The Cyclops

Lines 249-261

‘We are from Troy, Achaeans, blown off course

by shifting gales on the Great South Sea;

homeward bound, but taking routes and ways

uncommon; so the will of Zeus would have it.

We served under Agamemnon, son of Atreus—

the whole world knows what city

he laid waste, what armies he destroyed. g

It was our luck to come here; here we stand,

beholden for your help, or any gifts

you give—as custom is to honor strangers.

We would entreat you, great Sir, have a care

for the gods’ courtesy; Zeus will avenge

the unoffending guest.’

What is Odysseus attempting to do by calling on Zeus and referencing Agamemnon?

• Odysseus is trying to show that he is blessed by the gods.

• Odysseus is trying to show that he is friends with powerful people and intimidate the Cyclops.

• Odysseus is trying to explain to Polyphemus why is he on his island.

• Odysseus is trying to set the scene for Alcinous' court.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

‘You are a ninny,

or else you come from the other end of nowhere,

telling me, mind the gods! We Cyclopes

care not a whistle for your thundering Zeus

or all the gods in bliss; we have more force by far.

I would not let you go for fear of Zeus—

you or your friends—unless I had a whim to.

Tell me, where was it, now, you left your ship—

around the point, or down the shore, I wonder?’

What word best describes the attitude of The Cyclops towards the gods?

• nervous

• brave

• dismissive

• powerful

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

‘You are a ninny,

or else you come from the other end of nowhere,

telling me, mind the gods! We Cyclopes

care not a whistle for your thundering Zeus

or all the gods in bliss; we have more force by far.

I would not let you go for fear of Zeus—

you or your friends—unless I had a whim to.

Tell me, where was it, now, you left your ship—

around the point, or down the shore, I wonder?’

What line supports the tone?

• You are a ninny

• Tell me, where was it, now, you left your ship—

  around the point,

• We Cyclopes

  care not a whistle for your thundering Zeus

  or all the gods in bliss

• we have more force by far

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Having a ________________ tone towards the gods will cause......

• the gods to fear the Cyclops.

• the gods to punish the Cyclops.

• the gods to laugh at the Cyclops.

• the gods to punish all the Cyclops kind.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

‘My ship?

Poseidon Lord, who sets the earth a-tremble,

broke it up on the rocks at your land’s end.

A wind from seaward served him, drove us there.

We are survivors, these good men and I.’

What does Odysseus lying about his ship demonstrate about Odysseus?

• He is a dishonorable man.

• He is a brave warrior ready for battle.

• He is patient and kind.

• He is clever and smart.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Far out,

as far off shore as shouted words would carry,

I sent a few back to the adversary:

‘O Cyclops! Would you feast on my companions?

Puny, am I, in a Caveman’s hands?

How do you like the beating that we gave you,

you damned cannibal? Eater of guests

under your roof! Zeus and the gods have paid you!’

What does this taunting demonstrate about Odysseus?

• He is brave in the face of danger.

• He is arrogant and dumb in the face of danger.

• He is smart and quick on his face in the face of danger.

• He is not thinking about anything but his own glory.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

How does Odysseus show his fatal flaw (Hubris) as he is escaping the Cyclops's island?

• He encourages his crew to keep rowing even after Polyphemus throws a boulder at the ship
• He makes the crew turn around because he forgot his wallet in the cave
• He reveals his real name to the Cyclops because he wanted Polyphemus to know exactly who blinded him
• He makes his crew tie him to the mast of the ship so he wouldn't be tempted to kill Polyphemus

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

What is the Cyclops’s curse on Odysseus?

• Odysseus never gets home
• If he does get home, make it be a long time and a difficult journey and he loses all his men
• If he does get home, it will be with a different ship and things will be a mess on Ithaca
• All of these

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Who is the Cyclops' father?

• Zeus
• Hermes
• Apollo
• Poseidon

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.8.9

Why does Odysseus lie about his ship?

• He is a pathological liar

• To protect the ship and his men

• His tragic flaw is lying

• To make sure the Gods protect it

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9