The Odyssey books I-VI

CHARACTERS In Book I

ATHENA

The goddess of wisdom and war; takes pity on Odysseus and vouches for him.

TELEMACHUS

The King of the gods and god of thunder and lightning; heeds Athena's request to help Odysseus return to Ithaca.

The Son of Odysseus; Telemechus never knew his father, but was desperate to know if he was alive or not.

ZEUS

Odysseus's wife; was loyal to him even though she did not know if he was dead or alive.

PENELOPE

CULTURAL ASPECTS

Cultural aspects depicted in Book one include Xenia, or hospitality. The ancient Greeks beleived that their gods often came down to Earth, disguising themselves as human travellers and strangers. This led to the Ancient Greek custom of Xenia, where the members of a household provided a stranger and/or traveller hospitality and care, in beleifs that this stranger could be a god in disguise.

This ancient custom is seen when Athena takes human form, disguising herself as Mentes, and visits the house of Telemachus, where he tries to give her the best care he can, despite the uncomfortable presense of the wild-behaving suitors.

SettING

For the first half of Book one, the setting takes place on Mount Olympus, with Athena discussing the matter of Odysseus with Zeus. The second half of the Book occurs in the house of Telemachus in Ithaca, where Athena, disguised as Mentes, is given hospitality and care by Telemachus.

CharactERs IN BOOK II

ANTINOOS

One of Odysseus's old friends. As a prophet, he interprets the sign sent by Zeus, heralding the return of Odysseus.

The Father of Odysseus. He is never present in this chapter, but he plays a major role as Antinoos reveals that Penelope unraveled and reweaved a shroud she was making for him, using this as a method to delay the suitors from taking her hand in marrige.

HALITHERSES

One of the Suitors of Penelope; said to be the worst of them all.

LAERTES

CULTURAL ASPECTS

Antinoos, one of the suitors of Penelope, reveals that she has been delaying her choosing of a new husband. He says that she unravels a shroud she is making for Laertes during the day, and reweaves it at night. She lies to her suitors, saying she will choose her new husband once she is finished with Laertes's shroud.

In Ancient Greek times, women were expected to be loyal and submissive to their husbands. This is a good example of Penelope's loyalty to her family.

SETTING

The setting of Book II is still the Odyssey, but this time it occurs mostly in the Market-Place where the council was held. The Market-Place, or Agora, mentioned in the story is similar to modern day shopping malls. People would engage in trade and sell food, jewelry, furniture, etc. The Agora was also a gathering space for the people, as seen in Book II.

CHARACTERS IN BOOK III

Nestor

AIGISTHos

Agamemnon

The murderer of Agamemnon and the lover of his wife Clymtemnestra. Hates Agamemnon due to a fued between his father, Thyestes, and Agamemnon's father, Atreus.

Leader of the Greek army during the Trojan War; brother of King Menelaus. Was murdered by Aigisthos and Clymtemnestra upon his return from the war.

The elderly and wise King of Pylos. Nestor fought alongside Odysseus in the Trojan war.

Clymtemnestra

The wife of Agamemnon; cheats on him with Aigisthos, and helps Aigisthos kill her husband. Hates Agamemnon for sacrificing their daughter to Artemis.

The son of Nestor; accompanies Telemachus on his journey to Sparta.

PISISTRATUS

CULTURAL ASPECTS

In Book III, Xenia, or hospitality, is seen once more when Nestor offers Telemachus his hospitality. Another cultural aspect seen in Book III is oral tradition, which is seen when Nestor tells Telemachus the story of the Trojan War and Odysseus's role in it.

SETTING

Book III tsks place in the city of Pylos. It is described as a well-built city with a large harbor, surrounded with agriculture and rich soil, as well as flourishing livestock. Nestor's palace is described being well contructed, surrounded by orchards and gardens. Pylos is portrayed as peaceful and prosperous, with a strong sense of hospitality and community.

CHARACTERS IN BOOK IV

Menelaus

King of Sparta and close friend of Odysseus; played a major role in the Trojan War.

Helen

A shape-shifting sea god; also has the ability to foretell the future.

The wife of Menelaus and the acclaimed most beautiful woman in the world. She was one of the root causes for the Trojan War.

Eidothea

Proteus

The daughter of the shape-shifting god Proteus; helps Menelaus capture him.

CULTURAL ASPECTS

In Book IV, Xenia is portrayed wehn Menelaus and Helen take in Telemachus, giving him food and drink. Gender roles are also depicted in Book IV, as Menelaus and his fellow kings are described as eating, while thier wives weave.

SETTING

Book IV takes place in the city of Sparta.

CHARACTERS IN BOOK V

Odysseus

Calypso

Hermes

CULTURAL ASPECTS

SETTING

CHARACTERS IN BOOK VI

CULTURAL ASPECTS

SETTING