Through a series of clever maneuvers, which involved telling Polyphemos that his name is "Nobody" and getting him drunk, Odysseus and his men drive the red-stuff, which is made from the wooden staff hardened in fire, into Polyphemos's eyes as soon as Polyphemos collapses with his intoxication. Odysseus then knows only Polyphemos is strong enough to move the strong doorstone.
I drew all my wits, and ran through tactics,.
Reasoning as a man will die for life, .
Until a trick game – and pleased me well.
The Kyklops' ram were handsome, fat, with heavy.
Fleeces, a dark violet. (Book 9, 460-464).
This part of the plot indicates that Odysseus's perseverance is not only based on physical strength, which is already approved by his dominance during the ten years-long war), it also is based on utilizing his intelligence to outwit his adversaries. Odysseus and his crew then manage to escape by riding under the bellies of the sheep. The episode of the Cyclopes is an instance where Odysseus uses his cleverness, as a tool, working in tandem with his characteristic perseverance, to get him and his men out of a risky situation.
Homer introduces the perseverance of Odysseus at the onset of the epic. He is held as a captive for seven years on Kalypso's island. Although Kalypso offers him immortality and ease in his life, Odysseus declines, and says that he is no longer interested in the nymph. He is exhausted with the lifestyle on Kalypso's island looks forward to his homecoming and his wife, Penelope. Despite Kalypso's constant comparisons of herself to Penelope as means to convince Odysseus to stay, he says, .
I long for home, long for the sight of home. .
if any god has marked me out again .
for shipwreck, my tough heart can undergo it.
What hardship have I not long since endured.
at sea, in battle! Let the trial come. (Book 5, 229-233).
Homer emphasizes Odysseus's perseverance in the repetition of the phrase "long for home".