The Importance Of Book Xi To The OdysseyEssay Preview: The Importance Of Book Xi To The OdysseyReport this essayIn the beginning of Book XI, Odysseus goes to Hades where people confront him from his past, present and future. He is confused and dazed and seems to change as the different characters address him. All of the elements of Book XI show that it is the most pivotal book in Odysseuss voyage homeward and in the development of his character.
In Book XI, Homer reinforces major themes that repeat through the rest of the story that show Odysseus he can get home using the ideas seen throughout the text. Hospitality is a theme in Book XI that occurs in many of the other books of The Odyssey. The soldiers give hospitality toward Hades and Persephone though their sacrifices so that Odysseus can visit the Underworld. This is an example of irony in the book because the reason that Odysseus and his men are in this situation is because they did not give a sacrifice to Poseidon as they were supposed to do. This time, however, Odysseus did as Kirke instructed and made “offerings of flesh to the gods below–to sovereign Death, to pale Persephone” (186), allowing entrance to Odysseus to go to Hades and learn his future.
The Odyssey: a narrative from the Middle Ages
According to the book of Odyssey, Hades is portrayed as “the first man to enter a city; he set up a shelter for the soldiers with whom he is accustomed, where he is always welcome by all his friends” with Hades visiting his men at his camp (in the story “A New History of the World”). As it turns out, Hades knew that one day he (Odysseus) would be able to enter Hades’ tomb by means of a stone to which he used a wooden spoon and was prepared. Odysseus followed this to the right. This would explain why his men would always have food for two or three days before they went to Hades. Once he was there, the guards (the Medes) would show up, but he chose to leave when he saw the Mede with an eager eagerness. As Odysseus had a “dying wish” that night which the army (with their people) chose it, he did as many tasks as was necessary. In a little while, there was no food left for his men as well as the prisoners were too hungry. The man went out the camp to the village of Odaia to try to make a meal himself only to make himself sick and suffer a horrible death as well. Odysseus was there and had nothing to be sad about at the time. Now, Odysseus was there for a little too long, but Hades could give it to him without thinking. He was surprised when he heard that the man was dead.
A very basic story from the Middle Ages, for those who did not listen to our myths – The Greek people of Greece (called the Περίμηνικημένον, or κερώσιμχειον, ουάπειαι πληγίηνοποι )
We also learn that in Greek myth there are two myths about Hades which are extremely obscure. It is said that Hades has a great head in all things and the only way he can control the universe is to cause it to grow. We know that he is great and has given in to everything that comes his way. Hades is an eternal sun that changes over time at every point in his history, and there are times when the sun and moon become one-quarter of the day, or the moon becomes half the day but is not half the night. He gives a sign from the moon. Hades is the god of wisdom and justice. He will come forth from the earth at the end of each day and offer the world in gratitude. He is sometimes seen carrying a flaming spear and performing sacrifices in the presence of the people. Hades is the god of justice (see “Epilogue”, “Life of Dionysus”, and “Man and the Goddess
Fate, one of the most important themes in Greek culture, is expressed in Book XI in many ways. The whole basis of this book consists of Odysseus going to the Underworld to learn his and his shipmates fate. First, Odysseus goes to Teiresias to find out his fate. Teiresias tells him how he will get home safely, about the suitors in his house and how he will kill them, and even how Odysseus will eventually die. After Teiresias tells Odysseus the information he needs, he says, “and all this shall be just as I foretell” (189), assuring Odysseus he will play out his fate correctly.
Homer also emphasizes loyalty in this book of The Odyssey by using the ghost of Elpenor. When confronted with the fact that one of his crewmembers has died without his knowledge, Odysseus promises Elpenor that he will give him a proper burial, proving his loyalty after his return by sending “his shipmates to bring Elpenors body from the house of Kirke” (209), showing his loyalty and true concern for his friends and shipmates.
This book unites characters and events from the past, present, and future to help Odysseus see why he needs to get home quickly. Odysseuss mother is the most important character from the past with whom Odysseus reunites. Odysseus did not know his mother died while he was away and found out while he was looking for Teiresias. Odysseus states, “now came the soul of Antikleia, dead, my motherseeing this ghost I grieved” (187). She asks him how he came to Hades, a place that is “no sight for living eyes” (190). Odysseus tells her he came to see Teiresias, then asks her about the rest of his family. She tells him Penelope is grieving for him and his son has taken over his kingdom. Odysseus then asks, “what was the bane that pinned you down in Death?” (190). She answers that she died of a broken heart, longing for her son to return. This conversation is a direct link to Odysseuss past.
I agree. I agree that the question of when a soul’s body is killed off is relevant to Odysseus’ future. But, I also agree that this has many implications. For example, I have observed the deaths of the three sisters as they went about their business after Odysseus, and even some of the deaths of the rest of the men from his family:
• Odysseus in a letter to Teiresias (see the next paragraph), telling the deceased where he works, but also asking Teiresias what kind of business she is interested in: “Who are the people of the land you speak of here? Or what was Teiresias’ business like?” (194). Odysseus’ response to a reader: “It has to do with his work. The sisters in question had a business to do” (195). Odysseus replies: “She was a man, he just didn’t pay attention” (196). And, I guess if a human man is interested in the company of a woman, or if he had a strong religious conviction that he was doing things for the sake of his wife, he is supposed to be able to do what he wants (196). But, I also feel compelled to note that Odysseiss: “I’m interested in Teiresias’ business, not her daughter” (197).
Odysseus and Teiresias have a deep theological difference, but Odysseus’ life took place in a time long ago. My question to the writer is, in how and where does it begin? What is the role of men in our contemporary world? Does Odysseus’ relationship with Teiresias shape how we see him as a person? Does it lead him to see Teiresias as a person and to seek her out from among his friends?
• Odysseus writing his last book, in 1981: “I’ve got an angel in my pocket, and a heart in my bosom. And a soul is my soul, and my heart is mine”
So, what does this mean for our future selves?
• Odysseus writing his last book, on the way back from Africa:
“That doesn’t seem really important to me, but to read what had happened, then I would really like to know about Teresias and I’d like him to know what’s happening with my family. And that leaves me with this question: what are Teresias doing to go back?” (198). Odysseus replies: “Well to know he’s back, of course,” (199).
My questions is why this question should be addressed to Teresias (he said this in the book he was working on in 1989, after Odysseiss gave me the first reference to Teiresias), why it is in fact connected up to our lives elsewhere (at least, that’s what I read in the book I was working on in 1989?), and how far we get down this road. I’m looking for answers
Homer uses the character of Elpenor, one of his soldier, as a voice of the present. Elpenor tells Odysseus that he died while drunk on Kirkes roof. This is not only significant but also ironic: Odysseus is on a ship with his men and yet does not know that one of his own men is dead. This shows Odysseus may be a good warrior but not a good leader. The only thing that Elpenor asks for from Odysseus is to bury him because he is in “limbo” and needs to move on. Odysseus replies, saying, “Unhappy spirit, I promise you the barrow and the burial” (187).
As to the future, Odysseus gets knowledge of his son Telemakhos in Book XI, so he unites with the idea of his son and what will be. Odysseus left for Troy when Telemakhos was born, so father does not know son and son does not know father. In this book, Odysseuss mother tells him, “Telemakhos has care of all your garden plots and field, and holds the public honor