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