Reading Notes: Homer's Odyssey, Part B

(Teiresius prophecies the future to Odysseus; source: Wikipedia)

The majority of this half of the reading consists of Odysseus's encounter with various ghosts he meets in his quest to hear Teiresias' prophecy.

Plot:

• Following Circe's instructions, Odysseus travels to the meeting of the rivers that will allow him to enter the underworld.
• Here, he sacrifices two sheep and performs a ritual in which he swears to perform more sacrifices upon reaching Ithaca. The ghosts appear and wish to drink the scarificial blood but Odysseus has to hold them back until he hears Teiresias' prophecy.
• The first ghost to approach Odysseus is that of his fallen comrade Elpenor. Elpenor begs Odysseus to bury his body when he returns to Circe's island of Aeaea. Odysseus sorrowfully agrees to this.
• Odysseus sees his mother Anticleia's ghost but is unable to speak to her until he hears from Teiresias.
• After drinking the sacrificial blood, Teiresias outlines a prophecy for Odysseus in which he affirms Poseidon's anger towards him. He goes on to say that Odysseus and his men shall go to the island of Thrinacia where they must exercise restraint. If they fail to do this, Odysseus will face shipwreck and will be forced to return home alone in another's ship to turmoil in his household. This is similar to what the cyclops Polyphemus bade his father Poseidon to do in revenge. Teiresias continues by saying that Odysseus must kill the suitors who wish for his wife's hand in marriage and go on to perform rituals and sacrifices. Should Odysseus do all this, he will die a peaceful death.
• Next, Odysseus speaks to his mother Anticleia who informs him that his wife lives in sorrow, his son continues to rule, and his father lives away from the palace in grief. She says she died of longing for Odysseus' return. Though Odysseus attempts to embrace his mother, he is unable to do so.
• Then Odysseus meets a number of famous women who were the wives and daughters of famous men. These women tell Odysseus of their lives and their loved ones and Odysseus listens to each patiently.
• Odysseus then encounters the ghost of Agamemnon who tells him of his death at the hands of his wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus. He warns Odysseus to be wary around women for they can no longer be trusted.
• The spirit of Achilles then approaches Odysseus and asks him of the fate of his son and father. Odysseus explains Achilles' son, Neoptolemus', bravery and strength in the battle against the Trojans. Achilles is overjoyed by the news of his son's legacy.
• The ghost of Ajax stands dejectedly by the side, unwilling to talk to Odysseus because Odysseus had slain him in the contest to win Achilles' weapons. Despite Odysseus expressing his regret and entreating Ajax to speak to him, Ajax leaves.
• Odysseus wanders around the underworld seeing different Titans being tortured but fearing for his life, returns to his crew and departs the underworld.

Characters:

• Elpenor - one of Odysseus' men, unaccomplished in battle, died a pathetic death, begs Odysseus for a proper burial
• Teiresius - famous Thebian prophet, favored by Persephone, retained prophetic powers in the underworld
• Anticleia - Odysseus' mother, devoted to her son, died longing for his return
• Agamemnon - betrayed by his wife, resentful towards and distrustful of women
• Clytemnestra - Agamemnon's wife, plotted his death with her lover Aegisthus, merciless
• Achilles - does not care for the underworld, wishes to be alive, cares about legacy
• Neoptolemus - Achilles' son, accomplished warrior
• Ajax - died at Odysseus' hands, resentful towards him even in death

Style:

• When using similes and metaphors, the word "so" is employed.
• The term "winged words" is often used to describe urgent, convincing speech.

Bibliography. Homer's Odyssey translated by Tony Kline (2004).