Tools of Characterization

Epithets

To some extent, Homer tells us what we need to know by, well, just saying it. He beats us over the head with epithets like "clear-headed Telemachos," "wise Penelope," or "Odysseus, master mariner and soldier."

Names

Many characters’ names in the Odyssey convey important information about their personality or role. Most important of these, of course, is “Odysseus,” which the poem ties to the Greek word odussomai, which means "to suffer." This connection is made in Book IX, lines 407-409, in the scene where the young Odysseus receives his name from his grandfather, Autolykos. The irony is that, even though Autolykos makes it sound like the name refers to inflicting suffering on others, Odysseus spends much of the poem suffering himself. (Though he sure does inflict a lot of suffering on others too!) The Greeks often portray people as carrying out the will of fate without knowing it. (Just think of the story of Oedipus – or check out our Shmoop guide if you don’t know it.) Do you think Autolykos might have been guided by fate in giving Odysseus this name? If so, could be this be part of an argument for exonerating him from responsibility?

Another name that’s very important in the Odyssey isn’t a name at all – that is, “Nobody,” the name Odysseus gives to the Cyclops Polyphemos. That was a pretty cool trick, don’t you think? At least, that is, until Odysseus’s pride gets the better of him and he foolishly tells Polyphemos his real name, and brings down the wrath of Poseidon upon him. OK, but guess what: it’s even cooler if you know some tricky stuff that’s going on in the Greek. Now, most of this is going to be Greek to you, but just bear with us and we think you’ll see how awesome it is. The Greek word for “Nobody” is “outis” (pronounced OO-tiss). Now, it just so happens that there’s another form of this word (don’t worry about why) pronounced “metis” (MAY-tiss). So what? Well, it also just so happens that this word “metis” sounds just like a totally different word “metis” (MAY-tiss), which means “cleverness.” This second word “metis,” meaning “cleverness” is very often applied to Odysseus; sometimes he’s even called “polymetis,” which means something like “clever in many ways.”

Coincidence? Not likely. At the most basic level, this is sneaky because when Odysseus is saying that he’s “Nobody” – “outis” connected to the first “metis” – he’s using his “cleverness” – the second “metis.” Then, when he makes the boneheaded move of telling Polyphemos who he is, the stupidity is underlined by the fact that he’s no longer “outis”/“metis” and thus no longer acting with his full cleverness. But it actually goes further than that – in ways that you won’t have to know Greek to pick up on. Just think back on everything you’ve read in the poem. How often is Odysseus’s cleverness connected with him being nobody, or at least somebody other than himself? That’s right, a whole lot of times. Heck, the guy is constantly using his wits to put on various disguises, even pretending to be the lowliest beggar – a “nobody” in a different sense – to achieve his goals.

Among the other names that mean things in the Odyssey, you’ve got “Kalypso,” which is related to the Greek word “kalypto” meaning “to hide.” This makes sense because, well, Kalypso hides Odysseus on her island for seven years when nobody knows where he is. And the crazy name-games even apply to minor characters, such as “Antinoös,” which means “anti-mind,” a fitting name for 1) a stupid idiot like Antinoös and 2) a stupid idiot like Antinoös who is enemies with Odysseus, a guy known for cleverness. As for the name of “Phemios” the poet, it is connected to the Greek word “to say.” His name is also related to our word “fame” (you get “fame” if people talk about you, right?) even though “fame” comes to us more directly from Latin.

And the list goes on. Unfortunately, we can’t go into super detail about the meaning behind every name in the Odyssey, but it’s good to think about the one’s we’ve given here – especially the ones relating to Odysseus – because they can help you get a new perspective on the poem. The most important take-away, though, is that, in Homer’s poem, there’s more than meets the eye – and you’d be hard pressed to find something that isn’t there for a reason, even if you can’t tell what the reason is at first. Is this intimidating? It shouldn’t be. It just means that, when you’re reading and you notice something interesting, let your brain run with it. You might discover some totally amazing angle on the poem – one that nobody’s ever thought of before. (Unless that nobody’s Nobody, of course.)

Action

Action is the single most defining sign of a man’s character in the Odyssey: the suitors show their dishonor by gorging themselves on Odysseus’s food and wine without restraint. Odysseus perseveres in his repeated attempts to return home; Telemachos shows his piety by obeying Athene and going on a journey for news of his father; Penelope establishes her faithfulness and virtue by remaining loyal to her husband in his absence.

Sex and Love

This is more to do with women than men in the Odyssey, since virtue is a must for females and not so much for males. Compare three women: Penelope, Klytaimestra, and Aphrodite. The first is virtuous because she remains faithful; the second is treacherous because she doesn’t (she also murders her husband, which isn’t too nice); and the third is humiliated before the other gods for her own sexual impropriety.