Book 11

The Odyssey

The Journey to the Underworld

• Reach the place where Circe had told them to go.

• Odysseus dug a pit the size of a cubit and begins to pour libations for the dead. –Mixture of honey, then sweet wine, then

water

• He then sprinkled white barley on it.

The Journey Continued

• Hey says his prayers and vows.• Then he killed the sheep and poured

their blood into the pit.– The souls of those who had died begin

to gather.

• They burn the sheep as a sacrifice to the gods.

• Odysseus has to prevent the souls from going near the blood.

Who Does He See?• First Elpenor speaks to him.– He asks them to go back and burry his

body along the way.

• He then sees his mother, but she does not speak to him.– He is sad because she was alive when

he left for war.

Finally Tiresias• Odysseus lets him drink the blood.• He tells Odysseus that his return will

not be easy and that Poseidon will not leave him alone.– Poseidon is mad because of the Cyclopes

incident.

Tiresias Continued• He says, they will still make it home

if they leave the Son God’s cattle alone.

– If not, their ship will be destroyed.

• However, even if Odysseus manages to survive this he will return late and lost all his companions and finding troubles in his house.

Tiresias Advice• He tells Odysseus that after he has

been home and gotten rid of the suitors he needs to journey until he meets men that do not know the sea.

• When a stranger tells him he has a winnowing fan on his shoulder, he is to sacrifice to Poseidon.– A ram, a bull, and a boar

Odysseus Speaks to His Mother.

• He lets her drink the blood.• She asks him why he is among the dead

and not at home.• He asks her about her death and the fate

of his family.– She tells him that she died missing him and

waiting for him.– His wife has not married.– His father remains alive but sick and waiting

for Odysseus

• He tries to embrace her, but can’t because she is only soul.

Persephone Sends Women

• A lot of wives and daughters come to talk to Odysseus.

• Some well known women– Alcmene–Megara– Epicaste-Mother of Oedipos

Back to the Present• Odysseus tells the

Phaeacians that he is tired and wants to go to bed.

• Alcinoos and Arte insist that he stay and rest one more day before going home.– Odysseus agrees to do whatever they

wish.

Odysseus Talks of More Souls

• Alcinoos compliments his story telling abilities-he compare them to that of a singer-and urges him to tell more.

• Odysseus speaks of seeing the soul of Agamemnon

A Talk With Agamemnon

• Odysseus asks Agamemnon how he died.– He tells Odysseus that Clytemnestra,

Aigisthos murdered him.

• He claims that she has brought shame to womankind and warns him against trusting women. – He also informs him that he has nothing to

worry about. Penelope is trustworthy.

• He asks about his son’s fate, but Odysseus does not know.

Odysseus Talks With Achilles

• Odysseus commends him for having great rule over the dead, as he had over the living in life.– Achilles tells him he would rather serve on

another man’s land than rule over the dead.

• He asks about his son and Peleus.– Odysseus tells him he has not heard about

Peleus– But tells of Neoptolemos’ great bravery and

successes.

A Not So Friendly Meeting With Ajax

• Odysseus speaks of seeing Ajax• However, Ajax will not talk to him.– He has not gotten over the fact that

Odysseus won Achilles' armor

Odysseus Sees Some Other People

• Minos– “Dealing justice to the dead”

• Orion– Driving the beasts he had slaughtered

• Tityos– Vultures picking at his liver

• Tantalos– Inability to obtain food and water

• Sisyphos– Pushing his stone

• Heracles– Appeared as a phantom– He bragged to Odysseus about his successes

They Leave• Many souls begin to approach• There is a loud shout• Odysseus fears that Persephone is

going to send the Gorgon head, so they leave.

The End