Teiresias gives Odysseus a great deal of helpful information. He explains that "a god will make" the journey home very hard for him; Teiresias says that Poseidon is still very angry with Odysseus because Odysseus blinded his son, the Cyclops. He continues with additional information, saying that Odysseus must keep his men from eating the cattle that belong to the sun god, Helios, on the island of Thrinacia. If he can manage this, Teiresias says, "you all may still reach Ithaca . . . but harm them in any way, and I can see it now: / your ship destroyed, your men destroyed as well." If the men harm these cattle, then there is no possible way they will make it home. Further, Teiresias tells Odysseus what will happen to him when he gets home: he will find "arrogant men" eating up all his food and wooing his wife, Penelope. He will kill them all and then, eventually, after many years, his own death will be "gentle [and] painless." Odysseus will die as a very old man, surrounded by all the people that he loves.
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