The Odyssey

Cassandra Meiswinkel

Odysseus

Odysseus is the hero of the story. He gets torn away from his family and thrown in Ithaca to fight in the Trojan war. He must fight many obstacles on his trip home, including monsters and fighting the gods, practically doubling what should have been a ten year journey.

Calypso

Calypso is the goddess of the sea. She fell in love with Odysseus and held him captive for eight years after the war. Then she sent him off with a raft, food, water, wine, and the protection of the sea.

Polyphemus

Polyphemus is a cyclops that captured Odysseus and was tricked by him. He blinded the cyclops while he was sleeping and snuck out of his cave riding under a ram.

Poseidon

Poseidon is the god of the sea and father of Polyphemus. After Odysseus blinds his son, he holds a grudge towards him and makes his journey on the sea extremely hard.

Athena Athena is the goddess of

wisdom. She guides Odysseus through his journey home and advises him to stay away from rash decisions.

Alcinous

Alcinous is the king of the Phaeacians, who escort Odysseus back to Ithaca. Because he is a guest, they treat him with honor and respect and shower him with gifts.

Other Characters

Penelope: Odysseus’ wife; Queen of Ithaca.Ino: Goddess of the sea who helped Odysseus in a storm.Nausicaa: Phaeacian princess.Arete: Queen of the Phaeacians.Zeus: King of the Gods.Demodicus: Blind minstrel for the Phaeacians.Ciconians: Killed by Odysseus and his men for provisions.Lotus-Eaters: Eater of flowers, who forget the past.Aeolus: God of the winds.