Poseidon Had It Out for Odysseus—Here’s Why
Greek mythology is packed with feuds, but few are as intense (or as personal) as the one between Poseidon, the god of the sea, and Odysseus, the wily hero of The Odyssey. Let’s be real—when a god hates you, your life is going to be a nightmare. And that’s exactly what happened to Odysseus.
So, what did Odysseus do to make Poseidon turn his ocean-blue rage on him? Let’s dive in (pun absolutely intended).
The Cyclops Incident: The Moment It All Went South
You ever see someone pick a fight they absolutely shouldn’t have? That’s what Odysseus did when he messed with Polyphemus, a giant one-eyed Cyclops who, as luck would have it, was Poseidon’s son.
During his long journey home from the Trojan War, Odysseus and his crew found themselves trapped in Polyphemus’ cave. The Cyclops started eating Odysseus’ men like they were appetizers, so Odysseus came up with a brilliant (and brutal) plan. He got Polyphemus drunk, told him his name was “Nobody,” and then—wait for it—stabbed him in the eye with a burning stake. Ouch.
Now, if Odysseus had just left quietly after that, things might have been okay. But no. As he and his men were sailing away, Odysseus made the classic mistake of letting his ego run wild. He shouted his real name back at the blind and enraged Cyclops, basically handing him a direct line to daddy Poseidon.
Polyphemus, understandably furious, prayed to his sea-god father for revenge. Poseidon, being the overprotective dad that he was, swore to make Odysseus’ journey home as miserable as possible. And oh, did he deliver.
Poseidon’s Wrath: A Masterclass in Holding a Grudge
If there’s one thing you don’t want, it’s a god-level grudge. Poseidon didn’t just make Odysseus’ life difficult—he made it almost impossible for him to ever see Ithaca again.
For ten whole years, Odysseus was tossed around like a piece of driftwood. Every time he got close to home, Poseidon threw another storm, another monster, another shipwreck his way. It was like the ocean itself was playing an endless game of “Not Today, Odysseus.”
Some of the highlights of Poseidon’s revenge tour? Let’s see:
- Shipwrecking Odysseus near Phaeacia just when he thought he was safe.
- Delaying his return with detours to places like the witch Circe’s island and the Land of the Dead (not exactly scenic vacation spots).
- Sending the sea monster Charybdis and the whirlpool Scylla to make sailing feel like a death sentence.
Talk about overkill.
Was Poseidon Justified, or Was He Overreacting?
Alright, let’s break this down. Did Odysseus mess up? Absolutely. Stabbing a god’s son in the eye is bound to cause some drama. But did he really deserve ten years of non-stop suffering? That’s where it gets debatable.
Some argue Poseidon was just upholding divine justice—Odysseus wasn’t exactly innocent, and the gods loved making mortals pay for their hubris (a fancy word for excessive pride). But others think Poseidon was just being petty. After all, Zeus and Athena seemed pretty cool with Odysseus by the end, while Poseidon was still out there throwing tantrums like a stormy toddler.
It makes you wonder—if Odysseus had just kept his mouth shut after blinding Polyphemus, would he have gotten home sooner? Probably. But then we wouldn’t have The Odyssey, and that would be a tragedy in itself.
Why This Still Feels Relevant Today
At its core, Poseidon vs. Odysseus is a story about the consequences of arrogance and the dangers of making the wrong enemies. Ever had a boss, an ex, or a rival who just would not let something go? Yeah, that’s Poseidon energy right there.
Even today, we see this kind of dynamic play out in everything from celebrity feuds to office politics. (Let’s be honest—if Poseidon had Twitter, he’d be subtweeting Odysseus nonstop.) And in a world where one wrong move can haunt you for years (looking at you, cancel culture), maybe there’s a lesson here: sometimes, it’s best to walk away quietly.
The Takeaway (And a Question for You!)
So, was Poseidon right to hate Odysseus? Or was he just being a vengeful, salty sea god? I’d love to hear your take! Also I have a blog as to why did Perseus killed Medusa. Drop a comment below and let’s chat—just don’t anger any gods while you’re at it.