What Does it Mean to be Civilized?

The definition of being civilized can be debated but it truly is to be part of a functioning civilization. When faced with what it means to be civilized many people will argue the little things like table manners, following the law, etc but it truly is completely different. I will be relating the idea of what being civilized is to Homer’s The Odyssey. Now knowing the definition I am using for civilized is to be part of a civilization and civilization is “an advanced stage of human society, where people live with a reasonable degree of organization and comfort and can think about things like art and education. (vocabulary.com).” This essay will follow Odysseus’ adventures shining a light on the many uncivilized beings that live in the story we all call The Odyssey.

The obvious place to start an essay about civilization is with uncivil beings. That said the Cyclopes is where this essay will start. Just as a start in the book itself when they reach the country of the Cyclopes it says in full “We sailed away from there with heavy hearts and reached the country of the Cyclopes, a crude and lawless people. They don’t grow any plants by hand or plough the earth, but put their trust in the immortal gods, and though they never sow or work the land, every kind of crop springs up for themーwheat and barley and rich grape-bearing vines, and Zeus provides the rain to make them grow. They live without a council or assembly or any rule of law, in hollow cave among the mountain tops. Each one of them makes laws for his own wives and children, and they shun all dealings with each other(The Odyssey, pg168).” This is the first information we get about the Cyclopes. Additionally based on this and the definition of what being civilized is just the first necessary criteria is failed that criteria being living with a reasonable degree of organization. This said the next creature that will be talked about is Charybdis.

The first definition of Charybdis scene in the book is “Just below that tree divine Charybdis sucks black water down. She spews it out three times a day, and then three times a day she gulps it down—a terrifying sight. May you never meet her when she swallows! Nothing can save you from destruction then, not even Poseidon, Shaker of the Earth. (The Odyssey, pg238)” Just from the get-go, Charybdis doesn't live in a civilization so she isn’t civilized. But in literature, it is easy to state that imaginary creatures aren’t civilized but when you look at humans that definition is kind of shady because that means everyone is civilized. So in the next paragraph, the focus will be to bring this question to the real word and modify the definition of civilized or maybe rather the definition of a civilization.

Humans fit all the criteria of being civilized but that means all criminals of civilized society are humane pertaining to the concept humans created. Continuing from the interpretation, for humans the original concept was “an advanced stage of human society, where people live with a reasonable degree of organization and comfort and can think about things like art and education (vocabulary.com).” In addition to that, what is actually implemented isn't always consistent morality wise. For example Odysseus pillaged an island called Cicones, which would be considered inhumane by many of today's standards. But in ancient Greek times, what Odysseus did would be considered honorable. It also means Odysseus is a civilized man for that time period.  Meaning crime or even good vs. bad doesn't define civilization, a structured society does despite its' faults for that time period. 
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In final analysis being part of a civilization is the main factor of being civilized. Furthermore for humans being civilized also consist of following the rules set by the civilization they live in. But all in all, being civilized is a relative term that you decide how to interpret based upon history and individual beliefs.