Divine & Supernatural Beings in Homer’s Odyssey

POSEIDON Zeus’ brother—2 nd to him in power Zeus’ brother—2 nd to him in power God of the sea and earthquake God of the sea and earthquake His weapon is a trident His weapon is a trident Created the horse at the request of Demeter(goddess of corn and grain) to create the most beautiful animal—he was interested in her and she was trying to put him off Created the horse at the request of Demeter(goddess of corn and grain) to create the most beautiful animal—he was interested in her and she was trying to put him off

Greedy Quarrelsome personality Didn’t always get along with other gods & goddesses Odysseus’ main adversary throughout the Odyssey

ATHENA Virgin Goddess of wisdom, reason, arts, literature, agriculture and warfare Virgin Goddess of wisdom, reason, arts, literature, agriculture and warfare Odysseus’ main protector and advisor Odysseus’ main protector and advisor Referred to as “the grey-eyed goddess” Referred to as “the grey-eyed goddess” Had no mother—sprang from Zeus’ forehead in full armor Had no mother—sprang from Zeus’ forehead in full armor Invented the bridle, trumpet, flute, pot, rake, plow, ship, chariot…and several other things Invented the bridle, trumpet, flute, pot, rake, plow, ship, chariot…and several other things

Zeus’ favorite child—she was allowed to use his weapons (including the thunderbolt) Zeus’ favorite child—she was allowed to use his weapons (including the thunderbolt)

APOLLO God of music, archery, healing, light, and truth God of music, archery, healing, light, and truth His is referred to as Helios when functioning as the god of the sun—he harnesses his chariot with four horses and pulls the sun across the sky His is referred to as Helios when functioning as the god of the sun—he harnesses his chariot with four horses and pulls the sun across the sky Famous for his oracle at Delphi—many visited the oracle for prophecies and predictions Famous for his oracle at Delphi—many visited the oracle for prophecies and predictions Favored the Trojans during the Trojan War—he was their main protector and advisor Favored the Trojans during the Trojan War—he was their main protector and advisor

The Oracle at Delphi

HERMES Zeus’ messenger Zeus’ messenger Fastest of the gods Fastest of the gods Wears winged sandals, winged hat, and carries a magic wand Wears winged sandals, winged hat, and carries a magic wand Guide for the dead to go to the Underworld Guide for the dead to go to the Underworld

HEPHAESTUS God of fire and the forge The only god who is ugly—he is also lame Some stories state that Hera was so distraught at having an ugly child, that she flung him from Mount Olympus into the sea, breaking his legs

ZEUS God of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods God of the sky and ruler of the Olympian gods Overthrew his father, Cronus (a Titan) Overthrew his father, Cronus (a Titan) Drew lots with his brothers, Poseidon and Hades Drew lots with his brothers, Poseidon and Hades He won the draw He won the draw His weapon is the thunderbolt—he strikes those who displease him His weapon is the thunderbolt—he strikes those who displease him Married to Hera, but famous for many affairs Married to Hera, but famous for many affairs

Said to punish those who lie and break oaths Said to punish those who lie and break oaths Represented as the god of justice and mercy, the protector of the weak, and the punisher of the wicked Represented as the god of justice and mercy, the protector of the weak, and the punisher of the wicked

CIRCE Sorceress who lived on the island of Aeaea Sorceress who lived on the island of Aeaea Daughter of Helios Daughter of Helios Transformed those who offended her into animals Transformed those who offended her into animals Renowned for her knowledge of drugs and herbs Renowned for her knowledge of drugs and herbs

CALYPSO Nymph—daughter of one of the Titans Nymph—daughter of one of the Titans Holds Odysseus on her island for seven years Holds Odysseus on her island for seven years

CYCLOPES One-eyed giants One-eyed giants Not a race, only three are mentioned Not a race, only three are mentioned The most famous is Polyphemus, son of Poseidon The most famous is Polyphemus, son of Poseidon The first smiths— actually gave Zeus his weapons of thunder and lightning The first smiths— actually gave Zeus his weapons of thunder and lightning In the Odyssey, they are dairy farmers and shepherds In the Odyssey, they are dairy farmers and shepherds

SIRENS  half woman/half bird  Sing such sweet songs that listeners forget everything else and die of hunger—boats are destroyed when sailors land on the island  Skeletons litter the shore of their island  Men are desperate for home and are intoxicated by the song of the Sirens

SCYLLA Nymph Nymph A fisherman (Glaucus) fell madly in love with her A fisherman (Glaucus) fell madly in love with her She did not feel the same and fled to avoid him She did not feel the same and fled to avoid him In despair, he visits Circe to ask for a potion to win Scylla’s heart---Circe falls in love with him—he does not love Circe—the sorceress becomes furiously angry with Scylla In despair, he visits Circe to ask for a potion to win Scylla’s heart---Circe falls in love with him—he does not love Circe—the sorceress becomes furiously angry with Scylla

Circe mixed up a powerful poison & poured it into the pool where Scylla bathed Circe mixed up a powerful poison & poured it into the pool where Scylla bathed Transformed her into a hideous monster with 12 feet and 6 heads—each head had three rows of teeth Transformed her into a hideous monster with 12 feet and 6 heads—each head had three rows of teeth Below her waist was made up of ugly dogs and other monsters, which barked endlessly Below her waist was made up of ugly dogs and other monsters, which barked endlessly She stood there in misery, destroying everything in her reach She stood there in misery, destroying everything in her reach When a ship passed, each of her heads would seize one of the crew When a ship passed, each of her heads would seize one of the crew

CHARYBDIS Sea monster—daughter of Poseidon Sea monster—daughter of Poseidon Takes form of a monstrous mouth (whirlpool) that devours entire ships Takes form of a monstrous mouth (whirlpool) that devours entire ships She swallows huge amounts of water and then vomits it out three times a day, creating the deadly whirlpool She swallows huge amounts of water and then vomits it out three times a day, creating the deadly whirlpool She was originally a nymph—she stole Hercules’ cattle until Zeus finally punished her by throwing her into the sea She was originally a nymph—she stole Hercules’ cattle until Zeus finally punished her by throwing her into the sea

Scylla & Charybdis are located near a narrow strait—to avoid one means to confront the other The saying “to be between Scylla and Charbydis” means to have two bad choices to choose from (kind of like “between a rock and a hard place”—in fact, it may have been the beginning of this cliché)

LOTUS EATERS The lotus plant is an addictive narcotic The lotus plant is an addictive narcotic Causes those who eat it only want sleep and more lotus Causes those who eat it only want sleep and more lotus