The Odyssey
Book 9
Summary
Characters
Lotus-eaters- The lotus-eaters is more of a place. It is a place were people eat lotus flowers. The plant has an affect that makes people delusional. They lose track of there thoughts and they lose track of time.
Cicones- The Cicones is also more of a place. Odysseus and his men sack the island for food, money, women, etc.
Odysseus and his men sacking Cicones
Polyphemus
Odysseus blinding the Cyclops
Themes
Quotes
Analysis- This quote is one of the most important quotes. It leads to Odysseus' long journey home. Odysseus hurt Polyphemus so he cries to Poseidon who then makes life very hard for Odysseus.
"Stranger, you are a simple fool, or come from far off, when you tell me to avoid the wrath of the gods or fear them. The Cyclopes do not concern themselves over Zeus of the aegis, nor any of the rest of the blessed gods, since we are far better than they"
Analysis- This quote explains the cyclops. In any other situation Greeks would honor their guest because they believe if they don't they will be punished by the gods. But since Cyclops don't care about the gods they don't have to follow the rules that regular Greeks do.
"Cyclops- if any man on the face of the earth should ask who blinded you, shamed you so- say Odysseus, radier of cities, he gouged out your eye, Laertes' son who makes his home in Ithaca."
Analysis- This quote is important because now Polyphemus knows who blinded him and can ask Poseidon to revenge him. If Odysseus wouldn't have taunted him, he may have made it home a lot quicker and easier.