Polyphemus
Man-eating Cyclops and son of Poseidon, blinded through Odysseus' ruse.
Overview
Polyphemus is a cave-dwelling Cyclops, keeper of flocks and son of Poseidon. When Odysseus enters his cave, he rejects the stranger's appeal to hospitality, seals the exit and consumes members of the crew. Odysseus escapes through strong wine, the false name Nobody, a heated stake and the sheep. Yet the Cyclops is more than a monster outwitted: blinded, he moves the stone, tends the flock and directs a prayer to his father that turns a local encounter into divine resistance across the homecoming.
Key facts
Rejection of hospitality
He declares that the Cyclopes do not fear Zeus or the norms protecting strangers and suppliants, then eats his guests.
The verbal trap of Nobody
His cry that Nobody is harming him convinces the neighbouring Cyclopes that there is no attacker and they depart.
A prayer that reshapes the voyage
After Odysseus reveals his name, Polyphemus asks Poseidon to prevent or delay the return, creating the causal hinge for later sea disasters.
Relationships
- Poseidonfather of
Polyphemus calls on his father Poseidon for vengeance.
- Odysseusblinds
Odysseus blinds the Cyclops with a stake to escape the cave.
- Blinding of Polyphemustarget of
Polyphemus is blinded after being overcome with wine.
Story appearances
- The Odyssey HomecomingMan-eating Cyclops of the cave
Polyphemus imprisons and eats crewmen, then calls on Poseidon for vengeance after his blinding.
Ancient sources
MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.