What motivates odysseus to tell a lie to the cyclops?

The motivation behind Odysseus to tell a lie to the Cyclops is

That he didn't want them to know their only mean of scape.

Explanation:

First of all, when Odysseus group ends up in the Cyclop's Island they had a vessel, however, they were not really sure about the difficulties they were going to find on the Island. That is why they were very cautious about their words and movements. Because the cyclops could end up killing them or doing something worse to them. That is the reason he prays to Poseidon in the last chance to be helped. Because Poseidon is its creator and he begs him for intervention.

paine is arguying that they had tried everything before coming to the conclusion that they needed to fight for their freedom.

argument: "every quiet method for peace hath been ineffectual."

claim 1: "our prayers have been rejected with disdain; and only tended to convince us, that nothing flatters vanity, or confirms obstinacy in kings more than repeated petitioning and nothing hath contributed more than that very measure to make the kings of europe absolute."

claim 2: "wherefore, since nothing but blows will do, for god’s sake, let us come to a final separation, and not leave the next generation to be cutting throats, under the violated unmeaning names of parent and child."

d

explanation: