Read the excerpt from Part 2 of The Odyssey by Homer.

Question

We would entreat you, great Sir, have a care
for the gods' courtesy; Zeus will avenge
the unoffending guest.'

He answered this

from his brute chest, unmoved

'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.

How does this excerpt prove that Odysseus causes his crew’s demise?

by explaining his haphazard travels
by describing his loyalty to Zeus
by showing his physical weakness
by revealing his ignorant assumptions

Answer 1

The excerpt illustrates how Odysseus causes his crew's demise by revealing his ignorant assumptions. When Odysseus and his crew encounter the Cyclops, they appeal to the Cyclops' respect for the gods, specifically mentioning Zeus and the concept of hospitality. However, the Cyclops, Polyphemus, demonstrates a complete disregard for the gods and mocks their beliefs, indicating that he is far stronger and does not fear divine retribution.

Odysseus' assumption that all beings, including the Cyclopes, would heed the gods reflects a misjudgment of the situation and underestimates the danger they are in. This misconception leads them into a precarious situation, and ultimately contributes to their downfall when Polyphemus captures and kills several of Odysseus' men. Therefore, it is his ignorance and overconfidence regarding the respect for the gods that plays a critical role in the demise of his crew.