The Messed Up Origins™ of Polyphemos the Cyclops | Greek Mythology Explained

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▼ Timestamps ▼
» 0:00 - Intro
» 1:27 - The Land of the Cyclopes
» 8:42 - Brought to you by Helix!
» 10:32 - The Simp
» 14:06 - The Point of Polyphemus
» 18:04 - Support the show!
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▼ Credits ▼
» Researched by: Jon Solo & Jack Daly - / thefolklord
» Written, Filmed, & Edited by: Jon Solo
▼ Resources ▼
» Polyphemos Mythology: www.theoi.com/Gigante/Gigante...
» Baucis and Philemon: www.theoi.com/Text/OvidMetamo...
» my favorites: messeduporigins.com/books
▼ Art Sources ▼
» The thumbnail art depicting Polyphemus was created for the show by Markus Stadlober! Give him a follow for more incredible art of your favorite myths and folklore!
www.artstation.com/elderscroller
/ markus.stadlober.art
» If I used your art in any portion of this video please send a message to my business email with proof that you're the original artist so I can give you credit!
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» Spooky Background Music provided by CO.AG Music: / @co.agmusic
» REVEALING MY INTRO SONG! goo.gl/Z9eHu1
» Background Music: Killing Time Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
» Quotes 3 by Anders Bothén: goo.gl/Lz9ADE
#Polyphemos #GreekMythology #messeduporigins

[@JonSolo]

Another big thanks to Helix for sponsoring this episode! My spine also says thank you! (☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞ Visit helixsleep.com/jonsolo to get up to $200 off your Helix mattress, plus two free pillows! #helixsleep

[@Jellygirl313]

Video Idea Rccomendation: Jon, might I recommend doing an episode for "Famous Folklore" on The Koopalings from the Mario franchise? I mean if you want an origin story that is certainly messed up) then I think you're in for a treat. Especially you have to compare their video game to their animated counterparts. Yes, they have "cartoon counterparts" in both "The Adventures of Super Mario Bros 3 and "Super Mario World." Heck, there's even the messed-up fact they're based on a creature from Japanese Mythology, called the Kappa.

[@finnie4394]

I ain't got money for no matress

[@Jellygirl313]

@@finnie4394 😂

[@finnie4394]

@@Jellygirl313 I'm just telling the truth lol

[@Jellygirl313]

@@finnie4394 I wan's t thinking you were lying or anything.

[@taekwongurl]

Polyphemus loving himself was surprisingly adorable.

[@christianjohnson5379]

Don't forget Galatea was also the name of the woman Pygmalion sculpted out of ivory who Aphrodite transformed into a real woman in answer to Pygmalion's prayer.

[@benthomason3307]

it's all coming together...

[@deathserpent9747]

So thats where Galatea from Claymore got her name

[@obiwan-in-a-pudding2909]

So which came first? Was Pygmalion creating a statue of the nymph that Polyphemus fell in love with, or was the nymph that Polyphemus met formerly a statue, or are they just two women with the same name?

[@debymello4756]

​@@obiwan-in-a-pudding2909 most likely differs between version, also likely the last. It's less uncommon for mythological characters to share names (so much that, depending of where you look, you can read that there were two Eros: the primordial god and Aphrodite's son). It's inevitable in a pantheon of ~30k

[@michaelpacinus242]

He didn’t forget. He didn’t mention it.

[@freddymeisner]

Would be really cool for you to go through the Iliad and Odyssey in a video series, could put a messed up origins twist on it too I’d love to have it broken down into bite sized pieces the way you do

[@noaag]

It's also worth everything to me to have his grounded, empathetic presence in these stories. Like when Jon said "this is far from the most toxic relationship in mythology", BOY did I feel that. I failed my online Greek Myth course because I could not stand all the women-as-property. Students are just graded on literary analysis (i.e. how much sparknotes did you read?) and that showed in our "discussions". It felt like nobody in the class cared about the atrocities and the reality of ancient Greek culture. I hated it. And I loveee this channel for making it something that interests me and inspires me again.

[@pamelamays4186]

In my highschool mythology class I read The Odyssey. The story of the Cyclops was my favorite part. I thought that the guys hiding under the sheep was very clever.

[@bezalel5081]

Men were smaller back in those days…. Or sheep were bigger🤔

[@justineck5664]

"You're too stupid to remember nobody!" My favorite line from the sea of monsters.

[@thecoolbroscoolman4672]

Much less anybody

[@thegingergyrl455]

I love mythology..I’m so glad this channel exists since I’ve read the stories for years, but now I’m having issues reading so I thoroughly enjoy your videos. Thank you, Jon.

[@emmetthowell899]

It feels like a friend rambling about their special interest and it’s kinda comforting

[@icollectstories5702]

The second lesson was to never reveal your real name while committing a crime. This mistake cost Odysseus many crews. What I got from the Odyssey was to avoid travelling with survivors. Sure, they tell great tales when they get back, but I never thought my odds of making it back were as good.

[@trixiekay22]

Lauren doing the head tilt with the pups was the cutest!! ❤

[@michellebrouellette]

Aeneas wasn't part of Odysseus's crew, he was a Trojan prince (and son of Aphrodite) who managed to escape the sack.

[@kentuckywildcatgobigblue7190]

Polyphemus: "NOBODY IS KILLING ME!!!" Other Cyclopes:"It's not always about you Polyphemus!"

[@LarvaTubaShow]

Did not know that the Cyclops had a name. In the Chalk Zone animated series, there is a version of Polyphemus, named Biclops.

[@caridadchang7895]

The old couple transformed into interwined trees actually sound like a lovely couple, which is pretty rare in Greek mythology

[@greatsage4ever]

The story about the elderly couple is one of my favorite Greek myths. So many mortals who win the favor of the Olympians make selfish, short-sighted wishes. This couple gave their wish considerable thought, and in the end, they make a very humble and wholesome request that shows how much they care for and love each other. Neither of them wished to leave the other with the burden of burying their dead body and living on alone in the world they spent so many years together. It is a story not only about Greek hospitality being honored, but also an example of a married couple very much in love and growing old together.

[@SilknSass76]

Polyphemus’ role in Handel’s Acis and Galatea has some great songs in it!

[@joejaboy]

If I correctly remember the Aeneid, the (Roman) story of Aeneas, he was not a part of Odysseus's crew, because Aeneas was of Trojan descent. I feel like there's some mythological shenanigans or misunderstandings or something wrong. You may need to do a video on the Aeneid (Roman) vs. the Odyssey (Greek) because Aeneas visits some of the same places that Odysseus does.

[@keeganrichards3163]

you are correct.aeneas was prince of dardanos and son of venus.he did visit the island of the cyclopes and took on acamenedes on his ship knowing he was greek.acamenedes also warned them of cylcopes and to not linger or even make port on the island.jon got a few details of the story wrong but this one i cannot forgive

[@joellynncrowthers4623]

I was wondering if I was the only one who caught that Honestly I think if Aeneas had seen Odysseus again, he probably would have killed him for burning down Troy

[@keeganrichards3163]

@@joellynncrowthers4623 yes,seeing as it was only venus's intervention that spared helen from his wrath,i think he would have lept on odysseus with the quickness had he seen him

[@aSUGAaddiction]

I enjoy your content so much. I loved Greek mythology and mythology in general even when I was young. Thanks for the great content

[@grapeshot]

People at one time thought the skeletons of mastodons were the skeletons of cyclops.

[@freddymeisner]

That’s so cool

[@ladiesman181002]

That’s right! I learned that from the elephant Zoobook!!!!

[@garouthedemon7401]

Honest mistake if you didn't know what an elephant skeleton look like your brain would go wild with suggesting especially in ancient times

[@twitch6260]

Love your channel, as a mythology buff I know a lot of the stories you tell about these characters, but at the same time you tell me versions I haven't heard yet, and that's awesome. Keep up the good work Solo!

[@michaelpacinus242]

Yooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo 😮😊😅

[@That_Stinger_GT5]

I love this channel, you get the humor, education and Gunther!

[@EBThisThat]

How timely of you to be covering this ! I created a tiny cryptid called an Autch (pronounced ‘ouch’), which is a tiny black bipedal triangle that so happens to be a cyclops. They’re vampiric but aren’t dangerous. They’re a bit dim and annoying, but not to be feared.

[@lisamartinbradley1039]

I like it better when you say "Remember, Jon shot first"

[@connorthompson8376]

When you mentioned the intertwining trees, I remembered an episode from ‘My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic’ called ‘The Perfect Pear,’ which covers the backstory of the parents of one of the main characters. There’s a wedding scene where they plant each other’s trees (feuding fruit farm families) on each other’s land, and the characters find it at the end, and see that it has grown into a giant intertwined monument to their love. Just a coincidence? Then show actually does take inspiration from mythology several times, that doesn’t bother to be especially accurate. I’d love to see a video covering that series.

[@spooniesarah]

I find the artworks with cyclopes' eyes in the middle of the forehead, with eyebrow ridges and apparently closed normal eyes underneath, to be very... creepy

[@AdamTehranchiYT]

One bit of context that is often missing is that many parts of the odessy are a story within a story. So telling a story about hospitality being breached might have proven useful.

[@frankd4581]

Please make a video for the messed up origins of the fairytale titled Pince Lindworm please

[@Franticgamer-cx7xg]

Love you jon keep up the studying please you make my education so much easier we all love the videos best to you man

[@barbarahouk1983]

As always glad you are here. I will continue to follow your entertaining content .

[@elizabethbarringer2791]

Absolutely entertaining thank you for the video dude keep up your good work.

[@harrietlyall1991]

Excellent presentation, most enjoyable and interesting, thank you!

[@SoranotRoxas]

10:32 The mad lad actually named this section *The Simp* 🤣

[@DIGardening]

That was a great episode! I am a huge history buff and this was absolutely fantastic.

[@devencherry8976]

Love the videos, keep it up man..

[@tayloredwards4968]

Please do the tale of princess kaguya next

[@michaelilori620]

Interesting I was expecting you to talk his hatred of Zeus as form of his inhospitality. Also since you are comparing myths, have you never noticed giants are usually shepherds and herdsman? Compare him with Geryon the one in Heracles labors not the inferno.

[@noaag]

I wonder, maybe ancient shepherds wished they were giants, so that they could herd the flock as easily as a docile pack of mice or something. It brings to mind the biblical analogy of a powerful god capable of defending his "flock".

[@roebow1952]

One of your best videos, kudos

[@stephensmith4750]

Love your stuff keep it up

[@billriddle9215]

Awesome vid...one of the best.

[@noaag]

Nice one Jon! Very fun.

[@finnie4394]

Hey Jon may I ask what your personal advice is on making an interesting mythology that would interest people like you?

[@Jenjen-qc5eq]

The Greeks come up with some wicked stories, I became hooked on Greek mytholigy when I was five when my teacher would read Greek mythologies. Uk

[@dcbandit]

I find it interesting how some interpretations of a cyclops either keeps the eyes and adds a third, or removes the two but keeps the brows. I think the brows version actually looks fairly interesting.

[@-ladyofstars-]

Omg Jon solo I had spinal surgery too last year it was for scoliosis. what a coincidence haha 😹 Btw love your videos especially the Greek and Norse mythology ones 😁

[@edwarddesive4605]

Dude i love your videos

[@TroubleReading]

I have always wondered. What kind of sheep are big enough to carry a full grown man?! The story doesn’t seem to mention anything odd about the sheep other than they belong to a cyclops. Greek mythology usually mentions when something is weird about the livestock. Man eating horses, perfect white bull, unstoppable boar, murderous golden sheep, etc So what kind of sheep can carry a grown man?

[@homebrewedthoughts2033]

Lots of big species of sheep

[@dakotapiercy174]

I can't wait to watch this tomorrow

[@AurmazlZudeh]

Big props to Arthur and DW

[@dariusjackson1929]

I would love to see Jon Solo do a video about the messed up origins of Assassins and Templars. 😂 This guy can literally narrate anything.

[@bishoukun]

I feel ya re spine being hecked, my dude. I'll have to check this out.

[@novatryxward9372]

When annabeth pretends to be nobody to distract polyphemus

[@denisemcdougal6445]

Good video!

[@lilahjowhitfield]

Came here to say the thumbnail is incredible and is why I clicked on the video absolutely amazing

[@macenfilth5199]

Not to be biased, because, O Brother Where Art Thou is my favorite movie of all time. But the sharpened wood is referenced in the movie. Only it doesn't kill the Cyclops as he catches from the sky. It's when our heroes of this southern tale drop a burning cross on him instead. That's a burtal way to go in my opinion.

[@Ash-ws9pr]

Yay! I got the 1st like! Lol love ur show jon, always look forward to it.

[@rachelthevoice]

almost a week later, but still watching.😃your readings of these vast interpretations of these historically influenced stories made me get into mythology more due to how easy it is to soak in these incredible tales! 😁 EDIT: when you were talking about the cyclops in the beginning and talking about the "snackage" I was eating a sandwich with hot sauce so...not the BEST timing on my part 🤣

[@michaelpacinus242]

What speed did you have playback set to?

[@rachelthevoice]

@@michaelpacinus242 regular

[@michaelpacinus242]

@@rachelthevoice and it took a week to watch? Wow!

[@gonfin350]

You know I think of all the KZbinrs, Jon is the only one that has kind of convinced me to try and buy the sponsors product

[@DIGardening]

I loved that episode of Arthur!

[@cattaleacres]

Okay, I usually bypass sponsorship bits, but you three are too cute in this one. Nicely done!

[@humongousfungusamongus3871]

Avid fan of Mythology & Solo!

[@Scalesthelizardwizard]

Love the video can you please do Egyptian Mythology also I'd try to survive Polyphemos by introducing him to manga

[@JohnSmith-yw3jr]

Omg those pups are totes adorbs! 😍

[@marcusfridh8489]

You can also say that the episode with the Trolls in the hobbit is a version of the polyphemos narriative.

[@pamelamays4186]

Suggestion, when you can get around to it: The origins/ story behind Grandma Willow from Disney's Pocohantas.

[@LetsNerdOut]

The irony of this video being promoted by a bed company and me being wide awake watching this at 5am knowing I have work in 12 hours is not lost on me

[@crazyasalways9272]

I do love how Odysseus is supposed to be very smart yet was stupid enough to let someone who would definitely come after them or have someone do it for him his true name after tricking him

[@philokrnotch387]

Thank you Mamma Solo.

[@ambermarie4776]

Could you do the origins of oedipus if you haven’t already?

[@DneilB007]

Haven’t seen the video yet. I just had to comment on the thumbnail. Best yet!

[@dariusvanderbeck5885]

Great Video Jon thanks for calling out my English teacher

[@charlesnewman6468]

Very interesting very cool. I never knew that there was a myth about him.

[@DarkINsides06]

Jon Solo, have you done a video explaining nymphs, they show up nearly all Greek myth and it's never really explained what they are. Your videos are fun, mellow, and insightful ☮️🖖🏽

[@brandendrew2019]

I find videos like this interesting 🤔 to watch.

[@GDRking_yt]

you probably already know it, but actually it is thought that the large hole in the center of the Deinotheriumskulls (wich is an ancestor of elephants and has a hole that suggests a pronounced trunk) to the ancient Greeks, could well be the foundation for their tales of the fearsome one-eyed Cyclops.

[@elibreezy]

That shirt is cool af Jon

[@Catherine-uh9yu]

Two quick things: Most of the Odyssey is a lesson on how to be a good host and guest according to Greek culture Also, the story of the old couple also has ties to the story of Noah's Ark because in some versions they're told to toss rocks behind them as they flee the flood. The rocks turn into men and women (based on who did the tossing), and thus they repopulated the place.

[@ooohlalaandrea]

He's super committed to the name, weird little Yoda on his lap 😳 😂

[@bermanecombranne5256]

How do you feel about the Disney plus series for the Percy Jackson trailer ? @Jon Solo I’d appreciate you’re feed back on the topic.

[@Jsscahd]

Glad I didn't skip the ad, your lady and you are the cutest 😍 wife and dogs for views is solid plan👌

[@goatplaysguitar]

Can you do the story of Pygmalion and Galatea?

[@KitsuyuutsuR]

I’m a huge fan of Greek mythology, so I really enjoy these videos 😊 What’s even better is when they make these stories into movies that I watch with my husband and I’ll start rattling shit off before it happens and he’s just dumbfounded. 😂 He knows I love Greek mythology and have since I was a very young girl, but I guess he didn’t know how much. They look on his face is priceless when I rattle shit off 😂

[@Kuro_Tsuki]

🤣🤣🤣 same lol

[@CloverDoesVA]

Love the intro

[@kjhee12500]

In O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Big Dan(the cyclops) almost has his eye impaled by a flagpole, but catches it in the nick of time. You did not mention it, so I have for you.

[@Jamilajahankhushbu]

9:04 I was so confused why would they advertise with a clumped up carpet and it took me way too long to realise that was a dog 😭 😭

[@tennesseecampbellcounty8559]

Could we have a Odysseus messed up origins next

[@happydeath117]

Why am I not being notified when you upload 😡

[@johnd7083]

I have a problem with the Polyphemos didn't treat his guests well, so he was punished. Odysseus and his crew are not guests, they are thieves. They broke in and started to steal food. I don't see how Polyphemos owes them guest rights. They didn't present themselves as guests before entering.

[@Dahaka-rd6tw]

Well, in a way of speaking, they were punished in the end.

[@geenhern]

Must nitpick an ancient story lmao

[@ezethic7722]

23 SECONDS AGO? I WATCH YOU UPLOAD LIKE A HAWK! PUT SOME ADS LEMME WATCH THEM TOO

[@camionbrowne8914]

With my luck I'd probably be in ocamenedies' place. I always seem to be in some really rough situations was still somehow make it out okay

[@aminezaim3387]

dope!

[@SladeOnFire]

Poseidon sure knows how to pick em

[@Bluepoppy86]

Mind is blown

[@theresacherco3503]

He was also in the book series sisters of Salem

[@melianatara]

15:02 of course he's short-sighted he's a cyclops

[@WarPhoenix]

I love the story of Baucis and Philemon! Also, I'd be consumed

[@icollectstories5702]

The name "Polyphemus" is amazingly fancy for a shepherd; since it supposedly means something like "really famous," I can only assume that this was a winking reference to someone really famous. So the Homeric version was, at some time, slanderous. Does no one question the scene of a man reaching between his legs to check his woolly sheep?

[@idontknowhowtochangemyusername]

No way, that was Polyphemos in “O Brother Where Art Thou”? That’s crazy 😂

[@netrathelibra]

That shirt fire 🔥

[@themorningstar347]

Do an episode on the oldest story of all time

[@anniesossa]

Hey Jon pls do a messed up origins of keeping up with the Kardashian’s 🥺👉👈

[@gibsonm2900]

Please do Odysseus