The Adventures of Ulysses

Bernard Evslin

The Adventures of Ulysses

Bernard Evslin
77 pages2-hour read
Fiction
Novel
YA
Published in 1969

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

King of Ithaca and leader of a small fleet of three ships. Ulysses is a courageous warrior who blends tactical intelligence with immense physical agility. He deeply misses his family, a longing that drives his dangerous journey across hostile waters. His curiosity and pride occasionally place his crew in severe danger.

Key Relationships

Husband of Penelope

Father of Telemachus

Son of Anticleia

Target of Poseidon

Enemy of Polyphemus

Romantic interest of Circe

Romantic interest of Calypso

Commander of Eurylochus

Championed by Athene

The powerful and tempestuous god of the sea. Angered by a grievous injury dealt to his offspring, he utilizes his dominion over the oceans to relentlessly punish those who cross him. He sends storms and monsters to exact his revenge on mortal sailors.

Key Relationships

Father of Polyphemus

Enemy of Ulysses

Rival of Athene

A stunningly beautiful and immortal demigoddess who resides in a stone castle surrounded by tame wolves and lions. She possesses great magical abilities, often using drugged food to transform mortal men into animals for her amusement. She easily falls into romantic attachments with human visitors.

Key Relationships

Romantic interest of Ulysses

Captor of Eurylochus

A tall, blonde demigoddess of Titan descent who controls an idyllic island paradise. She lives outside the bounds of normal time and frequently takes shipwrecked mortals as husbands. She commands powerful magic capable of transforming men into animals when she grows tired of them.

Key Relationships

Romantic interest of Ulysses

Cousin of Hermes

The sixteen-year-old princess of Phaeacia. She is beautiful, strong-willed, and highly selective about her prospective suitors. She relies on divine guidance in her dreams to prepare for her transition to adulthood and royal responsibilities.

Key Relationships

Daughter of King Alcinous

Daughter of Queen Arete

Admirer of Ulysses

The clever and steadfast Queen of Ithaca. She faces the immense pressure of wealthy, aggressive suitors occupying her castle. She holds them off with a clever weaving trick, undoing her daily work every night to delay choosing a new husband.

Key Relationships

Wife of Ulysses

Mother of Telemachus

Pursued by Antinous

Pursued by Eurymachus

The crown prince of Ithaca. He has grown into a strong and honorable young man over the past twenty years. He attempts to protect his mother and their estate from the hostile suitors occupying their home, eventually seeking out information about his missing father.

Key Relationships

Son of Ulysses

Son of Penelope

Guided by Athene

Ally of Eumaeus

Supporting Characters

The largest and fiercest of the Cyclopes, a race of one-eyed giants. He is a brutal, cannibalistic creature who traps unwary sailors in his cave to devour them over a fire. His arrogance is matched only by his physical size.

Key Relationships

Son of Poseidon

Enemy of Ulysses

A boisterous, red-faced demigod tasked by the Olympians with managing the world's weather. He commands twelve children who take turns riding the atmospheric currents. He possesses a deep appreciation for epic war stories and uses his authority to grant magical assistance to entertaining guests.

Key Relationships

Host to Ulysses

Fearful of Poseidon

The greatest of the Greek warriors from the war, now residing in the underworld. He retains his pride in the afterlife and offers crucial strategic warnings to his former brothers-in-arms regarding dangerous sea witches.

Key Relationships

Former comrade of Ulysses

Fellow warrior of Ajax

A formidable Greek warrior who stood second only to the greatest fighters in martial prowess. Residing in the underworld, he harbors deep resentment over a past defeat regarding a contest for armor, using his spectral voice to taunt his old rivals.

Key Relationships

Rival of Ulysses

Fellow warrior of Achilles

The Olympian Goddess of Wisdom. She greatly admires tactical brilliance and actively champions her favored mortals, sometimes manipulating dreams or disguising herself as a human to provide direct assistance.

Key Relationships

Protector of Ulysses

Guide of Telemachus

Rival of Poseidon

A swift, high-ranking Olympian god. He takes an interest in mortal heroes and operates quietly against the wishes of other temperamental deities to deliver crucial advice and protective magical flowers.

Key Relationships

Helper of Ulysses

Cousin of Calypso

Superior to Circe

The loyal, aging swineherd of Ithaca. He maintains his duties and hospitality despite the chaotic occupation of the royal estate by hostile noblemen, offering shelter to wandering strangers.

Key Relationships

Servant to Ulysses

Ally of Telemachus

The practical and cautious first officer of the Ithacan fleet. He actively questions his commander's decisions when the men face starvation or magical threats, choosing survival over strict military obedience.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to Ulysses

Escaped from Circe

One of the most aggressive and physically intimidating noblemen pressing the Ithacan queen for marriage. He holds zero respect for the rules of hospitality and actively threatens anyone who challenges his comfortable position in the palace.

Key Relationships

Unwanted suitor of Penelope

Co-conspirator of Eurymachus

A leading figure among the hostile suitors occupying the Ithacan palace. He acts as a vocal strategist for the group, quick to justify their greed and dismiss any threats to their comfortable occupation.

Key Relationships

Unwanted suitor of Penelope

Co-conspirator of Antinous

The cautious ruler of Phaeacia. He balances the diplomatic need to marry off his daughter with his fear of divine prophecies regarding strangers who bring disaster to his kingdom.

Key Relationships

Husband of Queen Arete

Father of Nausicaa

Host to Ulysses

The wise and perceptive Queen of Phaeacia. She serves as a grounding influence on her husband, carefully observing strangers and enforcing the sacred laws of hospitality.

Key Relationships

Wife of King Alcinous

Mother of Nausicaa

Host to Ulysses

A green-haired water nymph who harbors a deep grudge against the sea god. She offers a magical veil to a drowning sailor to ensure his survival and thwart her divine enemy.

Key Relationships

Enemy of Poseidon

Savior of Ulysses

A prophet who resides in the underworld. He provides vital warnings about divine properties and future obstacles that must be carefully navigated to ensure safe passage across the sea.

Key Relationships

Advisor to Ulysses

The King of the Gods on Mount Olympus. He arbitrates disputes among the immortals and enforces divine justice, though he is susceptible to the demands of other deities regarding mortal infractions.

Key Relationships

Brother of Poseidon

Father of Athene