Odyssey Character Flashcards

Study Notes

Character Highlights

Aeolus: Giver of favorable winds and a bag containing the unfavorable winds; later depicted as a minor god.
Circe: Beautiful witch-goddess who turns Odysseus's crew into swine; becomes Odysseus's lover after he resists her spells.
Polyphemus: A Cyclops who captures Odysseus and his men, but is blinded by Odysseus’s cunning; angers Poseidon, Polyphemus's father.
Telemachus: Son of Odysseus, devoted to his mother and his father's estate; matures throughout the story and confronts the suitors.
Zeus: King of the gods who mediates disputes among deities; sometimes aids Odysseus or allows Athena to assist him.
Antinous: Most arrogant suitor of Penelope; leads efforts to kill Telemachus and is the first suitor to die upon Odysseus’s return.
Helios: The sun god, known for his seven herds of oxen and flocks of sheep; significant figure in the story due to his cattle.
Alcinous: King of the Phaeacians who provides Odysseus with hospitality and safe passage back to Ithaca.
Elpenor: Youngest member of Odysseus's crew who dies after climbing Circe’s palace while drunk; his spirit seeks Odysseus in the underworld.
Odysseus: A complex hero defined by strength, courage, and cunning; desires both kleos (glory) and nostos (homecoming); learns patience and wisdom throughout his journey.

Major Conflicts and Encounters

Poseidon: God of the sea and Odysseus's divine opponent; angry over the blinding of his son, Polyphemus; consistently obstructs Odysseus’s journey.
Eumaeus: The loyal shepherd aiding Odysseus in reclaiming his throne; extends hospitality to Odysseus, unaware of his true identity.
Penelope: Faithful wife of Odysseus, cunning in delaying remarriage; uses various tactics to manage the suitors while refusing to lose hope for Odysseus's return.
Sirens: Odysseus's encounter involves being bound to the mast to safely hear their alluring song without succumbing to their temptation.
Charybdis: A dangerous whirlpool threatening to swallow ships; pairs with the six-headed monster Scylla as a significant challenge for Odysseus.
Eurylochus: Second-in-command of Odysseus's ship; related to Odysseus by marriage.
Athena: Goddess of wisdom and battle; aids Odysseus due to admiration for his cleverness and bravery; also assists Telemachus in becoming more assertive.

Additional Characters and Settings

Scylla: A six-headed monster that devours sailors; poses a lethal threat when navigating between her and Charybdis.
Pisistratus: Youngest son of Nestor; becomes close friend to Telemachus and accompanies him in his search for Odysseus.
Lotus Eaters: Inhabitants who offer Odysseus's men intoxicating lotus fruit, causing forgetfulness and diversion from their journey.
Cicones: Initial stop after leaving Troy; men are plundered and face retribution, losing men and resources due to their greed.
Hermes: Messenger god who plays a role in guiding Odysseus; sent by Athena to facilitate Odysseus’s journey.
Tiresias: A blind prophet in the underworld who reveals how Odysseus can return to Ithaca and communicates with the spirits.
Theoclymenus: Seeks refuge with Telemachus; accompanies him back to Ithaca, adding to the narrative of Odysseus’s journey.
Laestrygonians: Cannibal giants that destroy most of Odysseus's fleet, representing the perilous nature of his homeward journey.

Description

Test your knowledge of key characters from Homer's 'Odyssey' with these flashcards. Explore the traits and stories of figures like Aeolus and Circe, and understand their significance in Odysseus's journey. Perfect for students studying this classic epic!