The Odyssey 9-16 Important Characters

Odysseus

The main protagonist and hero of the story, known for his cleverness and resourcefulness.

Penelope

Odysseus's loyal wife, who waits for him to return home for twenty years while fending off suitors.

Telemachus

The son of Odysseus and Penelope, who embarks on a journey to find news of his father.

Athena

The goddess of wisdom and war, who assists Odysseus and Telemachus throughout their journeys.

Poseidon

The god of the sea, who holds a grudge against Odysseus for blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus, and makes his journey difficult.

Menelaus

The wise king of Sparta, who provides guidance to Telemachus and shares stories of Odysseus's adventures.

Eumaeus

The loyal swineherd of Odysseus, who remains steadfast in his devotion and aids Odysseus upon his return to Ithaca.

Helen

The beautiful wife of Menelaus, whose abduction by Paris sparked the Trojan War and influences Odysseus’s journey home.

Pistsratus

The close friend of Telemachus, who accompanies him on his journey to search for news of Odysseus.

Megapenthes

The son of Menelaus and Helen, who mourns for his father's absence.

Antinous

The leading suitor vying for Penelope's hand, known for his arrogance and brutality.

Eurymachus

The particularly cruel suitor, often clashing with Telemachus.

Amphinomus

One of the more honorable suitors who shows respect for Penelope.

Laertes

Odysseus's father, representing themes of loss and the impact of Odysseus's journey.

Anticlia

Odysseus's mother, who appears to him in the Underworld.

Circe

A powerful sorceress who initially traps Odysseus but later helps him navigate challenges.

Calypso

A nymph who holds Odysseus captive on her island for several years.

Charibdic

A monstrous sea creature posing a significant threat to Odysseus and his crew.

Scylla

Another formidable sea monster preying on Odysseus's crew.

Tiresias

A blind prophet in the underworld who provides critical guidance to Odysseus.

Titus

A figure associated with grief and enduring hardship.

Tantalus

A character punished in the underworld, embodying the theme of desire and unattainable goals.

Charybdis

A terrifying whirlpool that threatens to swallow Odysseus and his crew.

Polythemus

A cyclops and son of Poseidon, representing the brutality of isolation.

Aeolus

The god of the winds who assists Odysseus by providing a bag of winds.