The Odyssey
Main Human Characters
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Odysseus - The Odyssey is the story of his journey home from the
Trojan war. He i5 brave, loyal, and above all else clever. He is the
king of Ithaca.
Penelope - The faithful, loyal wife of Odysseus. She patiently waits
20 years for his return. She is Homer's example of the perfect Greek
wife and mother.
Telemachus- Son of Odysseus and Penelope. He was only an infant
when his father left to fight in Troy. The Odyssey is also a story about
Telemachus' journey to manhood.
Minor Human Characters
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Alcinous- King of the Phaecians
Arete – Queen of the Phaecians.
Elpenor – Unlucky crew member of Odysseus’ boat who dies on
Aeaea.
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Eurylochus – Second in command of Odysseus’ crew, but loses his
nerve and becomes leader of opposition to Odysseus.
Laertes – Odysseus’ noble father.
Nausicaa – Princess of the Phaecians.
Tiresias- A famous, deceased Greek prophet. Odysseus goes to
Hades to consult his spirit.
Gods Who Help Odysseus
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Athena- Goddess of wisdom. She comes to Odysseus' aid by
intervening with the other gods to bring Poseidon into line and let
Odysseus go home.
Hermes- Messenger of the gods. He is sent by Zeus to order Calypso
to release Odysseus. He, also, guides the souls of the suitors to
Hades.
Ino / Leucothoe – Nymph who takes pity on Odysseus and gives him
her veil to save him from drowning.
Zeus- King of all the gods. He is the keeper of Fate. He lets Athena
assist Odysseus.
Gods and Others Who Impede The Journey Home
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Aeolus - Keeper of the winds. He places all of the bad winds in a bag
and gives them to Odysseus. Ithaca is within sight when the ship's
crew lets the winds out and the ship is blown far away by the storms
within the bag.
Antiphates – King of the Laestrygonians. A giant cannibal.
Calypso- A beautiful nymph who tries to make Odysseus her
husband. She holds him captive for nine years. Calypso offers
Odysseus immortality if he will stay with her.
Charybdis - A violent whirlpool. It destroys all ships that get caught in
home by boat.
Cicones – Inhabitants of Ismarus and allies of the Trojans attacked by
Odysseus on his return journey. Initially successful his men linger too
longer and 72 are killed when reinforcements attack.
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Circe - When Odysseus' crew meets her she turns them into pigs.
Odysseus becomes her lover, and she later helps him on his journey
home.
Helios - God of the Sun. Odysseus earns his wrath when his crew
eats some of Helios' sacred cattle.
Lampetie - Messenger goddess who grasses up Odysseus to Helios.
Lotus-Eaters - A people who eat the Lotus plant, a narcotic.
Polyphemus - Son of Poseidon. He is one of the Cyclops (one eyed
giants). Odysseus blinds him.
Poseidon - God of the Sea. He seeks revenge on Odysseus for
injuring his son, Polyphemus.
Scylla - A six headed monster that Odysseus must go by to get
home. She eats six of his men (one for each head).
Sirens - These beautiful maidens lure sailors to their deaths with an
irresistible song. Odysseus fills his crew's ears with wax to save them
from temptation.
Odyssey Book Summary
1.
2.
3.
4.
Meeting of the Gods
Telemachus calls an assembly
Telemachus meets Nestor
Telemachus visits Sparta
5. Calypso frees Odysseus
6. Odysseus shipwrecked on Scherie
7. He seeks help from the Phaeacians
8. Phaeacian games and banqueting
9. Land of the Cyclops
10. Aeolus, Laestrygonians and Circe
11. Odysseus visits Hades
‘Telemachy’
Telemachus searches for
Odysseus.
[Just before Odysseus
returns home]
Wanderings of
Odysseus.
[In 9-12 he tells
his story]
12. More Perils! (Sirens, Scylla, Charybdis)
13. He leaves Phaeacia for Ithaca
14. Odysseus returns to Ithaca
15. Telemachus returns to Ithaca
16. Telemachus recognises Odysseus
17. Odysseus arrives at the Palace
18. The suitors torment Odysseus
19. The ‘beggar’ meets Penelope
20. Odysseus’ plan
21. The Great Bow Contest
22. The Death of the Suitors
23. Reunion of Odysseus and Penelope
24. Peace returns to Ithaca
Odysseus
returns home.
[Happening now]
Actual sequence of books:
9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24