Book 11

1. The Odyssey Book 11

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. Persephone Sends Women • A lot of wives and daughters come to talk to Odysseus. • Some well known women • Alcmene • Megara • Epicaste-Mother of Oedipos

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

14. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. The End