Principal Characters in The Odyssey

Gods and Immortals

Humans

Odysseus

Penelope

Telemachus

Eumaeus

Antinous

Eurymachus

Eurycleia

Laertes

Irus

Melanthius

Melantho

Nestor

Melenaus

Tiresias

Philoetlus

Aphrodite

Artemis

Athena

Boreas

Calypso

Demeter

Eures

Hermes

Ino

Cronos

Muse

Notus

Phoebus

Polyphemus

Poseidon

Proteus

Zephyr

Zeus

This epic is the story of his journey home from the Trojan war. He is brave, loyal and very clever. He is king of Ithaca

She is the faithful, loyal wife of Odysseus. She is Homer's example of the perfect Greek wife and mother in her patient loyalty of 20 years

The evil leader of the suitors. He is the 1st one Odysseus kills.

A loyal servant of Odysseus, who helps him fight the suitors with Philoetius

Son of Odysseus and Penelope. He was an infant when Odysseus left for the Trojan War. The epic is also a story about his journey to manhood

An old woman servant , a devoted nurse to both Odysseus and Telemachus in their youth

A suitor who is an evil coward. He tries to blame Antiniousfor all of the suitors actions. He is killed 2nd.

Father of Odysseus, he lives on a farm some distance away.

The favorite beggar of the suitors. He is cruel to the disguised Odysseus.

A servant girl who has been disloyal to Odysseus by becoming the mistress of the evil Eurymachus.

A servant of Odysseus who has betrayed him by assisting the suitors.

King of Sparta, and a comrade to Odysseus during the Trojan War. Helen was his wife.

King of Pylos, he fought at troy with Odysseus and known for his wise counsel.

A loyal servant to Odysseus, he and Eumaeus help Odysseus to fight the suitors.

Odysseus goes to Hades to consult with this famous, deceased Greek prophet.

the king of gods and min; known for hurling thunderbolts; his sacred bird was the eagle


a minor sea god; has power of assuming different shapes to escape being questioned; Menalaus wrestled with him successfully and learned that Odysseus was alive on the island of Ogygia


one of the race of Cyclops, giants with one eye in the middle of their foreheads; the giant son of Poseidon


the south wind


father of Zeus; overthrown by Zeus; devoured his children; was fed a stone instead of Zeus so Zeus survived


messenger of the gods; known as god of speed; better known under the name of mercury


goddess of agriculture


the north wind


goddess of moon and of the hunt; the twin sister of Apollo


goddess of beauty and love; Helens patron


the east wind


a minor sea goddess who aided Odysseus when shipwrecked; goddess of the lovely ankles


there were nine muses -- goddesses of song; presided over different kinds of poetry and the art and sciences; customary for ancient poets to call upon special muses for inspiration at the beginning of a work


Apollo: god of the sun, prophecy, and medicine; where there is light nothing is hidden, so Apollo was all knowing


the brother of Zeus; god of the sea and and all of the waters on earth; hated Odysseus; hindered Odysseus whenever possible


the king of gods and min; known for hurling thunderbolts; his sacred bird was the eagle


a nymph who lived on the island of Ogygia; kept Odysseus there for 7 years


also known as Pallas Athena; sympathetic to Odysseus and his family; helped Telemachus by disguising herself and giving advice; goddess of wisdom;