Epic
Noting or pertaining to a long poetic
composition, usually centered upon a
hero, in which a series of great
achievements or events is narrated
in elevated style
Characteristics of an epic:
• The hero is a figure of great national or even
•
cosmic importance, usually the ideal man of his
culture. He often has superhuman or divine
traits. He has an imposing physical stature and
is greater in all ways than the common man.
The setting is vast in scope. It covers great
geographical distances, perhaps even visiting
the underworld, other worlds, other times.
Characteristics of an epic:
• The action consists of deeds of valor or
superhuman courage (especially in battle).
• Supernatural forces interest themselves in
the action and intervene at times. The
intervention of the gods is called
"machinery."
• The style of writing is elevated, even
ceremonial.
Homer
The blind poet who
wrote the Iliad and
the Odyssey.
Odysseus
The protagonist of the
story. Was gone from
his home, Ithaca, for
20 years after fighting
in the Trojan War.
Penelope
Faithful wife of
Odysseus and mother
of Telemachus.
Telemachus
Son of Odysseus who
sets off on a journey
to find his lost father.
Athena
Goddess of wisdom, art,
war, and peace. She
is the protector of
Odysseus.
Calypso
Nymph who keeps
Odysseus on her
island for 7 years.
Hermes
The messenger god.
He delivers messages
from Zeus to help
Odysseus.
King Alcinous
King of Phaeacia.
Odysseus tells the
king the story of his
travels.
Lotus Eaters
People who feed the
men with the lotus
plant to make them
forget their homes
and desire to do
nothing but eat the
lotus plant.
Polyphemus
The cyclops son of
Poseidon who eats
men.
Poseidon
God of the sea and
brother to Zeus. He
causes Odysseus to
get lost at sea for 20
years.
Circe
The witch goddess who
turns Odysseus’ men
to pigs.
Tiresias
The blind prophet who
meets Odysseus in
the Land of the Dead
to tell him how to get
back to Ithaca.
Sirens
Sea nymphs who use
beautiful songs to lure
sailors to steer their
ships into rocks.
Scylla
A monster with 6 snake
heads, all with 3 rows
of fangs.
Charybdis
A sea monster who
feeds 3 times a day
by forming a deadly
whirlpool
Helios
God of the sun. He
owns an island full of
forbidden cattle.
Eurymachus
One of Penelope’s
suitors
Antinous
Penelope’s main suitor
and enemy to
Telemachus
Eurycleia
Odysseus’ old nurse
who recognizes him
by a scar on his leg.
Zeus
The most powerful god
on Mount Olympus.