Nature vs. Culture in Odyssey Essay

The imagery of nature and culture connects every scene from Book 9 to Book 12 in Odyssey. On the land of Cyclopes, Odysseuss encounter with the one-eyed uncivilized giant unveils Odysseuss cleverness as a civilized gentlemans gentleman being Nevertheless, Odysseus eventually fails to overcome the flaw of valet de chambre beings characteristic, as he tells Polyphemus about his real mortal identity when he is sailing away, which ultimately brings Poseidons revenge to Achaeans. At one point homophile civilization teaches Odysseus the skill of using wooden staff and wine to fight with Polyphemuss strength, but the nature of superpower can easily surpass human beings wisdom. When Circe in Book 11 turns Odysseuss men into pigs, when the blind prophet Tiresias foretells Odysseuss fate, and when Zeus punishes Odysseus with another storm, Odysseus and his men are powerless but take their destiny.The conflict between nature and culture connects humans world with gods world, thus makes eve ry story interesting to follow as uncivilized creatures possess human characteristics and civilized human beings possess limited superpower. For example, in book 10, when Circe turns Odysseuss men into pig, Odysseus can only overpower Circe by following Hermes instruction submit this herb, which is one of great virtue, and keep it about you when you go to Circes house, it will be a talisman to you against every kind of mischief(Book X, 54). When Odysseus rushed at her with sword drawn, Odysseus is in a position where he is even able to overcome the power of an heavenly creature.Both Polyphemus and Circe represent the power of nature, as their world does not have any law or morality, while odysseuss journey represents the power of culture, as the man of culture defeats powerful immortal creatures through cleverness and self-restraint.