The Odyssey of Homer: The Cyclops of Humanity
The Odyssey of Homer: The Cyclops of Humanity It is universally understood that for every positive there is a negative. It is an inescapable fact that has worked its way into literature of all kinds including the great epic The Odyssey by Homer. In this text, Homer describes a beast called a Cyclops. He is a lawless, violent brute that has multiple meanings throughout the story. Upon a closer look at Odysseus' encounter with this beast, as well as his implications in both a social, and individualistic context, a greater understanding of contradictions within society can be achieved. Understanding why, and how, the Cyclops is viewed as an animalistic figure in Homer's text is critical. The Cyclops' island is the first instance where Homer foreshadows the brute, describing it as "unplown, unsown, forever empty of humankind- the land just feeds droves of bleating goats..." (Homer XI 136-137). The land itself is uncivilized as it is untouched by anything human, and is only fit to support animals. After the sighting of the creatures land, Odysseus actually encounters the Cyclops. He is exactly what the land implies he is: an animal completely separate from the laws of Greek society. He even claims to exist outside of the laws of
Antinous is a man that bears no respect for the Greek codes. the gods saying to Odysseus, "we Cyclops never blink at Zeus" (XI 309). What really defines the Cyclops as an animal, however, is that he lacks any understanding of reciprocity; the fundamental code of Greek society. Not only does he consume Odysseus' food and belongings, he also goes as far as insulting Odysseus in his own home. The servants too must be dealt with, after their abandonment of the codes of Greek society, and their lack of any loyalty towards their master. They all abandon the social codes of reciprocity and seem to exist only to consume that which Odysseus owns. As a separate being from society he represents anarchy and disorder; an outcast from society. As an incarnation within the suitors, he represents the digression of a society that succumbs to temptation. Odysseus himself says "From the rest I've heard not one real prayer that I come back again. Perhaps the worst of these men is Antinous. Upon Odysseus' return, he finds just two servants that have remained loyal to him. Since the Cyclops is outside of the realm of the gods, there is nothing for the beast to base any laws upon. He makes no effort to make his guests comfortable, and later he even murders them for dinner. The Cyclops in Homer's Odyssey is a representation of social and internal contradiction. The idea of the Cyclops' barbarianism does not stop here, however, but is applied with a social context to the suitors and servants.
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