Characters in the Odyssey
Book 1
1. Helios— The sun god, who raises his cattle on the island to Thrinacia
2. Zeus— The ruler of the Greek gods and goddesses; father of Athena dna Apollo
3. Telemachus— Odysseus’ son
4. Penelope— Odysseus’ wife
Book 5
1. Hermès— the god of invention, commerce, and cunning; the messenger of the gods
2. Calypso—a sea goddess who lives on the island of Ogygia
3. Laertes— Odysseus’ father
Book 9
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Alcinous— the king of the Phaecians
Circe— a goddess and enchantress who lives on the island of Aeaea
Chic ones— allies of the Trojans, who live at Ismarus
Lotus Eaters— inhabitants of a land Odysseus visits
Cyclopes—a race of one-eyed giants; an individual member of the race ic Cyclops
Apollo—the god of music, poetry, prophecy and medicine
Poseidon— the god of the seas, earthquakes, and horses; father of the Cyclops who battles
Odysseus
Book 10
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Aeolus— the guardian of the winds
Lestrygones— cannibal inhabitants of a distant land
Eurylochus— a trusted officer of Odysseus
Persephone— the wife of Hades, the ruler of the underworld
Tiresias— of Thebes—a blind prophet whose spirit Odysseus visits in the underworld
Book 11
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Elpenor—one of Odysseus’ crew, killed in an accident
Book 12
1. Sirens— creatures, part woman and part bird, whose songs lure sailors to their death
2. Scylla— a six headed sea monster who devours sailors
3. Charybdis— a dangerous whirlpool personified as a female sea monster
Book 16
1. Athena— the goddess of war, wisdom and cleverness’ goddess of crafts
2. Eumaeus— a servant in Odysseus’ household
Book 17
1. Argos— Odysseus’ dog
Book 21-23
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Antinous— a suitor of Penelope
Eurymachus— a suitor of Penelope
Philoetius— a servant in Odysseus’ household
Amphinomus— a suitor of Penelope
Eurynome— a female servant in Odysseus’ household
Eurycleia— an old female servant, still loyal to Odysseus