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;