odyssey

Athene

She was Odysseus' divine protector and guide.

Poseidon

He opposed Odysseus' return home to Ithaca and made it more difficult for him, sided with Trojans.

Hermes

He helped Odysseus escape from Calypso's island where he was imprisoned for seven years.

Homer

Who wrote The Odyssey?

Epic

An epic is a long poem narrating the deeds of heroic and legendary figures or the history of a nation.

Hero of an Epic

They represent core values and ideals of their society. They possess superhuman abilities that allow them to overcome obstacles and achieve great deeds. They are often aided by Gods which enhance their heroic stature. Can experience flaws which add depth to their character. They are symbols of human ambition, perseverance, and enduring power of the human spirit.

In Media Res

In the middle of things.

Muses

9 goddesses of art and music. Homer calls upon them asking them to inspire him and guide his storytelling. Seen as divine beings who possess knowledge and creativity. Homer invokes a prayer to them. They are the daughters of Zeus.

Odysseus' Journey

Odysseus is going back home to Ithaca. He is journeying back from going to Troy to defeat them during the Trojan war.

Odysseus' Absence

Odysseus has been gone 20 years.

Odysseus' Family

Odysseus' family consists of his wife Penelope and his son, Telemachus.

Calypso

She holds Odysseus prisoner for 7 out of ten years, Zeus tells Hermes to tell Calypso to let him go, Calypso says she can make him immortal so he does not leave. Calypso tells him she will regret going back, she compares herself to Penelope, Calypso helps him leave and he is washed up on an island after a broken raft.

The Cyclops

Cyclops father is Poseidon, Cyclops is Polyphemus, Poseidon gets mad at Odysseus for messing with Polyphemus for taking cheeses, no hospitality on this island, the men get frightened, run back to cave and get trapped in the back. Odysseus introduces himself and tries to sweet talk him into letting them out. Odysseus lies and says the ship was destroyed, but he realized that if he actually killed the cyclops, they would all die because they couldn't get out. Cyclops eats some men, eventually they get him drunk and stab him in the eye. Cyclops calls for help and says nohbdy helped him because that's what Odysseus says his name was. They escape and Cyclops throws a boulder into the ocean which brings them back to the front and Odysseus taunts him again and makes the mistake of telling his real name. Cyclops prays to his father and he curses Odysseus.

The Witch Circe

An enchantress in the hall of Circe.

Circe

A sorceress who turns Odysseus's men into pigs and later restores them with Hermes' help.

Land of the Dead

The underworld where Odysseus makes offerings to the dead and seeks advice from Tiresias.

Tiresias

A prophet who tells Odysseus to avoid Helios's cattle and predicts his future.

Helios

The Sun God whose cattle Odysseus's crew is warned not to touch.

Scylla

A six-headed sea monster that Odysseus is advised to approach instead of Charybdis.

Charybdis

A whirlpool that poses a threat to Odysseus and his crew.

The Sirens

Creatures with a mystical voice that lure sailors to their doom; Odysseus is warned to plug his crew's ears.

Eumachus

A swineherd who shows hospitality to Odysseus when he returns home.

Telemachus

Odysseus's son who initially does not recognize his father upon his return.

Athena

The goddess who helps Odysseus by disguising him as a beggar.

Zeus

The king of the gods who punishes Odysseus's crew for eating Helios's cattle.

The Cattle of the Sun God

The sacred cattle of Helios that Odysseus's crew is forbidden to touch.

Reunion of Odysseus and Telemachus

The emotional meeting between Odysseus and his son after 20 years apart.

Phaecians

The people who help Odysseus return home after his long journey.

Odysseus's Journey

The series of adventures and challenges faced by Odysseus on his way back to Ithaca.

Offerings to the Dead

The sacrifices made by Odysseus to gain the favor of Tiresias in the Land of the Dead.

Odysseus's Isolation

The feeling of loneliness and separation experienced by Odysseus during his journey.

Odysseus's Transformation

The change in Odysseus's appearance and identity as he returns home.

The Storm

The event that delays Odysseus's crew and leads them to eat the cattle of Helios.

The Beggar and the Faithful Dog

Odysseus is disguised to enter the manor, and his dog, Argos, recognizes him before passing away peacefully.

The Test of the Great Bow

The test for Penelope's marriage where suitors must string Odysseus' bow and shoot it through ax handles, leading to Odysseus' killing of the suitors.

Death of the Palace

Odysseus kills the suitors, starting with Antinous, leading to a bloodbath and the hanging of disloyal servants.

Odysseus and Penelope

Penelope tests Odysseus by asking him to move their bed, which he knows is impossible, confirming his identity.

Laertes

Father of Odysseus who reunites with him upon his return to Ithaca.

Polyphemus

The cyclops whose story is told in the Odyssey.

The Laestrygonians

Cannibals that kill most of Odysseus' fleet, described as large and powerful.

Alcinous

King of the Phaeacians who helps Odysseus reach home by providing hospitality and safe passage.

Eurylochus

Odysseus' brother-in-law who contrasts Odysseus' bravery with his skepticism.

Teiresias

The blind prophet from Thebes who helps Odysseus learn how to return home and avoid Poseidon's wrath.

Scylla and Charybdis

A six-headed sea monster and a whirlpool that pose dangers to Odysseus.

Eurycleia

The devoted nurse who recognizes Odysseus in disguise due to a scar on his leg.

Argos

Odysseus' loyal hunting dog who recognizes him after 20 years.