Characters
Telemakos
An indirect reference, especially in literature, to a person, place, or event that is well-known
Allusion
This character is confident, practical, clever, a master of disguises, and a great warrior, characteristics she finds reflected in Telemachus
Athena
The true exemplars of this theme are the Phaeacians who host Odysseus when he washes ashore near their town
Hospitality
To warn or indicate the coming of a future event
Foreshadow
A clear claim (thesis) is stated and backed up with evidence and logical reasoning
Logos
This characters most prominent qualities are passivity, loyalty, and patience
Penelope
Penelope, who waits faithfully for 20 years for her husband's return and when Telemachus stands by his father against the suitors
Loyalty
An adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing being mentioned
Epithet
Menelaos
A comparison of two things that is several lines in length. It is often used to intensify the heroic stature of the subject.
Epic Simile
This character mediates the disputes of the gods on Mount Olympus. They are occasionally depicted as weighing men's fates in his scales and he sometimes helps Odysseus
Zeus
On his voyage home, Odysseus must visit the Land of the Dead, evade the Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis and when he does arrive home, participate in a tricky reunion with his wife, Penelope.
Perseverance
The recurrence of similar sounds, especially consonants, in close proximity
Consonance
"The Great Tactician"
Odysseus
The use of the author’s credibility to appeal to the audience
Ethos
The king of Sparta and the husband of Helen. He led the Trojan War. He helped Telemakhos when he was visited by him.
Menelaus
This theme is at the core of the relationship between Athena and Odysseus. Athena is the maven of makeovers. Her most memorable illusions in The Odyssey are disguises for herself or Odysseus
Appearance vs. Reality
A very typical example of a certain person or thing
Archetype
"The Earthshaker"
Poseidon
A standard idea that occurs multiple times in a work→ points to a bigger theme
Motif
This character was a supernatural female creature, with 12 feet and six heads on long snaky necks, each head having a triple row of sharklike teeth, while her loins were girdled by the heads of baying dogs.
Scylla
When Odysseus blinds the Cyclops, Poseidon exacts revenge by raising storms in the sea and causing a delay in Odysseys homeward journey
Revenge/Vengeance
Vowel sounds that are repeated in words in close proximity
Assonance