The Odyssey Vocabulary and Epic Elements

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering major characters and epic literary elements from Unit 11 of the 9th grade Holt Literature Textbook on The Odyssey.

Helios

The sun god, who raises his cattle on the island of Thrinacia.

Zeus

The ruler of the Greek gods and goddesses; father of Athena and Apollo.

Telemachus

Odysseus' son.

Penelope

Odysseus' wife.

Hermes

The god of invention, commerce, and cunning; messenger of the gods.

Calypso

A sea goddess who lives on the island of Ogygia.

Laertes

Odysseus' father.

Alcinous

The king of the Phaeacians.

Circe

A goddess and enchantress who lives on the island of Aeaea.

Cicones

Allies of the Trojans, who live at Ismarus.

Lotus Eaters

Inhabitants of a land Odysseus visits.

Cyclopes

A race of one-eyed giants; an individual member of the race is a Cyclops.

Apollo

The god of music, poetry, prophecy, and medicine.

Poseidon

The god of the seas, earthquakes, and horses; father of the Cyclops who battles Odysseus.

Aeolus

The guardian of the winds.

Laestrygones

Cannibal inhabitants of a distant land.

Eurylochus

A trusted officer of Odysseus'.

Persephone

The wife of Hades, ruler of the underworld.

Tiresias of Thebes

A blind prophet whose spirit Odysseus visits in the underworld.

Elpenor

One of Odysseus' crew, killed in an accident.

Sirens

Creatures, part woman and part bird, whose songs lure sailors to their death.

Scylla

A six-headed sea monster who devours sailors.

Charybdis

A dangerous whirlpool personified as a female sea monster.

Athena

The goddess of war, wisdom, and cleverness; goddess of crafts.

Eumaeus

A servant in Odysseus' household.

Argos

Odysseus' dog.

Antinous

A suitor of Penelope's.

Eurymachus

A suitor of Penelope's.

Philoetius

A servant in Odysseus' household.

Amphinomus

A suitor of Penelope's.

Eurynome

A female servant in Odysseus' household.

Eurycleia

An old female servant, still loyal to Odysseus.

Epic Hero

A character who possesses superhuman strength, craftiness, and confidence; is helped and harmed by interfering gods; embodies ideals and values that a culture considers admirable; and emerges victorious from perilous situations.

Epic Plot

A storyline involving a long journey, full of complications, such as strange creatures, divine intervention, large-scale events, and treacherous weather.

Epic Setting

Includes fantastic or exotic lands and involves more than one nation.

Archetypes

Characters, situations, and images that are recognizable in many times and cultures, such as a sea monster, buried treasure, or a loyal servant.

Epic Themes

Universal concerns reflected in an epic, such as courage, a homecoming, loyalty, the fate of a nation, beauty, and life and death.