Question

How does Odysseus answer the Cyclops’ question about where his ship was, and why does he answer it in this way?

Answer 1

Answer and explanation:

Odysseus is the main character in Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey", which narrates his journey back home after the war in Troy. At a certain point, Odysseus and his men end up sailing to the land of the Cyclopes, a race of one-eyed giants. The Cyclopes are quite uncivilized and not the brightest creatures on earth. One Cyclops, Polyphemus, immediately kills two of Odysseus' men upon their arrival. When Polyphemus asks Odysseus where his ship is, he replies that it was shipwrecked, in other words, destroyed and sunk, off the coast. Odysseus is lying because he is afraid Polyphemus will indeed destroy his ship. To prevent him from doing so and to be able to escape when the time comes, he tells the Cyclops there was a shipwreck.