Characters

Question 1

Penelope

Answer 1

Odysseus’ wife.

She feels sorry for herself and is constantly crying because her husband has not returned.

Question 2

Telemachus

Answer 2

Odysseus’ son.
At the start of the first book, he is feeling sorry for himself and is “disconsolate” however after Athene’s visit, he changes and tells his mother off for the same behaviour he was displaying earlier.

Question 3

Calypso

Answer 3

Keeping Odysseus captive at Ogygia for 7 years.

She’s in love with Odysseus, wants to marry him and make him immortal.

Question 4

Nestor

Answer 4

King of Pylos

Question 5

Menelaus

Answer 5

King of Sparta

Question 6

Poisiden

Answer 6

Angry with Odysseus because he blinded his son.

His son asked Poisiden to do whatever he could to prevent Odysseus from returning home.

Question 7

Antinous

Answer 7

A Suitor.

Argues with Telemachus about the suitors leaving.

Question 8

Eurymachus

Answer 8

A Suitor.

Asks Telemachus who his visitor was (Athene disguised as Mentes)

Question 9

Zeus

Answer 9

He destroyed Odysseus’ last ship which caused him to end up at Ogygia. He didn’t seem to either like or dislike Odysseus, he just did what Hyperion and Athena told him to.

Question 10

Hermes

Answer 10

A Messenger of the Gods.

He asked Calypso to release Odysseus (because the Gods told him to) and brought Odysseus moly (of his own accord).

Question 11

Ino

Answer 11

A Nymph who liked to help people. She gave Odysseus a veil to protect him.

Question 12

River God

Answer 12

Calms the streams to make it easier for Odysseus to get to Scherie.

Question 13

Nausicaa

Answer 13

Daughter of King Alcinous
She’s very brave and was the only one who didn’t run from Odysseus. She’s also very beautiful and Odysseus compares her to Artemis.

Question 14

Nausithous

Answer 14

Founder of new Settlement in Scherie (away from the Cyclopes)

Question 15

King Alcinous.

Answer 15

King of the Phaecians.

Question 16

Queen Arete.

Answer 16

Queen of the Phaecians.
Described as settling “affairs of even men” but in reality does not do much apart from set up Odysseus’ bed arrangements.

Question 17

Demodocus

Answer 17

Palace Bard, well respected. Makes Odysseus cry.

Curse of no sight, gift of the voice.

Question 18

Euryalus.

Answer 18

Phaecian Lord.

Insults Odysseus by saying he’s unsuitable to participate in the games and calling him a “merchant”.

Question 19

Cicones

Answer 19

The Achaeans invade them so all of the Cicones fight against them. They’re faithful and loyal. Overnight pillaging.

Question 20

Lotus Eaters

Answer 20

Addicted to a fruit and want others to have it too.

Odysseus had to force his men back to the ship, only hindered them for a few hours.

Question 21

Cyclops- Polyphemus

Answer 21

No respect for the Gods (even though his father is one of them).
Hindered Odysseus for a few days and took away some of his kleos. His Xenia contrasts with the Phaecians.

Question 22

Elpenor

Answer 22

Member of Odysseus’ crew who got drunk at Circe’s palace and died by falling off the roof.
They found out in book 11.

Question 23

Antiphates

Answer 23

The Laestrygonian chief.

Question 24

Laestrygonians

Answer 24

Cannibals and Giants.

Attacked all of Odysseus’ ships bar one.

Question 25

Eurylochus

Answer 25

Sub-leader of Odysseus’ crew. Didn’t want to enter Circe’s palace, thought it was a trap- more sensible than Odysseus, but with Hyperion Odysseus is more sensible than him.

Question 26

Aeolus

Answer 26

God of the Winds.
Gave Odysseus a bag of wind but his crew opened it, thinking it was treasure, which sent Odysseus straight back to Aeolia and Aeolus refused to help again.

Question 27

Circe

Answer 27

Sorceress.
Tried to turn Odysseus and his men into pigs but Odysseus tricked her into swearing an oath not to harm him. They stayed with her for a year.

Question 28

Sirens

Answer 28

Creatures that bring sailors to their death with their beautiful voices. Odysseus’ men covered their ears with wax and strapped Odysseus to the mast. Circe warned them about the Sirens.

Question 29

Scylla

Answer 29

A creature with 6 necks and 12 feet, Kills 6 people at once, no way to avoid it. Circe told Odysseus not to dight back.

Question 30

Charybdis

Answer 30

Whirlpool that brings ships to the bottom of ocean. When he was with his men, they avoided it but when he was getting to Ogygia he had was hindered.

Question 31

Hyperion

Answer 31

Sun God.

Very protective over cattle, he blackmails Zeus saying that if justice is not served he will go down to the underworld.

Question 32

Agamemnon

Answer 32

Killed by wife and wife’s lover. Warns Odysseus to be wary of home, which contrasts to Odysseus’ meeting with Anticleia. Thinks Penelope is more trustworthy than other women.

Question 33

Anticleia

Answer 33

Odysseus’ mother.

Died of a broken heart, possibly trying to make Odysseus feel guilty.

Question 34

Achilles

Answer 34

Has achieved glory and honour through his acomplishments in war, but still would rather be alive than dead. Example of someone who values glory less and less but still cares about son’s glory which shows that you can’t lose it completely.

Question 35

Teirisias

Answer 35

Blind Theban prophet. Warns Odysseus not to eat the cattle. Odysseus is destined to return home= questions how much free will people have.

Question 36

Laertes

Answer 36

Odysseus’ father.

Lives alone on a farm. Is not accepting Kingship of Ithaca and their oikos is extremely dysfunctional.