Why Does Poseidon Hate Odysseus? - Ivypanda

Home > Q&A by Experts > Literature > 1 hour! We'll deliver a 100% AI-free paper this fast Learn More Related Papers "The Odyssey" by Homer DiscussionComparative Literature: "The Odyssey" and "The Aeneid"Varying Moral Worlds in The Odyssey and AeneidWomen in Literature: Oedipus the King and The OdysseyAn Exemplary Hero: Homer's "The Odyssey"The 11 Book of Homer's "The Odyssey"Themes in Books VIII-XI of Homer's "The Odyssey"Gender Role Expectations in "The Odyssey" by Homer"Bhagavad-Gita", "The Odyssey" and "The Epic of Gilgamesh": Contrast and Comparison“The Odyssey” by Homer and Its Legacy: A Romantic Vision of the State A

The Olympic god Poseidon is one of the many foes of Odysseus. His hatred for the epic hero began after the famous Greek blinded Poseidon’s son, Polyphemus. His son’s humiliation prompted the god of the sea to use his powers to prevent the hero from returning home to Ithaca.

Detailed answer:

Poseidon’s wrath is one of the main obstacles on Odysseus’s journey home after the triumph in the Trojan War. Homer’s poem presents the hero with many antagonists who want to stop him from getting home. However, there is no opponent more imposing and dangerous than the god of the sea himself. Poseidon, the brother of Zeus and one of the Olympic gods, takes offense at Odysseus’s treatment of his son, Polyphemus. He cannot forgive the embarrassment his child bears at the hands of the hero and his crew.

We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts a custom essay specifically for you --- writers online Learn More

Polyphemus, the son of the god of the sea and a sea nymph, is the most well-known Cyclops in Greek mythology. Cyclopes are described in myths as human-like giants with one great eye on their forehead. They are skilled workers but prefer to stay away from humans. Homer introduces Polyphemus in Book 9 of the epic. He describes him as a cruel and savage cannibal who does not concern himself with men’s conflicts and wars. The giant is depicted living on the island of Sicily. There he tends to his sheep and prays on the passing ships.

In The Odyssey, Odysseus and his men meet Polyphemus at the beginning of their journey back to Ithaca. After their encounter with the lotus-eaters, the Greeks sail north to Sicily. They stop there to look for more provisions. On the island, the hero and his crew find a cave stocked with wine and food. They enter the lair without realizing that it belongs to a vicious giant. Polyphemus later blocks them. The Cyclops does not grant the intruders the custom of hospitality and eats some of Odysseus’ men. Some of them are held hostage.

Claiming that his real name is “Nobody,” Odysseus tricks the giant into getting drunk. As Polyphemus falls asleep, he blinds him with a burning spear. The following morning, the hero and his remaining men cling to the sheep’s underbellies and manage to escape the enraged Cyclops. In his hubris, Odysseus boasts and tells the giant his real name. Therefore, adding insult to injury. Blinded and embarrassed, Polyphemus prays to his father to avenge him. Angry at the humiliation his son has suffered, Poseidon complies.

Poseidon in The Odyssey is portrayed as the embodiment of divine wrath. He is angry with Odysseus but does not kill him. Instead, the Olympic god ensures the hero and his family suffer. He makes his excruciating journey back home longer and more challenging. Poseidon punishes the Greek by preventing him from getting what he wants – seeing his family again. God does not consider killing Odysseus. Death is not a fitting punishment for the indignity the hero installed upon Polyphemus. Instead, Poseidon controls the seas so that Ithaca’s king is driven away from his home and family.

Answer's rating: Answered by IvyPanda® One of our experts with a specialization in literature has kindly provided an answer to this question. Feel free to rate the answer and let us know if you liked it. Updated: Aug 21st, 2024 Cite Related Questions How does Athena help Odysseus? How does Odysseus escape from Polyphemus? How Did Odysseus Get the Scar on His Leg? Why does Odysseus leave home? How does Odysseus convince Penelope he is Odysseus? How does Odysseus escape Charybdis the second time? Ask your question Ask your Question Name Email(We won’t publish it) Pick subject Pick a subjectArtBusinessCultureDesignDiet & NutritionEconomicsEducationEntertainment & MediaEnvironmentFamily, Life & ExperiencesHealth & MedicineHistoryLawLinguisticsLiteraturePhilosophyPolitics & GovernmentPsychologyReligionSciencesSociologySportsTech & EngineeringTourismTransportationWarfare Please leave this field empty. Submit question Sending... By clicking "Submit question" you agree to IvyPanda’s Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions and want to receive electronic communications from us. The Odyssey Study Guide Menu

• The Odyssey
  • Short Summary
  • Summary & Analysis
  • Characters
  • Themes
  • Literary Devices and Symbols
  • Quotes
  • Questions & Answers
  • Homer: Biography
  • Essay Topics & Examples
  Show more

Cite This page You're welcome to use this expert's answer in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

• APA-7
• MLA-9
• Harvard
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

Reference

IvyPanda. (2024, August 21). Why does Poseidon hate Odysseus? https://ivypanda.com/q/why-does-poseidon-hate-odysseus/

Work Cited

"Why does Poseidon hate Odysseus?" IvyPanda, 21 Aug. 2024, ivypanda.com/q/why-does-poseidon-hate-odysseus/.

References

IvyPanda. (2024) 'Why does Poseidon hate Odysseus'. 21 August.

References

IvyPanda. 2024. "Why does Poseidon hate Odysseus?" August 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/why-does-poseidon-hate-odysseus/.

1. IvyPanda. "Why does Poseidon hate Odysseus?" August 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/why-does-poseidon-hate-odysseus/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda. "Why does Poseidon hate Odysseus?" August 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/why-does-poseidon-hate-odysseus/.

Copy to Clipboard Copied! Get a 100% AI-free paper