him. They say Poseidon (their father) has sent the plague to him. His friends tell him to pray to their father!


Why does Odysseus blind instead of kill the cyclops when he has a chance?

Blinding the cyclops instead of killing it allows Odysseus and his men to escape undetected, as they can only be released from the cave by the cyclops. If they had killed the cyclops, they would have been trapped in the cave with no way out. Blinding the cyclops is a strategic move to ensure their own safety and freedom.


What language does Odysseus use to the Cyclops?

He calls himself "Nobody" or "No-Man". He also gets the Cyclops drunk and pretends to be "Nobody" instead of himself. Polyphemus (cyclops) gets drunk and asks Odysseus his name. He replied with "Nobody." As the cyclops falls down and collapses, Odysseus and his mean put red hot staff into his eye. When the cyclops screams and awakens, people around him ask him what's wrong. Cyclops replied with, "Nobody's killing me!."


Why were the Gods angry at Odysseus?

I believe this answer can found in the odyessy by Homer.They angered him by killing and eating his immortal cattle.


When the giant Cyclops asked Odysseus his name what name did Odysseus give to him?

Odysseus told the Cyclops his name was "Noman" (or no one in the literal Greek) as in Nobody so he tricks him. When Polyphemus cries out to his fellow Cyclopes for help he says "Noman is killing me." One of his fellows says that if "no man" is killing him, it must be illness (a divine affliction).


Why doesnt odysseus kill cyclops?

Odysseus does not kill the Cyclops because he needs his help to escape from the cave where they are trapped. By keeping the Cyclops alive, Odysseus is able to come up with a clever plan to blind him and then escape with his men. Killing the Cyclops outright would have made their escape more challenging.


What lie did Odysseus tell the cyclopes?

1. When the Cyclops Polyphemus asks Odysseus where his ship is, Odysseus lies and says it was destroyed upon the rocks of the shore. 2. Odysseus told the cyclops that his name was "Nobody". When Odysseus and his men blind the cyclops (neither Odysseus nor the Cyclops dies), he yells to his friends for help. They ask him what is wrong and he answers saying, "Nobody's killing me now by fraud and not by force!" (Fagles' translation 9.455). They respond by saying that it must be the plague killing him and they can't help. They advise him to pray.


How does Odysseus defeat Polyphemus?

By killing him, of course!


What aspects of Odysseus character are revealed in the incident with the cyclops?

His curiousity - He wishes to know what the people of the cyclops are like. His greed - He wishes to receive gifts from the cyclops. His courage - He is the first to speak to the cyclops because the others are too afraid. His wisdom - He wisely recognizes that killing the Cyclops would trap them in the cave. His intelligence - Odysseus creates a plan to escape the cave. His skill with tools - Odysseus is able to sharpen the olive trunk into a sharp point. His physical prowess - Odysseus drives the olive trunk into Polyphemus' eye like a screw. His patience - Odysseus waits patiently to escape the cave, waiting until dawn to try to escape. His charisma - Odysseus gets Polyphemus to relax and has him accept his gift of wine. His skill with words - Odysseus cleverly gives Polyphemus a fake name His leadership skills - Odysseus is able to get his men to not kill the cyclops immediately, but aid him with his plan to escape. Furthermore, he makes sure his entire crew is out of the cave before he leaves himself. His arrogance - Odysseus taunts Polyphemus as he leaves the island. His stubbornness - Even after his crew begs him not to, Odysseus continues to taunt Polyphemus.


What foolish thing does Odysseus do in chapter 9?

In chapter 9 of the Odyssey, Odysseus foolishly reveals his true identity to Polyphemus the Cyclops after blinding him. This action leads to Polyphemus seeking revenge and making it harder for Odysseus and his men to escape.


Why does odysseus blind the cyclops rather than kill him?

Blinding the Cyclops instead of killing him was a strategic move by Odysseus to escape the cave, as he needed the Cyclops to move the boulder blocking the entrance. Killing the Cyclops would have left them trapped inside the cave. Additionally, blinding the Cyclops allowed Odysseus to exact revenge for his men without facing immediate retaliation.


What aspects of Odysseus' character are revealed in the incident with the cyclops Polyphemus?

In this incident, Odysseus shows his cunning and strategic thinking when he comes up with the plan to blind Polyphemus by getting him drunk on wine and then attacking him. He also displays his courage and leadership by being the mastermind behind the plan and leading his men through the dangerous and uncertain situation. Additionally, his arrogance and pride are revealed in his taunting of Polyphemus after blinding him, which ultimately leads to further challenges for him and his crew.