The Odyssey: About the characters

The Odyssey: About the characters English 9 Ms. Mulrooney

oDYSSEUS • King of Ithaca

penelope • Odysseus’ wife

telemachus • Son of Odysseus and Penelope

athena • Goddess of wisdom, war, and inspiration • Odysseus’ protector

Antinous • Strongest of the suitors wishing to marry Penelope

Eurymachus • Another of Penelope’s suitors

calypso • Nymph who loves Odysseus

leodes • A suitor

nausicaa • Phaeacian princess who rescues Odysseus

Alcinous • King of the Phaeacians • Nausicaa’s father

polyphemus • The cyclops, son of Poseidon • A one-eyed monster

circe • A witch and a half-goddess

eurylochus • One of Odysseus’ crewman

tiresias • Legendary blind seer whose ghost appears to Odysseus

eumaeus • Servant loyal to Odysseus and Telemachus

eurycleia • Elderly house servant • Once Odysseus and Telemachus’ nurse

arete • Alcinous’ wife

apollo • Greek mythology, god of poetry, music, and prophecy

cronus • Titan and ruler of the universe until he was overthrown by his son, Zeus

helios • In early Greek mythology, the sun god

poseidon • Greek god of the sea • Identified with the Roman god Neptune

zeus • Ruler of gods and goddesses on Mount Olympus

Laertes • Odysseus’ father

scylla • Dangerous rock in the Straits of Messina • Known as a female monster with six heads who devours passing sailors

sirens • Sea nymphs who lured sailors to destruction with their songs

The Odyssey: About the characters