Odysseus’s experience in the underworld prepares him, both mentally and emotionally, for his return to Ithaca. Upon entering the house of Hades, he speaks with his newly fallen comrade, Elpenor, who makes reference to Odysseus’s lineage, Penelope, Telemachus, and their homeland, Ithaca. He claims to know that Odysseus will survive the house of the dead and suggests that the king will return to his country, giving him hope.
Next, Odysseus brings the sacrifice of a ram so that he may speak with the spirit of Teiresias, who prophesies,
“‘ye may reach home, though in evil plight, if thou wilt curb thine own spirit and that of thy comrades, as soon as thou shalt bring thy well-built ship to the island Thrinacia, escaping from the violet sea, and ye find grazing there the kine and goodly flocks of Helios, who over sees and overhears all things. If thou leavest these unharmed and heedest thy homeward way, verily ye may yet reach Ithaca, though in evil plight. But if thou harmest them, then I foresee ruin for thy ship and thy comrades, and even if thou shalt thyself escape, late shalt thou come home and in evil case, after losing all thy comrades, in a ship that is another's, and thou shalt find woes in thy house—proud men that devour thy livelihood, wooing thy godlike wife, and offering wooers' gifts. Yet verily on their violent deeds shalt thou take vengeance when thou comest.’”
Teiresias predicts that Odysseus will successfully reclaim his kingdom and live to be an old man. Although in the short term Odysseus fails to heed Elpenor’s advice, creating for himself the worst of these two possibilities, knowledge of the treacherous situation in Ithaca helps him to believe and accept Athena’s help once he returns home and must formulate a plan to oust the suitors.
Upon leaving, Odysseus is able to speak with the spirit of his mother, Anticleia, who took her own life out of grief over her belief that her son was dead. He inquires about the health of his father and son, and whether Penelope has taken another husband (even though he had commanded her to do so if he didn't return), because he longs to have his family back. Anticleia informs Odysseus, “‘Aye verily she abides with steadfast heart in thy halls, and ever sorrowfully for her do the nights and the days wane, as she weeps. But the fair honor that was thine no man yet possesses.’” But Telemachus is having a hard time finding his way without his father, and Odysseus’s aging father sleeps where the slaves sleep: “There he lies sorrowing, and nurses his great grief in his heart, in longing for thy return, and heavy old age has come upon him.’” Finally, she urges Odysseus to hurry home and reclaim his throne and Penelope. Armed with the information of what awaits him in Ithaca and with the confidence that his wife still loves him and that he will succeed, Odysseus sets off with renewed fervor for home.
https://www.theoi.com/Text/HomerOdyssey11.html
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
How did the house of the dead prepare odysseus return to ithaca? with quotes
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