THE GODS AND CHARACTERS OF THE

ODYSSEY

Athena

Athena is the goddess of wisdom and war. In the epic, she was Odysseus' goddess protector, she assists Odysseus and his son Telemachus on numerous occasions.

in order to avoid a prophecy made that any offspring of his union with Metis would be greater than he, Zeus swallowed Metis to prevent her from having offspring, but she already was pregnant with Athena. Metis gave birth to Athena and nurtured her inside Zeus until Zeus complained of headaches and called for Hephaestus to split open his head with his smithing tools. Athena burst forth from his forehead fully armed with weapons given by her mother.

Known as the Virgin Athena

Poseidon

God of the seas. Poseidon holds a grudge against Odysseus for thinking he did not need help from the gods. What angers him more is Odysseus blinding his son, Polyphemus (the Cyclops). He makes Odysseus' journey home all the more difficult.

Poseidon was a son of Titans Cronus and Rhea. Like his brothers and sisters (except Zeus) he was swallowed by his father. He and his siblings were later regurgitated and overthrew the Titans. When the world was divided into three, Zeus received the Earth, Hades the underworld, and Poseidon the Sea.

Poseidon and Athena once battled for the love of Athens. Poseidon gifted them spring water; Athena gifted them an Olive Tree.

It is because Poseidon had intercourse with Medusa on the floor of the temple of Athena that Medusa was turned into a monster.

Zeus

King of all gods. He often punishes Odysseus for his or his mens wrong-doing, or helps him, like hiding him from Scylla's six heads.

He was the brother and “husband” of Hera. However, Zeus had MANY affairs with other women.

Was awarded the lightning bolt upon defeating the Titans.

Hades

The god of the Underworld

Husband of Persephone. He trapped her and brought her to the underworld. When Hades was made to finally release Persephone, he tricked her into eating pomegranate seeds, which forced her to return each year for a period of time.

Owns Cerberus, the 3-headed dog

Hermes

Hermes is the messenger of the gods. Hermes helped Odysseus twice in the Odyssey. He gave him the magical herb Moly to protect him form Circe's witchery, and he convinced Calypso to let him off of her island.

Inventor of the “FOOT RACE”

Helios

God of the sun. Odysseus' men upset him when they eat his cattle on his island.

Calypso

Calypso rescued Odysseus after his ship and crew were destroyed by the storm created by Zeus after Odysseus's crew killed Helios's sun cattle, even after a warning from Circe. She tended to his needs on her isolated island and made him her lover. In total, Calypso held Odysseus captive on her island for seven years and she hoped for him to stay there with her forever as her husband. Seeing as Calypso was a goddess, Odysseus could not argue or resist the goddess’ desires and it took the divine intervention of Zeus to ensure Odysseus passage onto his next destination

Circe

Circe, like Calypso, is also a goddess found in an isolated location, with her house among dense woodland. Circe is initially hostile to Odysseus and his men and attempts to turn them all to pigs with a potion slipped into the food she offers them, but with Hermes aid, Odysseus is able to enter her abode and pacify her. She returns all of Odysseus’ men to their natural state and offers them food and hospitality for an entire year.

Charybdis

Female monster who sucks in water 3 times a day to create a whirlpool.

Polyphemus (Cyclops)

Son of the sea-god Poseidon. A cyclops that is blinded by Odysseus.

Scylla

A female monster with 6 serpent heads, each having a triple row of fangs.

Sirens

Sea nymphs whose beautiful and mysterious music lures sailors to steer their ships towards dangerous rocks.

Other Important Information

Odysseus: Obviously important! The main character. It is his journey!

Penelope: Odysseus’ faithful wife

Telemachus: Odysseus’ son.

Teiresias: A blind prophet from the city of Thebes that Odysseus meets in the Land of the Dead

Lotus Plant: When eaten creates a hypnotic effect; the person forgets where they are going, what they are doing and become content and staying where they are and being idle.