important characters in the odyssey. odysseus hero of the odyssey wife: penelope son: telemachus...
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Important Characters in The Odyssey
Odysseus Hero of The Odyssey
Wife: Penelope Son: Telemachus
Great soldier of the war Came up with the wooden-horse trick
that lead to Troy’s collapse.Odysseus fought among the other
Greek heroes at Troy and struggles to return to his kingdom in Ithaca.
Penelope Wife of Odysseus and mother of
Telemachus. Penelope spends her days in the
palace longing for her husband.
Calypso (ka-lip-so)A sea goddess who lives on the island
of Ogygia.Holds Odysseus prisoner for 7 years.
Alcinous (al-sin-o-es) The king of the Phaeacians. Provides Odysseus a safe passage back to Ithaca.
Laertes (lay-er-teez) Odysseus’ father
Circe (sur-se)A witch-goddess who lives on the
island of Aeaea. Transforms Odysseus’ crew into
swine.
Zeus
The chief of the Greek gods and goddess.
Father of Athena and Apollo.
Cicones
Allies of the Trojans, who live at Ismarus.
Lotus Eaters
Inhabitants of a land Odysseus visits.
Cyclopes A race of one-eyed giants; an individual member of the race is a Cyclops.
Polyphemus
Apollo
The god of music, poetry, prophecy, and medicine.
Poseidon The god of the sea, earthquakes, and
horses.Father of Cyclops who battles
Odysseus.
Book 9 Review What is Odysseus’ ultimate destination? He wants to get home to his wife and son
in Ithaca. What does Odysseus think of the way
Cyclopes lives? He thinks that the Cyclopes are wild and
savage.How does Odysseus injure Polyphemus? He puts out his eye with a heated spike.
Vocabulary Check Identify the synonym for each word.
1. Ponderous DelicateFun Heavy
Heavy 2. Adversary
PartnerEnemy Ally
Enemy
3. Avenge Revenge Forgive Sympathize
Revenge 4. Disdain
Admire Hatred Praise
Hatred
Characters
Aeolus The guardian of the winds.
Laestrygones (les-trig-o-neez)
Cannibal inhabitants of a distant land.
Eurylochus (you-ril-o-kes)
A trusted officer of Odysseus.
Hermes
Messenger of the gods.
Persephone (per-sef-uh-nee)
The wife of the ruler of the underworld.
Tiresias(tahy-ree-see-uhs)
A blind prophet whose spirit of Odysseus visits in the underworld.
Book 10 Review What happens to Eurylochus’ men after they
drink Circe’s wine? They turn into pigs and forget all thoughts of
home. How is Odysseus able to withstand Circe’s
magic?He uses the magical plant to keep himself free
from Circe’s spell.After a year of Circe’s hospitality who convinces
Odysseus that it is time to depart?His shipmates
Vocabulary Check Whom would you expect to act with stealth-
A spy, a surgeon, or a firefighter? A spy If you’re feeling disconsolate, are you
happy, sad, or angry? Sad Would a beguiling person disgust other
people, attract other people, or bore other people?
Attract other people
More Vocabulary! Would you expect someone known as a
contender to compete, to surrender, or to cooperate?
To competeDoes someone ready to succumb in a
struggle say “Charge,” “Take that,” or “I give up”?
“I give up”
Characters
Sirens Creatures, part woman and part
bird, whose songs lure sailors to their death.
Scylla A six-headed sea monster who
devours sailors.
Charybdis (ke-rib-dis) A dangerous whirlpool personified
as a female monster.
Helios God of SunRaises his cattle on the Land of the
Golden Cattle.
Book 12 Review At the beginning of the episode, where
have Odysseus and his men been? The underworld and to Circe’s islandHow does Odysseus manage to hear the
Sirens safely? He has himself tied to the mast. How do Odysseus’ men anger the sun
god? They kill and eat his cattle.
Vocabulary Check Match the phrase in the 1st column to its similar
meaning in the 2nd column. Lurk on the left E Traveling in one’s
dreamCDesigned to dwindleBA terrifying blazeAMental anguish D
A. A dire fireB. made to fadeC. questing
while restingD. brain painE. hide on one
side
Antinous and EurymachusSuitors of Penelope.
Telemachus Odysseus’ son.
Philoetius(cowherd) and Eumaeus (swineherd)
Trusted servants in Odysseus’ household.
Eurycleia (yur-i-klaya)An old female servant, still loyal to
Odysseus.
Journal (8-10 sentences) NTS Rule!
Some people say that Odysseus’ revenge was justified by how long he and his family have suffered. Others believe his response was too severe and he did not show any mercy. Was Odysseus justified in his revenge?