The Odyssey Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing characters and places in The Odyssey.

Troy

Site of a war where the Odyssey's characters fought.

Ismarus

A stop on the journey in The Odyssey.

Land of the Lotus Eaters

A location in The Odyssey where some men are intoxicated.

Cyclops' Land

A place where Odysseus and his men meet Polyphemus, and some are eaten.

Aeaea

The island where Odysseus and his crew meet Circe and stay for a year.

Land of the Dead

A place where Odysseus meets the prophet.

Ithaca

Odysseus's home where he is king, and where he explains their journey.

Epic

A long poem recounting the deeds and adventures of a hero or nation.

Quest

Something derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the history of legendary figures.

Invocation of the Muse

A formal appeal for inspiration, often made to a divinity or muse at the beginning of a poem.

In medias res

The technique of beginning a story by dropping the reader in the midst of the action.

Epic simile

An extended comparison, typically found in epic poems, that uses 'like' or 'as' to compare seemingly dissimilar things.

Odysseus

Laertes' son, seeking his home in Ithaca, a warrior in the Trojan War, and a leader who tries to get his men home safely.

Penelope

Odysseus's wife, a loyal supporter to her husband, staying faithful to him though he is far.

Telemachus

Odysseus's son, a young boy with potential, confused about his parents' past.

Eurylochus

Odysseus's crew member, a brave and willing companion, loyally staying with his captain through all hardships.

Elpinor

Odysseus's companion, a foolish warrior who fell into the trap (Circe), a spirit who wants a proper burial.

Calypso

A Goddess; imprisioner of Odysseus, not willing to let her guest go.

Polyphemus

Poseidon's son; wretched cyclops, grant who fails to kill Odysseus

Lotus Eaters

A group dependent on Lotuses; people who trap Odysseus's men, eaters who have lost their purpose.

Athena

Noble daughter of Zeus; perastent helper of Odysseus, supporter of returning Odysseus home.

Zeus

King of Gods; a warrior himself, final decider of Odysseus's fare.

Circe

A disguised witch's cunning trickster, monster who almost killed Odysseus.

Poseidon

Polyphemus's father; king/god of the seas, enraged at what Odysseus did to his son.

Tiresias

Underworld's prophet; blind spirit, dead sal who knows it all.

Muse

Odysseus's daughter, gatless of art and memory, women who were inspiration for the Odyssey.

Phaeacia

They explain their journey to the king.