Character review Books 1-4

Agamemnon

King of Mycenae and Greek commander in the Trojan War. Murdered by Aegisthus and Clytemnestra after returning home. His story serves as a warning and comparison to Odysseus' homecoming.

Achaeans

name for the Greeks

Aegisthus

Clytemnestra's lover who helped murder Agamemnon. Later killed by Orestes as revenge.

Antinous

one of the lead suitors

Aphrodite

Greek goddess of love and beauty, associated with the events surrounding the Trojan War.

Athena

Goddess of wisdom and warfare. Protects Odysseus and guides Telemachus, sometimes disguised as Mentor or Mentes.

Atreus

Father of Agamemnon and Menelaus, who are often referred to as the sons of Atreus.

Eidothea

Daughter of Proteus. Helps Menelaus capture her father to obtain information about his journey home.

Eurycleia

Loyal elderly nurse of Odysseus and Telemachus. Helps Telemachus secretly prepare for his journey.

Eurymachus

one of the lead suitors

Halitherses

elder of Ithaca, interprets eagles from zeus

Helen

Wife of Menelaus, whose departure with Paris helped cause the Trojan War. Welcomes Telemachus in Sparta.

Helios

God of the sun

Hermes

Messenger of the gods. Warned Aegisthus not to pursue Clytemnestra or kill Agamemnon.

Icarius

Penelope's father

Ithaca

Odysseus' island kingdom and home, where Penelope and Telemachus await his return.

Laertes

Odysseus' elderly father and Telemachus' grandfather.

Menelaus

King of Sparta, husband of Helen, and brother of Agamemnon. Shares information about Odysseus with Telemachus.

Mentor

Trusted friend of Odysseus. Athena disguises herself as Mentor to guide and encourage Telemachus.

Nestor

Elderly king of Pylos who fought in the Trojan War. Gives Telemachus information about the Greek heroes' returns.

Odysseus

King of Ithaca, husband of Penelope, and father of Telemachus. The hero struggling to return home after the Trojan War.

Orestes

Son of Agamemnon who avenges his father's murder by killing Aegisthus. A role model for Telemachus.

Penelope

Wife of Odysseus and mother of Telemachus.

Pisistratus

Son of Nestor who accompanies Telemachus from Pylos to Sparta.

Polyphemus

One-eyed Cyclops and son of Poseidon who was blinded by Odysseus, causing Poseidon's anger.

Poseidon

God of the sea who is angry with Odysseus for blinding his son Polyphemus and prevents his easy return home.

Proteus

Shape-shifting sea god who reveals information to Menelaus about returning home and Odysseus' whereabouts.

Pylos

Kingdom ruled by Nestor. First stop on Telemachus' journey to find news about his father.

Sparta

Kingdom ruled by Menelaus and Helen. Telemachus visits to learn about Odysseus.

Telemachus

Son of Odysseus and Penelope. Begins his journey toward adulthood by searching for news of his father.

Calypso

Nymph who keeps Odysseus trapped on her island, Ogygia, preventing his return home.

Clytemnestra

Wife of Agamemnon who helps Aegisthus murder her husband. Her betrayal contrasts with Penelope's loyalty.

Cyclopes

Race of one-eyed giants, including Polyphemus, who was blinded by Odysseus.