Monsters & Mythic Beings
The most beautiful goddess of all who held Odysseus captive for 7 years.
Who is Calypso?
The goddess of wisdom who acts as Odysseus' helper and protector throughout his journey.
Who is Athena?
Odysseus' faithful wife who waited for his return and delayed suitors for years by weaving.
Who is Penelope?
The fallen city from which Odysseus and his men set sail at the start of their epic ten-year journey home.
What is Troy?
The ancient Greek concept of hospitality and host-guest reciprocity.
What is Xenia?
The false name Odysseus gave to the Cyclops Polyphemus to deceive him.
What is "Nobody"?
This god of the sea holds a severe grudge against Odysseus for blinding his Cyclops son.
Who is Poseidon?
The son of Odysseus who travelled to Pylos and Sparta seeking news of his missing father.
Who is Telemachus?
Crew members who ate a native plant on this island forgot their homeland and lost all desire to return.
What is the Island of the Lotus-Eaters?
The ancient Greek poet credited with composing The Odyssey.
Who is Homer?
Odysseus tied himself to the mast of his ship to hear the seductive, lethal song of these creature without succumbing to them.
Who are the Sirens?
This messenger god gave Odysseus the holy herb moly to protect him from Circe's magic spells.
Who is Hermes?
The old, faithful swineherd who hosted Odysseus in disguise upon his return to Ithaca.
Who is Eumaeus?
Odysseus traveled to the Underworld to consult the spirit of this blind prophet.
Who is Tiresias?
The Greek word for glory that a hero achieves through grand deeds.
What is Kleos?
This one-eyed Cyclops trapped Odysseus and his men in his cave before being blinded by a sharpened stake.
Who is Polyphemus?
The sun god who demanded Zeus punish Odysseus' crew after they slaughtered and ate his sacred cattle on Thrinacia.
Who is Helios?
Odysseus disguised himself as one of these to inspect his palace and test the loyalty of his household without being recognized.
What is a beggar?
The island kingdom of the Phaeacians, where Odysseus was washed ashore and recounted his entire tale to King Alcinous.
What is Phaeacia?
Excessive pride or dangerous arrogance shown by characters—like Odysseus shouting his real name to Polyphemus.
What is hubris?
Sailors faced a deadly choice between this six-headed monster and a whirlpool.
What are Scylla and Charybdis?
Odysseus spent seven years trapped on the island of Ogygia as the captive lover of this nymph.
Who is Calypso?
Only Odysseus had the strength to string and bend this weapon, which Penelope used to test the suitors.
What is his great bow?
The keeper of the winds who gifted Odysseus a leather bag containing all the stormy winds to ensure safe sailing.
Who is Aeolus?
The ancient Greek term for a story of a hero's homecoming or return journey by sea, like in The Odyssey.
What is Nostos?