Book 11: Odyssey in the kingdom of the dead

Themes: Honor and Honoring the Dead; Life vs. Death; Horros of the Afterlife; The evil of Drink
Characters: Odysseus, Elpenor, Teiresias, Anticleia- his mother, Agamemnon, Achilles, Tityos, Tantalos, Sisyphos, and Heracules.

Summary:
Following Circe's directions Odyssey and his crew reach the river of Oceanos near the city of Cimmerian, whihc is wrapped in mist and clouds. There, Odysseus prepares the sacrifices that will draw the dead to him. Note: honey, milk, wine, water, and white barely meal and finally blood. It is the blood that gives the ghosts memory, all except Teirsesias who retains his memory from life.

One of the first ghosts Odysseus encounters is Elpenor. Elpenor is one of his crew who got drunk and fell off Circe's roof and broke his neck. He reinforces the evil of drink/ drugs motif but he has also been left unburied. He asks Odysseus to honor his body and bury him upon his return to Aiaia.

Teiresias steps forward, and tells Odysseus that he and his crew may reach home if they don't hurt the cattle and sheep of Helios (the sun god). Particularly, he sayd that Odysseus must "control" his men. If they do hurt the cattle and sheep, Odysseus will arrive home late in a stranger's boat and to a house full of suitors.

Anticleia, Odysseus's mother then tells Odysseus how she died- grief for her son. He tries to hug her but he cannot because she is a shade.

Long lines of women march through his sight, each with their share of grief, love, and misery.

Agamemnon comes and tells the story of his murder, his butchered or slaughter at the dinner table ( contrast with Euripdes), the shriek of Cassandra, and the shameful death. He asks about his son Orestes.

Achillies- in a very anti- heroic wiew of him mocks Odysseus and claims: " Don't bepraise death to me. I would rather be a plowman to a yeoman farmer on a small holding than lord Paramount of the kingdom of the Dead.

Ajax (Aias)- ignores Odysseus's pleads an forgiveness, kills himself because he killed a bunch of pigs. Second greatest warrior after Achillese. Fights Odysseus for Achillese armor

The horrors of Hades:
Tityos- who has two vultures tear out his liver and eat it again and again for all eternity.
Tantalos- who stands in a lake up to his chin and is always thirsty. When he tilts his head to drink the water drains away.
Sisyphos- who pushes a great rock up a hill and as soon as he gets it near the top the rock rolls back down and he starts over.
Hercules- who is surrounded by ghosts twittering and gibbering like birds. He has his bow forever cocked ready to shoot.