Odysseus reveals his identity to the Phaeacians and tells them his story. It begins with the men plundering Ismarus, and the Cicones bringing in backup soldiers. Odysseus' men leave, and end up in the land of the lotus-eaters. Odysseus brought the men back who were sent to scout out the people there, and they were on their way. Odysseus and his men ended up on an island nearby the land of the Cyclops. A curious Odysseus bring a boat over, and he goes up to Polyphemus' cave with twelve other men. Odysseus tells of their capture in the cave, where it is sealed with a large boulder. Odysseus and four of his men sharpen a portion of the giant's club, and they gouge out Polyphemus' eye while he sleeps after seeing some of their companions be eaten. When Polyphemus' neighbors answer his cry for help, they leave after being told that "Nobody" is trying to kill Polyphemus, since Odysseus had told Polyphemus that his name was Nobody. They then escape by hiding underneath the bellies of some of the rams, as Polyphemus only counts them by touching the top. After escaping, Odysseus taunts Polyphemus, until Polyphemus throws rocks at a ship. Eventually, Polyphemus calls on Poseidon, telling Poseidon to either make sure Odysseus never sees home, or he goes home a changed man, with no shipmates, in a stranger's ship, many years late.
Odysseus' tale of what he went through exhibits his cunning and fearlessness. However, it also explains why he is no longer quite the same. The audience/ reader finally understands why Poseidon wishes to get revenge on Odysseus. The book also exhibits how Odysseus made some bad choices when it came to being humble about beating Polyphemus.
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