The Odyssey

This set of flashcards covers vocabulary terms and key concepts from The Odyssey, focusing on characters, themes, and literary terms.

Epic Poem

A long narrative poem about the adventures of a hero who represents the values of their culture.

Homeric Hero

A larger-than-life hero known for strength, cleverness, and skill in battle.

Xenia

The ancient Greek law of hospitality requiring kindness and respect toward guests.

Archetype

A universal character type or pattern that appears across many cultures and stories.

Rhapsodes

Performers who memorized and orally recited epic poems through song or chant.

Epithet

A repeated descriptive phrase used to characterize a person (e.g., 'Grey-eyed Athena').

Power of the Gods

Greek belief that gods directly influenced human lives and acted with human emotions.

Loyalty vs. Betrayal

Theme shown through Penelope’s faithfulness versus the crew’s disobedience and the suitors’ disrespect.

Intelligence vs. Strength

Odysseus survives more through cleverness (metis) than brute force.

Consequence of Pride (Hubris)

Odysseus’s need for recognition causes long-term suffering, such as revealing his name to Polyphemus.

Double Standards

Odysseus is excused for infidelity, while Penelope is expected to remain faithful.

Zeus

King of the gods who settles disputes and allows Odysseus to return home.

Athena

Goddess of wisdom and war; Odysseus’s protector and mentor.

Poseidon

God of the sea who punishes Odysseus for blinding Polyphemus.

Hermes

Messenger god who orders Calypso to release Odysseus.

Helios

Sun god who demands punishment after his cattle are eaten.

Aeolus

Keeper of the winds who gives Odysseus a bag of unfavorable winds.

Odysseus

King of Ithaca; clever, strong, and resourceful hero.

Penelope

Loyal wife who delays remarriage by weaving and unweaving a shroud.

Telemachus

Odysseus’s son who matures into a capable warrior.

Laertes

Odysseus’s father who lives in grief on a farm.

Anticleia

Odysseus’s mother who dies of a broken heart.

Eurycleia

Loyal nurse who recognizes Odysseus by his scar.

Eumaeus

Faithful swineherd who shelters Odysseus in disguise.

Calypso

Nymph who imprisons Odysseus for seven years on Ogygia.

Circe

Enchantress who turns men into pigs and later helps Odysseus.

Polyphemus

Cyclops blinded by Odysseus using the 'Nobody' trick.

Tiresias

Blind prophet who warns Odysseus in the Underworld.

The Sirens

Creatures whose songs lure sailors to death.

Scylla

Six-headed monster that kills six crew members.

Charybdis

Deadly whirlpool capable of swallowing ships.

Lotus-Eaters

People whose food causes forgetfulness and loss of desire to return home.

King Alcinous

Phaeacian king who helps Odysseus return to Ithaca.

Elpenor

Crewman who dies and asks for burial in the Underworld.

Antinous

Cruel leader of the suitors; first to be killed.

Eurymachus

Manipulative suitor who tries to shift blame.

Amphinomus

The most decent suitor, but still punished.