Polyphemus Pays Me a Visit
A contemporary Cyclops creature with ties to Homer's Odyssey stops by and imparts gentle reminders, important lessons
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Monday was a bit hectic. Everywhere I turned, there was a new metaphorical fire to put out. By the afternoon, somewhat overwhelmed, I took a moment to step outside and focus my mind. Suddenly, what I thought was the biggest butterfly I had ever seen came frantically flying towards me. Merely inches from my face, it crashed into the porch screen and hung on for dear life against whatever force of nature it was fighting I couldn’t yet comprehend.
I slowly stepped towards it to get a closer look, and upon further inspection I realized it wasn’t a butterfly, but what appeared to be a fully grown Giant Silk Moth. More specifically, a Polyphemus Moth.
I sincerely believe the universe offers us all kinds of answers if we just take the time to listen. As I began researching the Polyphemus Moth more, the Classical connections made me laugh several times over. In one of my recent posts, I remember remarking that Classical philosophy works its way into everything I do. And it seems me taking a quiet moment on my porch to center myself during a crazy start to my week is no different.
Ancient Characters in Contemporary Times
The Polyphemus Moth is named after a famous character from Homer’s Odyssey. During Odysseus’ journey home, he encounters a group of Cyclops monsters, and Polyphemus is the only Cyclops intricately detailed in the story. He and Odysseus participate in a battle of wits and brawn, and that alone is entertaining enough. But the symbolism behind Polyphemus’ character is incredibly enlightening.
Polyphemus is the son of Poseidon, who is most notably known as the god of the sea. Therefore Polyphemus has an immense amount of strength. He’s a bit of an ogre. But even the most unlikeable characters from these ancient texts teach us so many lessons.
His first mistake in meeting Odysseus is he was unkind to the traveler and his men, breaking a highly coveted cultural tradition of Xenia. When he was inhospitable towards visitors, this puts him at odds with Zeus, the king of the gods who puts great value in this custom. What ensues is a clever Odysseus battling it out with a burly Polyphemus. Towards the end of their duel, though it appears our hero narrowly escapes, Polyphemus vows to seek revenge. This final exchange haunts Odysseus throughout the rest of his journey home.
What Can Polyphemus Teach Us?
The tortured Cyclops reminds us of the importance of courtesy, of friendliness to those around us. He reminds us that hubris can be dangerous, and that one must always make an effort to strike a precise balance between confidence and a humble disposition.
Polyphemus’ name means “abounding in songs and legends,” and “many-voiced.” Part of his myth portrayed in different stories highlights him as a skilled musician, but one that ultimately fails due to his massive size (another symbolic gesture for hubris).
Many times, his anger gets the best of him. But it’s ultimately Odysseus’ trickster nature that keeps the feud going, highlighting that while brawn unchecked can be destructive, a mind out of control even for one single decision (and in the Odyssey, the decision to utter one, single word) can actually cause the most damage.
The Polyphemus Moth
The main reason this type of Giant Silk Moth is named after our complicated Cyclops is because of its decorative “eye” on each wing, which resembles the single eye found in the middle of a Cyclops forehead.
But throughout history, when a Polyphemus Moth appears, the striking insect offers more than an aesthetic nod to one of the world’s oldest tales.
Due to their namesake, these moths represent forces of nature. From its need to bust out of a tightly wound cocoon to make its way into the world to the fact that it only lives as an adult for about a week, the universe’s axioms and undeniable realities are represented by the Polyphemus.
The moth represents transformation and change, reminding those it’s visiting to move forward instead of backwards.
It also acts as a gentle reminder that amidst chaos one must maintain composure and not take out their issues on others. Xenia is a part of the Polyphemus’ legacy.
The Polyphemus reminds us of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, especially his Cardinal Virtues. From Prudence (wisdom) to Temperance (balance), the moth reminds us that no matter how much we are getting knocked around by life’s storms, we must maintain course and remain precise with our thoughts, words, and actions.
My Meeting with a Modern Odyssean Character
In that exact moment the Polyphemus Moth came fluttering into my backyard with surprising fury, the lessons and reminders it communicated to me from thousands of years ago were the ones I needed.
Once again, my adopted philosophy and its ancient texts remain so incredibly important, useful, and pertinent.
This adorable Polyphemus Moth had done me a great service, and of course I quickly bonded with it. I got concerned when he appeared to be lethargic and unwell. Was his message for me his final one before the end of his days? That thought was a bit heavy for a Monday.
Here in Northeast Florida, we were (and still are) under an excessive heat advisory. It turns out, a lot of times people think these moths are dying when in reality they are just hanging out until the heat passes and they can comfortably fly on to deliver another important lesson.
He eventually settled under some overgrowth in a plant bed by my porch, and once the sun set and temperatures cooled, he flitted off to his next destination.
Our time spent together was short but impactful. I learned a lot. He took a much needed siesta. Our exchange was a good reminder, in the vein of da Vinci who found delight and wonder in even the earth’s smallest of creatures, that nothing in nature and of this world is unimportant or lacking teachable moments, especially in regards to ethics.
I just hope my upholding of the Ancient Greek cultural tradition of Xenia invites more Odyssean creatures to make a pit stop at my home and leave me pleasantly inspired.