Cyclops
This is the one-eyed giant who traps Odysseus and his men in a cave.
Who is Polyphemus?
She is the goddess who guides Telemachus and Odysseus, often appearing in disguise to offer wisdom.
Who is Athena?
This island is where Telemachus and Penelope live while Odysseus is away at war.
What is Ithaca?
This is the sequence of events in a story, often including exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution.
What is plot?
This type of conflict happens when a character struggles against his or her own feelings, decisions, or doubts.
What is internal conflict?
These creatures tempted Odysseus’s men with food that made them forget home.
Who are the Lotus-Eaters?
This god of the sea is angered when Odysseus blinds his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus.
Who is Poseidon?
Odysseus tells the story of his adventures while staying with this king on the island of Scheria.
Who is King Alcinous?
This is the main character in a story, who usually faces the central conflict. You generally want to see them succeed.
Who is the Protagonist?
This type of conflict happens when two characters oppose each other.
What is character vs. character?
Odysseus tricks Polyphemus by telling him this false name.
What is “Nobody”?
This god, the king of the gods, is said to control the weather and uphold the laws of hospitality.
Who is Zeus?
In Book 12, Odysseus must pass between two deadly dangers: a six-headed monster and a whirlpool.
What are Scylla and Charybdis?
This is the event that sets The Odyssey in motion and explains why Odysseus hasn’t returned home yet.
What is the Trojan War?
This is the term for a struggle between a character and outside forces, such as nature or society.
What is external conflict?
Odysseus and his men escape Polyphemus’s cave by clinging to these animals.
What are sheep?
These are the goddesses whose enchanting songs lure sailors to their deaths in Book 12.
Who are Sirens?
After his crew was drowned and Charybdis's whirlpool destroyed his ship, Odysseus ended up here for 7 years.
What is Ogygia/Calypso's Island?
This loyal son journeys to seek news of his father and protect his home from the suitors.
Who is Telemachus?
This type of conflict happens when a character struggles against traditions, laws, or expectations.
What is character vs. society?
After Odysseus blinds him, Polyphemus prays to this god—his father—for revenge.
Who is Poseidon?
This goddess gives Odysseus advice on how to survive Scylla and Charybdis, but warns him not to fight Scylla.
Who is Circe?
This island belongs to the sun god, where Odysseus’s men eat the sacred cattle despite being warned not to.
What is Thrinacia?
This element of a story includes not only time and place, but also social conditions and atmosphere.
What is setting?
This type of conflict is shown when a character faces a natural disaster, wild animal, or harsh environment.
What is character vs. nature?