Key Characters and Concepts in The Odyssey

Xenia

Hospitality; the ancient Greek concept of guest-friendship and generosity to strangers.

Hubris

Excessive pride or confidence, often leading to downfall in Greek tragedies and epics.

Odysseus

Hero of The Odyssey; King of Ithaca who struggles to return home after the Trojan War.

Telemachus

Son of Odysseus and Penelope; grows into manhood during his father's absence.

Penelope

Faithful wife of Odysseus; cleverly delays remarriage by weaving and unweaving a shroud.

Eumaeus

Loyal swineherd who assists Odysseus upon his return to Ithaca.

Nestor

King of Pylos who hosts Telemachus and offers guidance on his father's whereabouts.

Peisistratus

Nestor's son who accompanies Telemachus to Sparta to see Menelaus; the two become friends.

Menelaus

King of Sparta who hosts Telemachus and provides information about his father

Antinous

Arrogant suitor of Penelope; leads the campaign to have Telemachus killed.

Eurymachus

A manipulative and deceitful suitor vying for Penelope's hand.

Calypso

Nymph who keeps Odysseus on her island, Ogygia, for seven years.

Circe

Enchantress who turns Odysseus's men into pigs; later helps him on his journey.

Polyphemus

Cyclops blinded by Odysseus; son of Poseidon.

Scylla

Man-eating sea monster with six heads and twelve legs who devours sailors.

Charybdis

Sea monster who swallows huge amounts of water, creating deadly whirlpools.

Lotus-eaters

Inhabitants of an island who offer Odysseus's men lotus plants that cause forgetfulness and apathy toward homecoming.

Laestrygonians

Giant cannibals who destroy all of Odysseus's ships except his own.

Sirens

Creatures whose enchanting songs lure sailors to their deaths.

King Aeolus

Keeper of the winds; gives Odysseus a bag of wind to aid his journey home.

Hyperion

Sun god whose sacred cattle are eaten by Odysseus's men, leading to their deaths.

King Alcinous

King of the Phaeacians who hosts Odysseus and listens to the tale of his journey.

Queen Arete

Queen of the Phaeacians; respected by her people and involved in Odysseus's welcome.

Nausicaa

Daughter of Alcinous and Arete who finds Odysseus and helps him reach the palace.