Question

n Book 9 of the Odyssey, Ulysses saves himself and his men by blinding Polyphemus. Which lines reflect the Cyclops's disappointment at being defeated by guile and not by strength? Oh heavens! oh faith of ancient prophecies! This, Telemus Eurymedes foretold (The mighty seer who on these hills grew old; Skill'd the dark fates of mortals to declare, And learn'd in all wing'd omens of the air); Long since he menaced, such was Fate's command; And named Ulysses as the destined hand. I deem'd some godlike giant to behold, Or lofty hero, haughty, brave, and bold; Not this weak pigmy wretch, of mean design, Who, not by strength subdued me, but by wine. But come, accept our gifts, and join to pray Great Neptune's blessing on the watery way; For his I am, and I the lineage own; The immortal father no less boasts the son.

Answer 1

Answer:

The lines that reflect Polypheus disappointment at being defeated by guile and not by strenght are:

"Not this weak pigmy wretch, of mean design, Who, not by strength subdued me, but by wine."

Even though Polyphemus had been foretold that a man by the name of Odysseus would blind him, he did not fear the heroe because he assumed that someone with enough power to harm him, a great cyclops, would be a godlike giant.

Polyphemus feels cheated by Odysseus' guile, since he feels he was not confronted in a fair battle, but numbed and paralyzed with pure wine.

Answer 2

I deem'd some godlike giant to behold, Or lofty hero, haughty, brave, and bold; Not this weak pigmy wretch, of mean design, Who, not by strength subdued me, but by wine.