The Validity Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

In book 9 when Odysseus impales a burning wooden staff into Polyphemus’ eye then informs the raging cyclops that his name is nobody is an ideal instance in which directly exemplifies Odysseus’ intelligence significantly benefitting him where using his somatic fortitude would not. Before stabbing Polyphemus in the eye, Odysseus gets him drunk first to ensure he would not have enough coordination to attempt to kill him and his remaining crew members. The triumphant plan of intoxicating Polyphemus before impaling him so that his coordination will be disoriented rather than actually fighting him portrays why Odysseus is often times looked at as an respectable character. In attempt to get the cyclops tipsy, Odysseus says, “Three bowls I brimmed and three he drank to the last drop” (9.405). Then, Polyphemus asks Odysseus
Lastly, Odysseus exemplifies an admirable hero through applying wit over brawn when he suggests him and his crew to cling to the bottom of the rams and hold onto their thick fleece. Instead of fighting Polyphemus to get out of his house, Odysseus knows it is a more clever and secure strategy to beguile the beast opposed to brawling with him. In attempt to safely escape from Polyphemus’ home alive, Odysseus explains, “Each ram in the middle bore a man while the two rams either side would shield him well” (9.479-480). By applying psychological prowess to escape Polyphemus’ residence results in success for Odysseus and his crew members. Odysseus’ intellectual strategy of deceiving Polyphemus by getting him drunk and revealing that his name is nobody, then sneaking out of his home by attaching himself to the bottom of a ram proves how brainpower, in certain situations, is hugely favored over physical brawn. This also exemplifies why Odysseus is often times looked at as a hero, since his perspicacious strategy was