| Homer | Wrote The Odyssey, born sometime between 12th and 8th centuries BC |
| Calypso | Nymph holding Odysseus hostage on the island of Ogygia, her home |
| Odysseus | Protagonist, hero of story, son of Laertes, husband of Penelope, father of Telemachus, king of Ithaca |
| Athena | goddess, daughter of Zeus, sometimes disguised as MentesFavors Odysseus because of all the greeks, he possesses the qualities she’s a a patron of |
| Pylos | Kingdom ruled by King Nestor |
| Telemachus | Son of Odysseus and Penelope, leaves Ithaca to look for his father |
| Proteus | The Old Man of the Sea, shapeshifter, servant of Poseidon |
| Mentes | King of the Taphians, who Athena is disguised as |
| Penelope | Wife of Odysseus, mother of Telemachus, queen of Ithaca |
| Ithaca | City ruled by Odysseus |
| Troy | Where the Trojan War took place, all soldiers and kings leave to go back home after war |
| Hermes | Son of Zeus, messenger god |
| Nestor | King of Pylos, and son of NeleusTelemachus goes to him first for help with finding his father |
| Menelaus | Ruler of Sparta, husband of Helen, brother of AgamemnonGoes up against Proteus to find his way back home from war, Telemachus seeks help from him about Odysseus |
| Helen | Daughter of Zeus, wife of MenelausOriginally leaves Sparta to be with Paris, causing the Trojan War, eventually back home, she admits she was wrong |
| Zeus | King of all gods, god of thunderbolt, father of the Olympians and many mortals |
| Poseidon | God of the sea, younger brother of Zeus, father of Polyphemus(cyclops)Enemy of Odysseus because he blinds Polyphemus |
| Pisistratus | Son of Nestor, accompanies Telemachus to Sparta to see Menelaus |
| Antinous | One of Penelope’s suitors in Ithaca, defies Telemachus, very arrogant |
| Hubris | Excessive pride |
| Xenia | Guest-host relationshipGood xenia-relationship between Athena disguised as Mentes and Telemachus Bad xenia-suitors in Ithaca |
| Eurycleia | Loyal servant to Odysseus and Penelope in Ithaca, keeps journey of Telemachus a secret |
| Circe | goddess and enchantress, changes men to swine |
| Mt. Olympus | Home of gods |
| Sparta | Ruled by Menelaus, where Telemachus goes after Pylos |
| How does Athena plan on getting Odysseus home? | She tells Zeus that she will go to Ithaca to inspire Telemachus to go on a journey to find his father by sending him to Pylos and Sparta to learn about where he is |
| Story of Aegisthus/Orestes/Agamemnon/Clytemnestra | While Agamemnon is fighting in Troy, Aegisthus seduced his wife Clytemnestra. When Agamemnon returned, Aegisthus kills him. Orestes avenges his father’s death by killing Aegisthus and Clytemnestra. |
| Why does Zeus mention the Aegisthus and Orestes story? | To compare with the story of Penelope and Odysseus because Odysseus has also been gone from home a long time because of the war, and Penelope has many suitors after her to take the place of Odysseus. |
| Hubris presented in The Odyssey | Pride of Odysseus after blinding Polyphemus and yelling out his name to the Cyclops after departing on his ship with his menOdysseus believes no one can stop him |
| Odysseus’ character | Strong and courageous warrior, cunning and quick thinking, thirst for glory, confidence in his authority |
| Telemachus’ character | Still maturing, protective of his mother and father’s land, learns the responsibilities of a young prince, and becomes more assertive |
| How does Penelope hold off the suitors? | She puts off her decision and leads them on with promises. She says she won’t remarry until she finishes a burial shroud which will never be completed. |
| Why does Athena think Telemachus should visit Nestor and Menelaus? | To earn a name for himself and find out more about what happened to Odysseus and where he is |
| Menelaus’ interaction with the “Old Man of the Sea Who Never Lies” | Menelaus has to pin down Proteus in order to find out how to get back home, which he does with the help of Proteus’ daughter |
| When did Homer write The Odyssey? | 750 BC |
| What is the setting of The Odyssey? | During the Bronze Age, 12th century BCE |
| Augury | A sign of what will happen in the future |
| How does Helen help the men with their grief when Telemachus visits Sparta? | She slips a drug into the wine that makes them forget their sorrows. |
The Odyssey Books 1-4
April 25, 2020