Characters
Odysseus
King of Ithaca and the main character and hero of The Odyssey
Penelope
Odysseus's wife who uses clever tricks to keep the suitors away
Telemachus
Odysseus' son who fights by his father's side to beat the suitors.
Argos
Odysseus' old dog who has been neglected during the 20 years Odysseus was away
Zeus
The king of the Greek gods who punishes Odysseus during his journey
Poseidon
The Greek god of the sea who tells on Odysseus because he injured his son, the cyclops
Athena
The Greek goddess of war and wisdom who helps Odysseus, the warrior.
Aeolus
The Greek god of wind who tries to help Odysseus with his bags of winds
Lotus Eaters
Gentle island people who offer their addictive plant to Odysseus' crew.
Circe
An evil enchantress who bewitches Odysseus' crew, but then is forced to help
Sirens
Half women-half bird creatures who lure sailors to their death with song
Scylla & Charybdis
A giant six-headed beast and a ship-swallowing whirlpool monster
Tiresias
A blind prophet Odysseus speaks to in The Land of the Dead
Elpenor
Odysseus' former crew member who died from an accident at Circe's
Eumaeus
Odysseus' loyal servant who helps him carry out his plan to kill the suitors
Antinous
The leader of the suitors who plan to steal Odysseus' wife and riches