From Argos to Odysseus: Meet the characters of 'The Odyssey'
MANILA, Philippines — Arguably the biggest movie of the year so far is Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" based on the epic poem of the same name by Homer.
Both versions tell the story of Odysseus, hero of the Trojan War as he tries to make his way back home to Ithaca where his wife Penelope and son Telemachus are waiting.
Like any tale in Greek mythology, there are numerous characters at play throughout Odysseus' adventures, so here is a rundown of the names that feature in one of Western culture's most famous stories.
Odysseus (Matt Damon)
The King of Ithaca is the protagonist of "The Odyssey," having masterminded the Trojan Horse that deceived the people of Troy to allow the Greeks enter the city's walls, ending a 10-year war.
He is a capable warrior but is more renowned for his strategy and cunning intelligence, hence he is favored by the goddess Athena.
Penelope (Anne Hathaway)
The loyal wife of Odysseus ruled Ithaca while her husband is away, fending off suitors trying to seek her hand in marriage.
She tries delaying having to choose a suitor by weaving and undoing a burial shroud for Odysseus' father, Laertes, until she is caught.
Penelope also challenges the suitors with stringing her husband's bow and shoot an arrow through 12 axe heads — a feat only Odysseus could manage — and tests the return of the king by suggesting to move their marriage bed (which the disguised hero passes).
Telemachus (Tom Holland)
The son of Odysseus and Penelope never met his father as the King of Ithaca left for the Trojan War when he was just an infant.
He spent his youth trying to learn about his father, even meeting with the Spartan king Menelaus who fought with Odysseus, who at the time, was stranded on Ogygia with the nymph Calypso.
Telemachus aids his father, disguised as a beggar, by hiding the weapons of Penelope's suitors and killing them all after Odysseus passes his wife's task.
Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra (Lupita Nyong'o)
The most beautiful woman in the world and the face that launched a thousand ships that triggered the Trojan War, Helen is the wife of Menelaus later carried off by the Trojan prince Paris.
Clytemnestra is Helen's sister — depicted in the film as twins — married to Menelaus' brother Agamemnon, the king of Mycanae who led the Greeks against Troy.
Helen returns to Sparta with Menelaus after the war while Clytemnestra murders Agamemnon upon his return from the war.
Agamemnon (Benny Safdie)
The king of Mycanae who led the Greeks in the Trojan War who survives the war but is killed by his vengeful wife Clytemnestra.
Agamemnon appears as a shade in the Underworld to advise Odysseus to be wary of women during his journey.
Antinous (Robert Pattinson)
Over a hundred men tried to woo Penelope, Antinuous being a primary suitor alongside Eurymachus and Amphinomus.
He tries to spring a trap to have Telemachus abducted and slain but is thwarted by Athena.
Eumaeus (John Leguizamo)
A blind swineherd and the most loyal servant of Odysseus who aids the King of Ithaca after his long return.
Mentor (Ryan Hurst)
A swordsman who guides and trains Telemachus after Odysseus leaves for the Trojan War.
Menelaus (Jon Bernthal)
King of Mycanae, husband of Helen of Troy, was among the Greeks inside the Trojan Horse to start the city's sacking, and a survivor of the war.
Eurylochus (Himesh Patel)
The second-in-command of Odysseus who is often at odds with the King of Ithaca. Eurylochus perishes in a storm by Zeus as punishment for killing and eating the cattle of Helios.
Sinon (Elliot Page)
A Greek warrior who convinces the Trojans to accept a giant wooden horse as a gift to the gods, when in fact several Greeks are hiding inside.
Calypso (Charlize Theron)
A nymph who persuades Odysseus to stay with her on the island of Ogygia as her immortal husband for seven years until the gods intervene.
Circe (Samantha Morton)
A witch on the island of Aeanea who transforms Odysseus' men into pigs, a skill she has done for other men and animals. Odysseus spent a year on Aeanea with Circe before continuing his journey.
Tiresias (James Remar)
A blind prophet in the Underworld who gives advice to Odysseus, including a warning not to slay and eat the cattle of Helios.
Polyphemus (Bill Irwin)
A sheep-herding Cyclops who traps and eats some of Odysseus' men in a cave. The soldiers escape by blinding him with a burnt stake and Odysseus introduces himself as "Nobody."
In an act of hubris, Odysseus reveals his true name leading to Polyphemus asking his father Poseidon to disrupt the hero's journey home.
Athena (Zendaya)
The Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare who accompanies and protects her champion, Odysseus. Zendaya also portrays a Trojan priestess of Athena killed during the sacking of Troy, a memory that haunts Odysseus after the war.
Melantho and Melanthius (Mia Goth and Logan Marshall-Green)
Disloyal twin servants of Penelope and Odysseus.
Polybus and Amphimedon (Corey Hawkins and Iddo Goldberg)
Two of the many suitors of Penelope later killed by Odysseus and Telemachus.
Eurycleia (Kate Fuglei)
A loyal handmaiden of Penelope and Odysseus' wetnurse who recognizes the King of Ithaca upon his return home despite his disguise as a beggar.
The Bard (Travis Scott)
An Ithacha storyteller who tells of Odysseus' heroics in the Trojan War.
Argos (Sawyer and Nod)
Odysseus' hunting dog who is neglected after the King of Ithaca leaves for the Trojan War, only dying after realizing his master has finally returned home.
Odysseus' crew
- Will Yun Lee - Anchialus
- Jimmy Gonzales - Cepheus
- Andrew Howard - Polites
- Jovan Adepo - Elpenor
- Jesse Garcia - Menetus
- Josh Stewart - Antiphates
- Sean Avery - Laodamas
- Anthony Molinari - Perimedes
- Stephen Murphy - Phemius
- Ian Casselberry - Dolios
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