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Bulfinch’s Mythology · Character

Polyphemus

One-eyed Cyclops who imprisoned Ulysses and his men.

minor

Also known as the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Cyclops, Cyclops

First appearance: i introduction

Polyphemus shows up with force in The Rural Deities—Erisichthon—Rhoecus—The Water Deities—Camenae—Winds. The page is where that presence becomes real.

The Cyclops who loved Galatea, mentioned among the Nereids.
In the storyThe Rural Deities—Erisichthon—Rhoecus—The Water Deities—Camenae—WindsOpen this moment free

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In The Rural Deities—Erisichthon—Rhoecus—The Water Deities—Camenae—Winds: The Cyclops who loved Galatea, mentioned among the Nereids.

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The fuller portrait of Polyphemus sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Polyphemus in i introduction

Character Web

17 connections

A slice of how Polyphemus sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

ULUlyssesCUCupidCICirceAEAeneasTHThorPOPolyphemus

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Miscellaneous Mythological and Romance Figures
  • Greek and Trojan Heroes
  • Virgilian and Ovidian Figures

+12 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional peak of Tristram’s brief reunion with…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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In the story

Polyphemus appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Polyphemus in i introduction