What mistake does odyyseus make while he and his men flee the cave?

Answer 1

Though Odysseus had told the cyclops his name was "Nhbdy" (sounds like "nobody" so when another cyclops asked the initial cyclops who had his eye pierced and he replied "Nbdhy did this to me", a move Odysseus used in order to cleverly save himself form punishment), when he was safe in his ship he made the arrogant mistake of announcing his real name to the cyclops in a pointless, prideful gesture, and therefore ticked off Poseidon. Or I think that's how it went...I'd double-check if I were you.

Answer 2

Odysseus encourages Polyphemus to drink a great deal of strong wine, causing him to fall asleep. While the Cyclops is sleeping, Odysseus and his men use a mast spar in the cave to fashion a giant spear. They heat the sharpened end in the fire, and plunge it into Polyphemus' eye, blinding him. Since the Cyclops cannot see, he squats in front of the cave opening in the morning while he lets his sheep out to graze, running his hands over the back of each sheep to be sure the men aren't riding atop them. But Odysseus and his men instead are clinging to the undersides of the sheep, and so they are able to escape the cave undetected.

Answer 3

Polyphemus is suspicious at hearing his biggest ram leave the cave last, since the ram is typically the first to leave the cave. (Odysseus is hiding under the largest ram.)