Definition

Proper noun 1. A legendary Greek hero: Odysseus is a central figure in Greek mythology, renowned for his intelligence, cunning, and leadership. He is the king of Ithaca and a key Greek commander during the Trojan War. 2. The protagonist of Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey: His long, arduous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, filled with adventures and obstacles, is the subject of this epic.

Usage Examples

• As a mythological figure:
  • Odysseus devised the plan of the Trojan Horse, which led to the fall of Troy.
  • The stories of Odysseus's encounters with Cyclops and sirens are famous.
• As a literary character:
  • Homer's Odyssey chronicles the ten-year voyage of Odysseus.
  • The character of Odysseus represents the archetype of the cunning and resilient wanderer.

Advanced Usage

• "Odyssean" (adjective): Pertaining to or characteristic of Odysseus or his long, adventurous journeys.
  • The explorer's Odyssean travels took him to the remotest corners of the earth.
• Used metaphorically to describe a long, complex, and adventurous journey or quest.
  • Recovering from the injury was an odyssey of pain and perseverance for the athlete.

Variants and Related Words

• Odyssey (noun): A long, eventful, and adventurous journey. Derived directly from the epic poem about Odysseus.
  • Writing his first novel was a personal odyssey.

Synonyms

• Ulysses: The Latinized name for Odysseus, commonly used in Roman mythology and later European literature.
• The Cunning Hero: A descriptive epithet often associated with him.
• The Man of Many Ways: A translation of a common Homeric epithet for Odysseus, highlighting his resourcefulness.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• An odyssey: Any long, wandering, and adventurous voyage, either literal or figurative.
  • Their cross-country road trip turned into a real odyssey.
• To have an Odyssean journey/task: To undertake a task that is extremely long, difficult, and filled with unforeseen challenges.
  • Getting the new legislation passed was an Odyssean task for the senator.

Noun

1. (Greek mythology) a famous mythical Greek hero; his return to Ithaca after the siege of Troy was described in the Odyssey