Metis in 2001: A Space Odyssey and A Space OdysseyThe film 2001: A Space Odyssey by Steven Kubrick and Homer's Odyssey have underlying themes that have relationships with each other respectively. However, Greek mythology often attributes strength as the supreme virtue, and current films do so as well. The attribute of being intelligent or cunning is seen throughout 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Odyssey seen by Ulysses and David Bowman as the dominant theme in both titles. Metis, the Greek word meaning intelligent or cunning, is prevalent in the epic trials of Bowman and Odysseus with their ability to reason to achieve desired outcomes. Odysseus went through his epic using his mind to deceive his enemies to get by. trials and tribulations. A key trial was how Odysseus deceived the Cyclops Polyphemus, son of Poseidon. Polyphemus was considered god-like according to the text, so defeating this monster was no easy task for Odysseus and proving how cunning he was. Odysseus reacts emotionally to the Cyclops initially eating two of his companions, but realizes that if he takes revenge he would lose his only means of exiting the cave which is Polyphemus' strength to remove the door stone. Odysseus realizes that to gain freedom he must methodically take down the Cyclops by getting him drunk, branding his eye with a hot iron, and then running away under the disguise of Polyphemus' sheep. Getting the Cyclops drunk was a means for Odysseus to build a relationship with the monster and this trust can be seen by Polyphemus falling asleep next to his prisoners. During this meeting Odysseus tells Polyphemus that his name is Nobody, essentially removing his name from himself. Afterwards, Ulysses and his men brand Polyphus...... in the center of the card......neys. David Bowman and Odysseus were simply men who were at an immediate disadvantage because they were faced with the "Gods". However, these individuals realized that their strength depended on their mind and these superbeings often underestimated the heroes because their arrogance had blinded them, but Polythemus had allowed himself to be blinded physically as well. Both individuals were cunning, but may have become more intelligent due to their desire to survive. Homer created an individual who was not a God, but he created Odysseus who could be seen as a master of his own mind. Stanley Kubrick created David Bowman's unlikely hero who was able to outwit HAL with his own intelligence and using his own human reason which HAL lacked. These heroes were subjected to seemingly impossible trials, but they never gave up and used their minds to devise plans to overcome seemingly impossible trials