English I H: The Odyssey Test - Sandt

Poseidon

God of the sea; angry at Odysseus for blinding his son Polyphemus and delays his return home.

Athena

Goddess of wisdom; protector of Odysseus who helps guide him on his journey.

Poseidon

God of the sea; angry at Odysseus for blinding his son Polyphemus and delays his return home.

Athena

Goddess of wisdom; protector of Odysseus who helps guide him on his journey.

Odysseus

Hero of The Odyssey; King of Ithaca; known for cleverness, bravery, and leadership.

Telemachus

Son of Odysseus; matures during the story while searching for his father.

Polyphemus

Cyclops; son of Poseidon; blinded by Odysseus.

Tiresias

Blind prophet in the Underworld; warns Odysseus not to eat Helios’s cattle.

Homer

Blind Greek poet who wrote The Odyssey and The Iliad.

Eurylochus

Second-in-command; convinces men to eat Helios’s cattle.

Eumaeus

Loyal swineherd who helps Odysseus reclaim his home.

Calypso

Sea nymph who keeps Odysseus on her island for 7 years.

Laertes

Father of Odysseus; regains his spirit when Odysseus returns.

Scylla

Six-headed sea monster who eats sailors.

Charybdis

Dangerous whirlpool that swallows ships.

Antinous

Arrogant suitor; first to be killed by Odysseus.

Eurynome

Loyal female servant in Odysseus’s home.

Eurymachus

Suitor who tries to bargain with Odysseus; disloyal.

Alcinous

King of the Phaeacians; helps Odysseus get home.

Circe

Sorceress who turns men into pigs; later helps Odysseus.

Zeus

King of the gods; sends signs and punishes Odysseus’s men.

Helios

God of the sun; his sacred cattle are eaten by Odysseus’s men.

Mythology

Study of cultural stories that explain origins and values.

Epic poem

Long narrative poem about a hero’s adventures and cultural values.

Verse

Writing with rhythm or meter, usually poetic.

Invocation

A prayer or request for help from the Muses at the start of an epic.

Epic hero

Larger-than-life figure who faces challenges and represents cultural values.

Muses

Goddesses of inspiration; called upon to help tell the story.

Epithet

Descriptive phrase like “Odysseus, master of many exploits.”

Epic simile

Long comparison using “like” or “as” that adds imagery.

In Medias Res

Latin for “in the middle of things”; how The Odyssey begins.

Epiphany

Sudden realization or moment of insight.

Nymph

Minor goddess tied to nature; like Calypso.

Hubris

Excessive pride; often leads to a hero’s downfall.

Hospitality

Welcoming and taking care of guests; major Greek value.

Wiles

Clever tricks or strategies; Odysseus is known for them.

Siren

Mythical creature who lures sailors to death with song.

Xenia

The sacred Greek concept of hospitality and guest-host respect.

Lotus Eaters

Temptation to give up and forget your purpose; Odysseus saves his men from this.

The Cyclops

Polyphemus eats Odysseus’s men; Odysseus escapes by using wit.

The Sirens

Beautiful but deadly singers; Odysseus hears them while tied to the mast.

Scylla & Charybdis

Deadly monsters; symbolize hard decisions and leadership sacrifices.

Argus

Odysseus’s dog who waited 20 years; symbolizes loyalty.

The Challenge

Archery contest Penelope sets; Odysseus wins by stringing the bow.

Odysseus’s Revenge

Odysseus kills the suitors and reclaims his home.

The Olive Tree Bed

Symbol of unshakable love and trust between Odysseus and Penelope.

Hospitality (Xenia)

Treating guests well; sacred Greek custom.

Bravery

Value shown by Odysseus during battles and decisions.

Cunning / Wiliness

Value shown by Odysseus through his clever tricks and strategies.

Loyalty

Value shown by Penelope, Argus, and Odysseus’s commitment to home.

Beauty = Masculinity

Greek idea that beauty is a sign of strength and manhood.

Family

Major Greek value motivating Odysseus and Penelope.

Sacrifice

Odysseus makes sacrifices to protect and lead.

Respect for gods

Disrespecting gods brings punishment, like eating Helios’s cattle.

Leadership

Odysseus makes hard choices for the good of his men.

Honor

Important Greek value based on bravery and loyalty.

The Sirens (symbol)

Temptation; their song represents dangerous desire.

Scylla & Charybdis (symbol)

The danger of unavoidable bad choices.

The Olive Tree (symbol)

Represents marriage, loyalty, and permanence.

The Cattle of the Sun God

Ody's men eat sacred cattle; Zeus punishes them.

Penelope

Intelligent, loyal, patient; uses trickery to avoid marriage.

Telemachus

Ody's son; grows into a brave and respectful host.

Antinous

Rude, selfish suitor who disrespects hospitality; gets killed first.