Tragic Monsters
In one of the stories from The Lost Books of the Odyssey, titled “Blindness”, we are told Polyphemus’s side of the story from his own point of view. Polyphemus is a cyclops who Odysseus tricks and blinds in order to get away and out of his cave. However, in this story, we see that Polyphemus isn’t the villain, but in fact, just a wounded bystander. The narrative that Odysseus is the hero of the Odyssey is flipped on its head and we see how he can actually be a villain.
For me, this version of the story calls to mind the ultimate “misunderstood monster” story of all time: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
For me, this version of the story calls to mind the ultimate “misunderstood monster” story of all time: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
To my knowledge, Frankenstein didn’t take inspiration from the Odyssey. However, if you would like to see more stories inspired by the Odyssey, click here.
In short, Frankenstein, is about a young man, Victor Frankenstein, who creates his greatest masterpiece: a full, anatomically correct man using pieces from corpses. Despite his genius, Victor soon regrets creating his monster as it begins to terrorize local villages, kill innocent bystanders, and presumably hunt Victor himself down. We soon learn that the monster (who is capable of speech) wishes he was never created, for he is alone, feared, and doomed to be killed or wander the earth alone for the rest of his life. In both of these stories, the “monster” truly isn’t a monster at all. Sure, they are portrayed as a typical monster would be: ugly, large in stature, violent, and stupid. While the physical characteristics of these creatures may or may not ring true, they are not violent or stupid. Yes, Polyphemus ate six of Odysseus’s men, and yes, Frankenstein’s monster (we’ll call him Adam) strangled two people, but they were provoked to the point of bursting (although this is not an acceptable excuse for murder). Polyphemus wanted to be left alone and live his life in his cave and Adam simply wanted some company. Because of the actions of other people, both beings were disturbed and pushed to their breaking point, only confirming the beliefs of those who feared them. |
It is blatantly obvious that neither of the creatures are stupid. In “Blindness”, Polyphemus outright says that he knew Odysseus’s name wasn’t “Nobody”, but thought it would be rude to ask more questions. And in Frankenstein, Adam fully regains his ability to speak and write, while also understanding how to frame Victor’s aunt for the murder of his younger brother. Later in the novel we see Adam’s softer side when he speaks to a blind man in his house. The blind man doesn’t judge Adam because he can’t see what he looks like. Eventually, the two sympathize with each other, both feeling isolated in their own homes.
Polyphemus and Adam are portrayed like human beings because they are able to have feelings, wants, and needs. Instead of respecting their boundaries, human beings poke and prod at them as if they are on show for the whole world to see. Neither of these “monsters” are villains; they’re simply tragic and misunderstood beings.