Key Characters and Themes in The Odyssey

Key Characters in The Odyssey

• Odysseus: The main character, known for his intelligence and courage.
• Telemachus: Odysseus' son, who supports his father in reclaiming their home.
• Penelope: Odysseus' wife, loyal to him during his absence.
• Antinous: A leading suitor, arrogant and disrespectful.
• Eurymachus: Another suitor who tries to negotiate his survival.
• Amphinomus: A reluctant suitor.

Key Themes in The Odyssey

• Revenge: Odysseus seeks retribution against the suitors for their mistreatment.
• Justice: The consequences of the suitors' actions are portrayed as fitting punishments.
• Xenia (Guest Hospitality): The suitors violate this important Greek custom.

Important Terms

• Xenia: Greek concept of hospitality and respect for guests.
• In Media Res: A narrative beginning in the middle of an action.
• Deus Ex Machina: An unexpected plot device, often a divine intervention.
• Epithet: A descriptive phrase highlighting a character's quality (e.g., "wily Odysseus").
• Metaphor: A figure of speech that conveys meaning through comparison; contains tenor, vehicle, and ground.
  • Tenor: The concept being described.
  • Vehicle: The object that makes the comparison.
  • Ground: The link between the tenor and vehicle.

Structure of a Narrative (Aristotle)

• Exposition: Introduction of characters and setting.
• Rising Action: Development of conflicts.
• Climax: The turning point in the story.
• Falling Action: Events leading to the resolution.
• Resolution: The conclusion of the story.

Epic Elements (Aristotle's Definition)

• Plot, Character, Thought, Diction, Song, Spectacle are components of an epic poem.

Key Quotations

• Odysseus on Revenge: "You’ll all die… It’s nothing less than you deserve." (Illustrates Odysseus' determination for retribution.)
• Eurymachus' Plea: "Spare us, Odysseus, you’ve killed the worst of us." (Shows a suitor's attempt to soften consequences).

Interesting Vocabulary

• Diminutive: Small.
• Plummeting: Falling rapidly.
• Clamour: Noise.
• Parry: To deflect a blow.
• Concord: Peace or harmony.

Writing Strategies

• Thesis Statements: Clear, direct statements responding to questions.
• Combining Sentences: Using subordinating conjunctions for complex sentences.
• Character Analysis: Supporting claims about character with quotes and examples.
• Subordinating Conjunction: Words that link clauses (e.g., because, although).

Creative Writing Tips

• Element Order: Organizing elements for a logical and impactful retelling.
• Sentence Variety: Varying sentence structures for better engagement.
• Sentence Types:
  • 3-word Sentence: Conveys a complete thought with three words.
  • Comma Sandwich: Sentence with descriptive information between commas.
  • Sentence Beginning with an Adverb: Detailing the action with adverbial start.
  • More, More, More Sentence: Building intensity through repetition.