Books 1-2
This term refers to the storytellers whose songs open Book 1 and frame the tale of Odysseus.
What are Muses?
This king of the Phaeacians listens to Odysseus’ story and later helps him return to Ithaca.
Who is Alcinous?
This goddess initially transforms Odysseus’ men into pigs before eventually helping him.
Who is Circe?
This goddess pleads with Zeus to allow Odysseus to return home.
Who is Athena?
This god of the sea is angered by Odysseus’ actions and hinders his journey home.
Who is Poseidon?
These men have taken over Odysseus’ household, consuming his wealth and courting Penelope.
Who are the suitors?
This goddess urges Telemachus to seek news of his father in Books 1-2.
Who is Athena?
Odysseus blinds this Cyclops, the son of Poseidon, to escape his cave.
Who is Polyphemus?
Despite warnings, Odysseus’ crew slaughters these sacred animals, angering the sun god Helios.
What are the Cattle of the Sun (or Helios’ cattle)?
Odysseus has been stranded on this island for seven years.
What is Ogygia?
The assembly of the gods debates Odysseus’ fate on Mount Olympus, and this god speaks in favor of him.
Who is Zeus?
Telemachus holds an assembly in Ithaca to challenge the suitors, but they respond with this.
What is mockery or defiance?
This group of men overrun Odysseus' home, consuming his wealth and courting Penelope.
Circe warns Odysseus to avoid this group of creatures whose singing lures sailors to their deaths.
Who are the Sirens?
Odysseus cleverly tells the Cyclops that his name is this, tricking him during their encounter.
Who is Nobody?
Odysseus’ son, barely grown, seeks to stop the suitors who have overrun his home.
Who is Telemachus?
Athena travels with Telemachus to this king’s court in search of news about his father.
Who is Nestor, king of Pylos?
This wise queen uses cunning to delay choosing a suitor, promising to weave a shroud for Laertes.
Who is Penelope?
This king of Pylos gives Telemachus his first major information about Odysseus.
Who is Nestor?
Odysseus travels to the Underworld to consult this blind prophet about his journey home.
Who is Tiresias?
On Aeaea, Odysseus stays with Circe for this length of time before resuming his journey.
What is one year?
This king of Ithaca is absent while suitors court his wife and eat his wealth.
Who is Odysseus?
From Nestor, Telemachus learns about this hero’s role in the Trojan War and his uncertain fate afterward.
Who is Menelaus?
Penelope’s clever trick to postpone remarriage involves this daily activity.
What is weaving (unweaving a shroud)?
This Spartan king tells Telemachus about Odysseus; cunning at Troy.
Who is Menelaus?
Odysseus must sail between these two deadly hazards: a six-headed monster and a whirlpool.
What are Scylla and Charybdis?
Before facing Scylla and Charybdis, Odysseus is instructed to navigate close to this monster to minimize losses.
Who is Scylla?
Athena disguises herself as this man to advise Telemachus at the start of his journey.
Who is Mentes?
This sea goddess keeps Odysseus on her island, offering him immortality, which he resists.
Who is Calypso?
This herald and loyal servant of Odysseus remains faithful despite the suitors’ disrespect.
Who is Eurycleia?