THE ODYSSEY BY HOMER NAME THE EPIC NOTES

“Sailing from Troy” pg. 1047

Alcinous- King of Phaecia

Cicones-army that fought on horseback, very powerful.

Odysseus tells the king his story. His men encounter the Cicones and are far outnumbered.

They go back to the ship but realized they lost a number of men.

“The Lotus Eaters” pg. 1048

The Lotus Eaters-live off the lotus plant- made the men very happy and content

Odysseus sends 2 men and a runner to check out the island. Runner does not return, so Odysseus checks it out and gets 3 men back.

He drags 3 men back to the ship and loses no men this trip.

“The Cyclops”

Pg. 1050

Polyphemus-one-eyed giant

Cyclops-race of one-eyed giants

Athena- goddess of wisdom, helps Odysseus

Poseidon- god of the sea

Odysseus and his men are trapped in a cave with Polyphemus. They escape by poking his eye out. Odysseus brags about escaping, so Polyphemus asks his father Poseidon to curse Odysseus’ journey home.

Poseidon carries out the curse, and Odysseus loses all his men on the long journey home.

“Island of Aeolia” pg. 1064

Aeolus- god of the winds

Odysseus is given a bag of winds. When close to Ithaca, his men open the bag.

The ship is blown off course.

“Land of the Laestrygonians”

pg. 1064

Laestrygonians-a race of cannibals

The cannibals eat a lot of men.

He loses more men and is left with one ship and crew.

“The Enchantress Circe” pg. 1064

Circe- a witch sorceress who lives on the island

Eurylochus- leads the men to the island

Hermes- the messenger god

The men are turned into swine except for Odysseus. Hermes gives him a protective herb, but they end up staying several years.

The men are released, but they must travel to the underworld to see Tiresias.

“The Land of the Dead” pg. 1064

Tiresias-the blind prophet who lives in the underworld

Odysseus seeks out Tiresias to make a sacrifice and get information.

Everything the prophet says happens.

“The Sirens”

Pg. 1071

Sirens- half bird/ half woman creature, they have beautiful voices

Circe tells him the Sirens will lure the ship to the rocks to crash. She tells him how to sail by them, how he can hear them and save his ship

They make it past the Sirens safely, and Odysseus does hear the Sirens sing.

“Scylla and Charybdis”

pg. 1073

Scylla- 6 headed monster

Charybdis- monster who swallows the sea and spit it out again (whirlpool)

He steers the ship past Scylla but avoids Charybdis.

He loses 6 men to Scylla. If he had sailed by Charybdis he would have lost all of his men.

“The Cattle of the Sun God”

pg. 1076

Helios-the god of the sun

Eurylochus- Odysseus’ man who talks the rest of the men into killing the cattle

Odysseus and his men are warned about killing the cattle but do so anyway.

All of the men die with the exception of Odysseus.

“Calypso’s Island” pg. 1082

Calypso- a sea goddess who loved Odysseus

Calypso takes Odysseus in on her island, and he stays for several years.

The gods make her release Odysseus. This is the last obstacle he faces before returning home.

“The Beggar”

pg. 1090

Athena- goddess of war and wisdom

Telemachus- Odysseus’ son

Eumaeus- loyal swineherd

Penelope- Odysseus’ wife

Athena disguises Odysseus as a beggar, so he can see who has been loyal to him.

Odysseus reveals himself only to Telemachus.

Odysseus and Telemachus are ready to face the suitors.

“Argus”

pg. 1096

Argus-Odysseus’ old dog

Argus recognizes Odysseus after 20 years even though he is disguised.

Argus dies after seeing Odysseus who has been gone 20 years.

“The Suitors”

pg. 1097

Antinous- leader of the suitors

Eurynome- Penelope’s housekeeper

The suitors mistreat the old beggar man, but Odysseus & Telemachus keep their cool

Odysseus and Telemachus are convinced and ready for revenge.

Penelope asks to see the beggar.

“Penelope”

pg. 1100

No new characters

Penelope questions the old beggar man. Odysseus learns Penelope has been loyal.

Penelope has tricked the suitors with her weaving for 3 years.

Odysseus learned Penelope has been faithful.

“The Challenge”

pg. 1103

Challenge- contest Penelope sets up to choose a husband.

Odysseus is the only man who can string the bow & shoot through 12 axe handles.

Odysseus wins the contest and is ready to take on the suitors.

“Odysseus’ Revenge”

pg. 11-7

Eurymachus- suitor who begs for mercy

Athena

Odysseus

Telemachus

Eumaeus-swineherd

Odysseus & Telemachus take on all suitors.

They kill all suitors.

“Penelope’s Test” pg. 1111

Eurycleia-Penelope’s nurse

Penelope tests Odysseus with the secret of the bed.

Odysseus knows the secret, and they are reunited.

“The Ending”

pg. 1114

Odysseus makes peace with the relatives of the suitors.

He lives happily ever after with Penelope.