Whereas, Polyphemus is a brute force and uses his strength to trap Odysseus and his men so he can eat them. Calypso and Circe change their attitude towards Odysseus and offer him Xenia – they therefore comply with the rules of Xenia. Polyphemus, on the other hand, ignores Xenia. Circe and Calypso help Odysseus on his journey but Polyphemus hinders Odysseus journey home. The only similarity that they all share is that they are the children of Gods.
The Phaecians live in a civilised community whereas Polyphemus lives alone in a cave. When Princess Nausicaa first meets Odysseus she is friendly towards him and offers him lots of Xenia such as clothes and bathes him. Polyphemus, on the other hand, when he first met Odysseus he tried to eat/kill him.
When Odysseus arrives at the Phaecian palace he is treated well and with respect. Everyone is friendly to him and they all want to hear about his story. Lots of Xenia is offered towards Odysseus. The Phaecians help Odysseus out immensely on his journey home by providing him with a boat and sailors to get home safely. Polyphemus hinders Odysseus journey home as he is the son of Poseidon, when Polyphemus gets blinded his father seeks revenge on Odysseus.
The Phaecians share no qualities with Polyphemus and are therefore not typical like Polyphemus. The Phaecians are a civilised community whereas Polyphemus is an uncivilised cave dweller.
Scylla, Charybdis and Polyphemus are all terrifying monsters who hinder Odysseus journey. Along with the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis all seek out to entrap Odysseus whereas Polyphemus only defends his area because Odysseus and his men are trying to steal his sheep. Polyphemus, Scylla and Charybdis all kill some of Odysseus men and they all flout Xenia. Therefore, Scylla, Charybdis and the Sirens all share some similarities as Polyphemus – overall they all hinder his journey.
Hermes, messenger of the Gods, helps Odysseus by providing him with moly and advice on how to deal with Circe, therefore he is positive towards Odysseus' journey home. The Lotus Eaters are a peaceful community whereas Polyphemus is aggressive and a cannibal. The Laestrygonians are cannibal monsters who try to eat Odysseus and his crew, therefore, this is a direct similarity with Polyphemus. The Cicones have their city plundered by Odysseus and kills his men, again this is a link to Polyphemus. Aeoulus gives Odysseus a bag of wind, therefore helping his journey, alas when the wind bag is opened by Odysseus' curious crew, Odysseus asks for another bag of wind but is refused.
In conclusion, Polyphemus is not typical of those whom Odysseus meets on his journey home to Ithaca. Most of the habitants that Odysseus meets are civilised and help Odysseus journey home, they also comply to the rules of Xenia. However, there are some characters who share similarities with Polyphemus such as Scylla and Charybdis who all hinder Odysseus journey home. But Polyphemus does have a slightly civilised side such as, he has enough skills to make cheese and loves his flock of sheep. Polyphemus cave was invaded by Odysseus, he did seek out to entrap Odysseus and his men like what Scylla, Sirens and Charybdis did. Overall, Polyphemus is not typical to the characters whom Odysseus meets on his journey home to Ithaca, although there are some characters who share similarities with Polyphemus but the majority are positive towards Odysseus.
