The Odyssey Unit Test Review

These flashcards cover vocabulary and key concepts from The Odyssey Unit Test Review.

Avarice

Greed

Personification

Giving human-like qualities to objects or animals

Epic Simile

A simile that extends over 3-4 lines

Divine Intervention

When gods interfere in human lives

Epithet

A descriptive phrase or alternate name for a character

Invocation

Calling upon a god for help or inspiration

In Medias Res

When a story starts in the middle of the action

Archetypes

A typical example of a person or thing

Hubris

Excessive pride

Cunning

Showing skill in deception or strategy

Prophecy

A prediction of future events

Valor

Bravery

Odysseus' Cunning Example 1

Odysseus tricks the Cyclops, Polyphemus, by telling him his name is 'Nobody.'

Odysseus' Cunning Example 2

Odysseus builds a relationship with Circe instead of fighting her.

Odysseus' Hubris Example 1

Odysseus insists on hearing the Sirens' song despite warnings.

Odysseus' Hubris Example 2

Odysseus reveals his name to Polyphemus after blinding him.

Divine Intervention Example 1

Hermes gives Odysseus the magical herb 'moly' to protect him from Circe.

Divine Intervention Example 2

Circe gives Odysseus advice on how to return home.

Odysseus

Main character, hero of the story.

Athena

Goddess of wisdom and war; helps Odysseus return home.

Circe

A witch who bewitches Odysseus' crew but later aids him.

Poseidon

God of the sea; Odysseus’ enemy.

Polyphemus

The Cyclops who traps Odysseus.

Telemachus

Odysseus’ son.

Penelope

Odysseus’ wife.

Laertes

Odysseus’ father.

Elpenor

A member of Odysseus' crew; dies dishonorably.

Calypso

Nymph who holds Odysseus captive for seven years.

The Suitors

Men trying to marry Penelope while Odysseus is gone.

King Aeolus

Gives Odysseus a bag of winds.

Tiresias

A blind prophet who guides Odysseus.

The Sirens

Creatures whose song lures sailors to their doom.

Scylla

A six-headed monster that eats six of Odysseus' men.

Charybdis

A deadly whirlpool that threatens Odysseus' ship.

Helios

The sun god; punishes Odysseus' crew for eating his sacred cattle.

Hermes

Messenger god; helps Odysseus resist Circe’s magic.

The Lotus Eaters

People who consume the addictive lotus fruit.

Anticlea

Odysseus’ mother.

King Alcinous

Provides Odysseus with aid on his journey home.

King Nestor

Gives Telemachus news about Odysseus.

King Menelaus

Tells Telemachus about Odysseus being stranded.

Eurylochus

Second-in-command of Odysseus' crew.

Calliope

Muse of epic poetry.

Zeus

King of the gods; frees Odysseus from Calypso.

Laestrygones

Giant cannibals who destroy Odysseus’ ships.

Cicones

Warriors who kill many of Odysseus’ men.

Trojans

The enemies Odysseus fought in the Trojan War.

Pisistratus

Son of King Nestor.