Characters from the Odyssey

Odysseus

The central figure in the epic, he employs guile as well as courage to return to Ithaca, defeat the suitors, and resume his proper place as king.

Penelope

Wife of Odysseus and mother of their son, Telemachus, she is shrewd and faithful in fending off the suitors.

Telemachus

Son of Odysseus and Penelope, the prince struggles to gain his own maturity while attempting to deal with the problems of the palace.

Laertes

Odysseus' father, the old king lives humbly and in solitude on a small farm where he mourns the absence of his son; once reunited with Odysseus, he is restored to dignity.

Anticleia

Odysseus' mother, she dies grieving her son's long absence and sees him only during his visit to the Land of the Dead.

Eurycleia

Faithful old nurse to Odysseus (as well as Telemachus), she identifies her master when she recognizes an old scar on his leg.

Eumaeus and Philoetius

Odysseus' loyal swineherd and cowherd, they assist him in his return to Ithaca and stand with the king and prince against the suitors.

Argos

Trained by Odysseus some twenty years before, the discarded old dog, dying on a dung heap, recognizes his master as Odysseus and Eumaeus approach the palace.

Antinous and Eurymachus

The two leading suitors, they differ in that Antinous is more physically aggressive while Eurymachus is a smooth talker.

Eupithes

Father of Antinous, he leads the suitors' families and friends who seek revenge for the slaughter and is killed by Laertes.

Eurylochus

Convinced Odysseus's men to eat the Cattle