Important Characters in The Odyssey

Odysseus Hero of The Odyssey

Wife: Penelope Son: Telemachus

Great soldier of the war Came up with the wooden-horse trick

that lead to Troy’s collapse.Odysseus fought among the other

Greek heroes at Troy and struggles to return to his kingdom in Ithaca.

Penelope Wife of Odysseus and mother of

Telemachus. Penelope spends her days in the

palace longing for her husband.

Calypso (ka-lip-so)A sea goddess who lives on the island

of Ogygia.Holds Odysseus prisoner for 7 years.

Alcinous (al-sin-o-es) The king of the Phaeacians. Provides Odysseus a safe passage back to Ithaca.

Laertes (lay-er-teez) Odysseus’ father

Circe (sur-se)A witch-goddess who lives on the

island of Aeaea. Transforms Odysseus’ crew into

swine.

Zeus

The chief of the Greek gods and goddess.

Father of Athena and Apollo.

Cicones

Allies of the Trojans, who live at Ismarus.

Lotus Eaters

Inhabitants of a land Odysseus visits.

Cyclopes A race of one-eyed giants; an individual member of the race is a Cyclops.

Polyphemus

Apollo

The god of music, poetry, prophecy, and medicine.

Poseidon The god of the sea, earthquakes, and

horses.Father of Cyclops who battles

Odysseus.

Book 9 Review What is Odysseus’ ultimate destination? He wants to get home to his wife and son

in Ithaca. What does Odysseus think of the way

Cyclopes lives? He thinks that the Cyclopes are wild and

savage.How does Odysseus injure Polyphemus? He puts out his eye with a heated spike.

Vocabulary Check Identify the synonym for each word.

1. Ponderous DelicateFun Heavy

Heavy 2. Adversary

PartnerEnemy Ally

Enemy

3. Avenge Revenge Forgive Sympathize

Revenge 4. Disdain

Admire Hatred Praise

Hatred

Characters

Aeolus The guardian of the winds.

Laestrygones (les-trig-o-neez)

Cannibal inhabitants of a distant land.

Eurylochus (you-ril-o-kes)

A trusted officer of Odysseus.

Hermes

Messenger of the gods.

Persephone (per-sef-uh-nee)

The wife of the ruler of the underworld.

Tiresias(tahy-ree-see-uhs)

A blind prophet whose spirit of Odysseus visits in the underworld.

Book 10 Review What happens to Eurylochus’ men after they

drink Circe’s wine? They turn into pigs and forget all thoughts of

home. How is Odysseus able to withstand Circe’s

magic?He uses the magical plant to keep himself free

from Circe’s spell.After a year of Circe’s hospitality who convinces

Odysseus that it is time to depart?His shipmates

Vocabulary Check Whom would you expect to act with stealth-

A spy, a surgeon, or a firefighter? A spy If you’re feeling disconsolate, are you

happy, sad, or angry? Sad Would a beguiling person disgust other

people, attract other people, or bore other people?

Attract other people

More Vocabulary! Would you expect someone known as a

contender to compete, to surrender, or to cooperate?

To competeDoes someone ready to succumb in a

struggle say “Charge,” “Take that,” or “I give up”?

“I give up”

Characters

Sirens Creatures, part woman and part

bird, whose songs lure sailors to their death.

Scylla A six-headed sea monster who

devours sailors.

Charybdis (ke-rib-dis) A dangerous whirlpool personified

as a female monster.

Helios God of SunRaises his cattle on the Land of the

Golden Cattle.

Book 12 Review At the beginning of the episode, where

have Odysseus and his men been? The underworld and to Circe’s islandHow does Odysseus manage to hear the

Sirens safely? He has himself tied to the mast. How do Odysseus’ men anger the sun

god? They kill and eat his cattle.

Vocabulary Check Match the phrase in the 1st column to its similar

meaning in the 2nd column. Lurk on the left E Traveling in one’s

dreamCDesigned to dwindleBA terrifying blazeAMental anguish D

A. A dire fireB. made to fadeC. questing

while restingD. brain painE. hide on one

side

Antinous and EurymachusSuitors of Penelope.

Telemachus Odysseus’ son.

Philoetius(cowherd) and Eumaeus (swineherd)

Trusted servants in Odysseus’ household.

Eurycleia (yur-i-klaya)An old female servant, still loyal to

Odysseus.

Journal (8-10 sentences) NTS Rule!

Some people say that Odysseus’ revenge was justified by how long he and his family have suffered. Others believe his response was too severe and he did not show any mercy. Was Odysseus justified in his revenge?