- Odysseus - Odysseus is the wandering Trojan War hero famed for his wiles. He is a favorite of Athena and disliked by Poseidon.
- Telemachus - Son of Odysseus who was left as a baby when Odysseus went off 20 years earlier to fight in the Trojan War.
- Penelope - Faithful wife of Odysseus and mother of Telemachus.
- Iphitus - son of Eurytus, king of Oechalia. Iphitus and Odysseus exchange guest-gifts. Iphitus gives Odysseus the bow.
- Eurycleia - Faithful old servant who recognizes Odysseus from a scar on his leg.
- Eumaeus - Faithful swineherd of Odysseus.
- Philoetius - Faithful cowherd of Odysseus.
- Melanthius - Faithless goatherd of Odysseus.
- Leodes - One of the suitors, first to try the bow. A seer.
- Antinous - Worst of the suitors.
- Eurymachus - One of the leading suitors.
