Key Characters in The Odyssey: Book 1

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Questions and Answers

Who is Calypso?

Goddess-nymph, daughter of Atlas (correct)

God of the sea

King of Mycenae

Messenger of the gods

Poseidon is known as the god of what?

Hospitality

The sky

The sea (correct)

The underworld

Who is Odysseus?

Grandson of Arcesius and Autolycus, son of Laertes and Anticleia, husband of Penelope, father of Telemachus, king of Ithaca.

Who is Zeus?

King of the gods, son of Cronus and Rhea. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Aegisthus?

Son of Thyestes, seducer of Clytemnestra, and murderer of Agamemnon. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Agamemnon?

King of Mycenae, husband of Clytemnestra, and supreme commander of Achaea's armies. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Orestes?

Son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, the avenger of his father. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Hermes?

God, son of Zeus and Maia, messenger of the gods. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Athena?

Goddess, daughter of Zeus, and defender of the Achaeans. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Polyphemus?

Cyclops, son of Poseidon and Thoosa, blinded by Odysseus. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Telemachus?

Grandson of Laertes and Anticleia, son of Odysseus and Penelope. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Phemius?

Son of Terpis, Ithacan bard. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Laertes?

Son of Arcesius, husband of Anticleia, father of Odysseus. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Penelope?

Daughter of Icarius, wife of Odysseus, mother of Telemachus, queen of Ithaca. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Nestor?

Son of Neleus, king of the Pylians, and father of Antilochus. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Menelaus?

Son of Atreus, king of Lacedaemon, and husband of Helen. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Antinous?

Son of Eupithes, one of the two leading suitors. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Eurymachus?

One of the two leading suitors, son of Polybus. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Eurycleia?

The old nurse of Odysseus and Telemachus, attendant of Penelope. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Characters in The Odyssey: Book 1

Calypso: A goddess-nymph who resides on the island of Ogygia, daughter of Atlas.
Poseidon: God of the sea and son of Cronus; brother of Zeus; antagonist of Odysseus and father of the Cyclops Polyphemus.
Odysseus: Protagonist of the epic, king of Ithaca, husband of Penelope, father of Telemachus, known for his cleverness and adventurous spirit.
Zeus: King of the gods, associated with the sky and weather; brother and husband to Hera, governs the universe and punishes injustice.
Aegisthus: Son of Thyestes, lover of Clytemnestra, and murderer of Agamemnon; ultimately killed by Orestes.
Agamemnon: King of Mycenae, leader of the Achaean forces at Troy; brother of Menelaus; murdered by his wife Clytemnestra and Aegisthus.
Orestes: Avenger of Agamemnon; son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra.
Hermes: Messenger of the gods and son of Zeus; known for his role in guiding souls to the underworld and renowned as a giant-killer.
Athena (Mentes): Goddess of wisdom and warfare; daughter of Zeus; protector of Odysseus and the Achaeans, celebrated for her support in human ingenuity.
Polyphemus: A Cyclops, son of Poseidon; notorious for being blinded by Odysseus during their encounter.
Telemachus: Heir to the throne of Ithaca; son of Odysseus and Penelope, grandson of Laertes and Anticleia.
Phemius: The bard from Ithaca, son of Terpis, known for his song and storytelling.
Laertes: Father of Odysseus, husband of Anticleia; son of Arcesius.
Penelope: Wife of Odysseus and mother of Telemachus; daughter of Icarius; embodies loyalty and intelligence.
Nestor: King of Pylos, known for his wisdom and bravery; father to several heroes including Antilochus and Pisistratus.
Menelaus: King of Lacedaemon, brother of Agamemnon, husband of Helen; played a crucial role in the Trojan War.
Antinous: Leading suitor for Penelope; son of Eupithes; known for his arrogance and opposition to Odysseus.
Eurymachus: Another prominent suitor of Penelope; son of Polybus; ultimately killed by Odysseus in his quest for revenge.
Eurycleia: The loyal nurse of Odysseus and Telemachus; serves as an essential attendant to Penelope.

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Description

Explore the key characters introduced in Book 1 of Homer's 'The Odyssey'. This quiz delves into the relationships and attributes of notable figures such as Odysseus, Calypso, and Poseidon. Test your knowledge and understanding of these mythical personalities and their roles in the epic tale.