characters in the odyssey

🧔‍♂ MAIN CHARACTERS

Front: Odysseus – “Man of twists and turns”
Back:

• Traits: Clever, brave, proud, loyal

• Role: Hero of the story; spends 10 years trying to return to Ithaca after the Trojan War, facing gods, monsters, and temptations.

Front: Telemachus – “Clear-headed Telemachus”
Back:

• Traits: Loyal, maturing, brave

• Role: Son of Odysseus. Searches for his father and later helps him defeat the suitors.

Front: Penelope – “Wise Penelope”
Back:

• Traits: Intelligent, faithful, patient

• Role: Odysseus’s wife who cleverly avoids choosing a new husband while waiting for his return.

🏛 GODS AND GODDESSES

Front: Athena – “Bright-eyed goddess”
Back:

• Traits: Wise, protective, clever

• Role: Odysseus’s main divine supporter. Guides him and Telemachus through their journeys.

Front: Poseidon – “Earth-shaker”
Back:

• Traits: Vengeful, powerful

• Role: God of the sea. Makes Odysseus’s journey home difficult after his son, Polyphemus, is blinded.

Front: Zeus – “Son of Cronus”
Back:

• Traits: Powerful, just

• Role: King of the gods. Balances justice—sometimes helps Odysseus, sometimes punishes wrongdoers.

Front: Hermes – “Giant-killer Hermes”
Back:

• Traits: Swift, helpful

• Role: Messenger god. Tells Calypso to free Odysseus and gives him advice to resist Circe.

Front: Calypso – “Nymph with lovely braids”
Back:

• Traits: Passionate, possessive

• Role: Keeps Odysseus on her island for 7 years and offers him immortality.

Front: Circe – “The nymph with lovely braids”
Back:

• Traits: Mysterious, magical

• Role: Turns Odysseus’s men into pigs. Later becomes an ally and prepares him for the Underworld.

🧌 MONSTERS & SUPERNATURAL BEINGS

Front: Polyphemus – “Lawless brute”
Back:

• Traits: Cruel, monstrous

• Role: Cyclops blinded by Odysseus. His curse triggers Poseidon's wrath.

Front: Scylla
Back:

• Traits: Deadly, monstrous

• Role: Eats six of Odysseus’s men as they sail past her cliff.

Front: Charybdis
Back:

• Traits: Destructive, relentless

• Role: A giant whirlpool that nearly sinks Odysseus’s ship.

Front: Sirens
Back:

• Traits: Hypnotic, dangerous

• Role: Lure sailors with their song. Odysseus survives by being tied to the mast.

🏠 ITHACANS & ALLIES

Front: Eumaeus – “Loyal swineherd”
Back:

• Traits: Kind, loyal

• Role: Gives Odysseus shelter in disguise. Fights with him against the suitors.

Front: Philoetius – “Loyal cowherd”
Back:

• Traits: Brave, trustworthy

• Role: Helps Odysseus and Telemachus fight the suitors.

Front: Laertes
Back:

• Traits: Grieving, noble

• Role: Odysseus’s father. Reunites with Odysseus in the final book and helps restore peace.

Front: Antinous
Back:

• Traits: Arrogant, violent

• Role: The worst suitor. He insults Odysseus and is the first to die.

Front: Eurymachus
Back:

• Traits: Deceitful, cowardly

• Role: Tries to avoid punishment after Antinous dies but is also killed.

Front: Melanthius
Back:

• Traits: Disloyal, rude

• Role: Goat herder who betrays Odysseus. Is brutally punished.

🧭 OTHER IMPORTANT FIGURES

Front: Nausicaa
Back:

• Traits: Respectful, kind

• Role: Phaeacian princess who helps Odysseus reach the palace.

Front: King Alcinous
Back:

• Traits: Generous, noble

• Role: King of Phaeacia who hosts Odysseus and sends him home.

Front: Queen Arete
Back:

• Traits: Wise, respected

• Role: Queen of Phaeacia. Odysseus appeals to her for help.

Front: Tiresias
Back:

• Traits: Wise, prophetic

• Role: Blind prophet in the Underworld who tells Odysseus how to reach home safely.

Front: Elpenor
Back:

• Traits: Foolish, unlucky

• Role: Crew member who dies on Circe’s roof. Asks for a proper burial in the Underworld.

Front: Anticleia
Back:

• Traits: Loving, sorrowful

• Role: Odysseus’s mother. Tells him she died of grief during his absence.

Front: Agamemnon
Back:

• Traits: Bitter, cautious

• Role: Killed by his wife after returning from Troy. Warns Odysseus to test Penelope’s loyalty.