Odysseus Vase: Escape From Polyphemus Cave - Essay Sample

Introduction

The Escape of Odysseus Vase is a famous vase. It is a handy-made terracotta vase depicting scenes of Odysseus escaping from the cave of Polyphemus' cave (Giles-Watson 555). These hand-painted vases come in various forms, sizes, and shapes. It is sold out in various museums and other art galleries outlets; this paper describes the images of the vase.

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The one-handed jar in the first image shows a scene from the mythological story of Greek Homer's Odysseus escaping from Cyclops Polyphemus. Odysseus had earlier on blinded Polyphemus, who was still sensitive to sound and could hear the flock walk out of the cave. In this image, Odysseus is strapped under a huge ram, such that his body length is underneath the stomach side of the ram. The sense behind this idea was the fact that Cyclops always touched the back of the animals to ensure that it was them exiting the cave; this indicates the successful escape of Odysseus.

The image painted at the side of the jar depicts Odysseus still underside the ram. His hand holds a sword showing his readiness to cut off the straps from the mighty sheep (Giles-Watson 555). The art shows a background of stars in a night, an impression that he is already of the cave and into the land. There is a visible leather cuirass, which was the primary form of clothing, not for warriors. An empty scabbard of his sword is visible underneath.

The top view image of the vessel shows a figure like a warrior helmet or a warrior with a mask. There is a shield, sword in the sheath, and a spear that seems to lunge to the right being held by the right. The image depicts wit as a skill that made Odysseus escape the giant. He is not clothed as a warrior, and the mode of escape is far intelligent. the helmets on the top of the vase might be a representation of the prisoners who had escaped with him from the cave (Giles-Watson 555). He had earlier on witnessed most of his sailors being brutally eaten by the giant, which he had deceived with funny false names. The comrades are depicted as heroes because Odysseus had described them as men who had no fear in any instance.

The body stature of the ram is enormous. It has a prominent horn structure, and the muscles can be seen. This indicates the burden that the ram had to bear because of Odysseus's weight under it. It is narrated that the ram which always came first in the heard of polympheus came last from the cave. The Monster holds a conversation with the ram expressing his wishes to catch "no man," The witty name that Odysseus had told the giant (Giles-Watson 555).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the image painted at the vase is a prominent symbolic figure of Greek mythology, which has a deeper meaning of leadership, the greed of the kings, the brutality of the custom, and other elements of the ancient kingdoms. Odysseus is a witty sailor, who units the man-eater Cyclops Polyphemus. He blinds the giant and escapes under cover of a ram. The scene is one of the many scenes depicting power, hospitality, strangers, vengeance, and gods. He is the main character in homer's narrative, and I reputed for being righteous before men, especially his peers and the gods except for the evil ones.

Work Cited

Giles-Watson, Maura. "Odysseus and the Ram in Art and (Con) text: Arthur M. Sackler Museum 1994.8 and the Hero's Escape from Polyphemos." Harvard Studies in Classical Philology 103 (2007): 555-577.