The Odyssey Character List Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who is the protagonist of 'The Odyssey'?

Telemachus

Penelope

Athena

Odysseus (correct)

What does Telemachus try to do?

Rescue his mother from the suitors in Ithaca

Who is the wife of Odysseus?

Penelope

Who is the goddess that helps both Telemachus and Odysseus?

Athena Signup and view all the answers

Who is the father of all gods and goddesses?

Zeus Signup and view all the answers

Who tries to get revenge on Odysseus for the blinding of Polyphemus?

Poseidon Signup and view all the answers

Who is the leader of the suitors?

Antinous Signup and view all the answers

Which suitor shows influence over other suitors?

Eurymachus Signup and view all the answers

Who is the only decent suitor wanting to marry Penelope?

Amphinomus Signup and view all the answers

Who helps Odysseus during his journey?

Eumaeus Signup and view all the answers

Who is the nymph that imprisons Odysseus for 7 years?

Calypso Signup and view all the answers

Who is the cyclops that Odysseus blinds?

Polyphemus Signup and view all the answers

What does Circe do to Odysseus's men?

Turns them to swine Signup and view all the answers

Who is Odysseus's father?

Laertes Signup and view all the answers

Who is the Theban prophet in the Underworld?

Tiresias Signup and view all the answers

Who is the king of Pylos who gives Odysseus the bag of winds?

Nestor Signup and view all the answers

Who is the king of Sparta, brother of Agamemnon?

Menelaus Signup and view all the answers

Who is killed by Clytemnestra?

Agamemnon Signup and view all the answers

Who is the wife of Menelaus?

Helen Signup and view all the answers

Who is the daughter of King Alcinous who finds Odysseus?

Nausicaa Signup and view all the answers

Who is the king of Phaeacians who offers Odysseus hospitality?

Alcinous Signup and view all the answers

Who is the queen of Phaeacians?

Arete Signup and view all the answers

Who is the loyal servant to Penelope?

Eurycleia Signup and view all the answers

What does Achea refer to?

Mainland Greece Signup and view all the answers

What is the term that refers to the Greek people?

Acheans Signup and view all the answers

Who is the immortal man vulnerable only in his Achilles region?

Achilles Signup and view all the answers

What is the island home of Circe?

Aeaea Signup and view all the answers

What does Aeolia refer to?

Island ruled by Aeolus Signup and view all the answers

Who is the master of the winds?

Aeolus Signup and view all the answers

Who is defeated by Odysseus in a contest for Achilles' armor?

Ajax Signup and view all the answers

Who is the goddess of love?

Aphrodite Signup and view all the answers

Who is the god of arts, archery, and music?

Apollo Signup and view all the answers

Who is the god of war?

Ares Signup and view all the answers

What is an alternate name for the Acheans?

Argives Signup and view all the answers

What is the general region of the Acheans?

Argos Signup and view all the answers

Who is the goddess of childbirth and hunting?

Artemis Signup and view all the answers

Who is the Titan who holds the world upon his shoulders?

Atlas Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Atrides' mean?

Son of Atreus Signup and view all the answers

Who is the lover of Agamemnon?

Cassandra Signup and view all the answers

What is Charybdis?

Monster in the form of a giant whirlpool Signup and view all the answers

What are the Clashing Rocks?

Legendary rocks near Scylla and Charybdis Signup and view all the answers

Who is the Titan; son of Uranus; Father of Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter?

Cronus Signup and view all the answers

What is a cyclops?

Cannibal clan of one-eyed giants Signup and view all the answers

Who is the goddess of crops?

Demeter Signup and view all the answers

Who is the blind singer of the Phaeacians?

Demodocus Signup and view all the answers

Who is the god of ecstatic release, especially associated with wine?

Dionysus Signup and view all the answers

Who is the companion of Odysseus who was given a proper burial?

Elpenor Signup and view all the answers

What are the Elysian Fields?

Home of the fortunate in the Underworld Signup and view all the answers

Who is the sun god?

Helios Signup and view all the answers

Who is the god of fire and craftsmanship?

Hephaestus Signup and view all the answers

Who is the son of Zeus and hero of the Labors?

Heracles (Hercules) Signup and view all the answers

Who are the legendary cannibals in Greek mythology?

Laestrygonians Signup and view all the answers

Who are the legendary people that live on a plant whose fruit induces stupor and forgetfulness of home?

Lotus-Eaters Signup and view all the answers

Who takes the impersonation name taken by Athena?

Mentor Signup and view all the answers

Who is the daughter of Zeus and one of the nine who preside over all literature?

Muse Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Characters in The Odyssey

Odysseus: Protagonist; endures a long journey from Troy to Ithaca.
Telemachus: Son of Odysseus; seeks to rescue his mother, Penelope, from the suitors in Ithaca.
Penelope: Wife of Odysseus and mother of Telemachus; known for her loyalty.
Athena: Daughter of Zeus; goddess of wisdom, assists Telemachus and Odysseus during their quests.
Zeus: King of the gods; ruler of the heavens.
Poseidon: God of the sea; seeks revenge on Odysseus for blinding his son, Polyphemus.

Key Suitors and Allies

Antinous: Leader of the suitors vying for Penelope's hand.
Eurymachus: Influential suitor, commands respect among his peers.
Amphinomus: The most decent of the suitors, seeks to marry Penelope.
Eumaeus: Loyal shepherd who aids Odysseus upon his return.

Mythological Figures and Creatures

Calypso: Nymph who keeps Odysseus captive for seven years on her island.
Polyphemus: Cyclops blinded by Odysseus, son of Poseidon.
Circe: Enchantress who transforms Odysseus’s men into swine.
Laertes: Odysseus's father, symbolizes the past and memory of Ithaca.

Important Locations and Items

Tiresias: Theban prophet who provides critical advice to Odysseus in the Underworld.
Nestor: King of Pylos; assists Odysseus and provides him with the bag of winds.
Menelaus: King of Sparta; husband of Helen, brother of Agamemnon.
Agamemnon: Former king of Mycenae; killed by his wife Clytemnestra.
Helen: Queen of Sparta; her abduction sparked the Trojan War.

Phaeacians

Nausicaa: Daughter of King Alcinous; finds and helps Odysseus.
Alcinous: King of the Phaeacians; offers hospitality to Odysseus.
Arete: Queen of the Phaeacians; known for her wisdom and power.

Additional Characters

Eurycleia: Loyal servant to Penelope; recognizes Odysseus by his scar.
Achilles: Legendary hero, vulnerable in his heel; symbolizes pride and glory in battle.
Ajax: Defeated by Odysseus in a contest for Achilles' armor.

Notable Themes and Symbols

Lotus-Eaters: Mythical group that consumes a fruit causing forgetfulness of home.
Charybdis: Sea monster that creates a whirlpool, representing danger.
Cyclops: One-eyed giants, embody the clash between civilization and barbarism.
Elysian Fields: Paradise in the Underworld for the favored after death.

Gods and Goddesses

Aphrodite: Goddess of love.
Apollo: God of arts, music, and archery.
Ares: God of war.
Demeter: Goddess of agriculture.
Dionysus: God associated with wine and ecstatic experiences.

Legendary Creatures and Beings

Laestrygonians: Legendary cannibal clan, representing threat and savagery.
Demodocus: Blind bard of the Phaeacians, symbolizes the importance of storytelling in culture.
Atlas: Titan who holds the heavens; represents burden and endurance.

Miscellaneous Terms

Achea: Refers to Mainland Greece.
Acheans: Term for Greek people; commonly used to describe the Greek forces in the Trojan War.
Mentor: Disguise taken by Athena to guide Telemachus.

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Explore key characters from Homer's 'The Odyssey' with these flashcards. Each card includes the character's name and an essential definition, helping you understand their roles in the epic journey. Ideal for students and literature enthusiasts alike.