Odyssey book 11 Flashcards
Communication with the Dead
Who is talking to who:
Odysseus communicates with various ghosts in the land of the dead, including Elpenor, Anticleia, Tiresias, and Agamemnon.
Significance of Interaction:
Elpenor requests proper burial rites, Anticleia’s presence reveals the tragic consequences of Odysseus’s absence, Tiresias provides a prophecy, and Agamemnon warns Odysseus about concealing certain information from his wife.
Significance to Plot/Theme:
Illustrates the importance of piety and customs even in the afterlife, explores the themes of memory, grief, fate, and divine justice.
Tiresias’s Prophecy
Who is talking to who:
Tiresias conveys a prophecy to Odysseus.
Significance of Interaction:
Tiresias reveals the consequences of angering Poseidon and the conditions for Odysseus’s safe return.
Significance to Plot/Theme:
Raises questions about fate, divine justice, and the interplay between gods and mortals in determining outcomes.
Encounter with Agamemnon
Who is talking to who:
Odysseus converses with the ghost of Agamemnon.
Significance of Interaction:
Agamemnon recounts his murder and advises Odysseus on secrecy and trust in marital relations.
Significance to Plot/Theme:
Emphasizes the theme of cunning, the consequences of infidelity, and the challenges of returning home.
Conversation with Achilles
Who is talking to who:
Odysseus talks to the ghost of Achilles.
Significance of Interaction:
Achilles expresses a preference for life over the glory of the afterlife, and he finds joy in hearing about his son’s achievements.
Significance to Plot/Theme:
Reflects the changing values of the dead, highlighting Achilles’ shift from valuing glory above all to cherishing familial connections.
Shift in Odysseus’s Values
Who is talking to who:
Narration of Odysseus’s evolving values.
Significance of Interaction:
Odysseus’s conversations with the dead contribute to a shift in his central values from glory to honor, family, and the desire for home.
Significance to Plot/Theme:
Marks a turning point in Odysseus’s character development, revealing his growing prioritization of familial ties over personal glory.
Return to the Ship
Who is talking to who:
Odysseus communicates with various shades, and the crew prepares to depart.
Significance of Interaction:
Shades surround Odysseus, creating a sense of fear, and he retreats to the ship, signifying the end of the encounter with the dead.
Significance to Plot/Theme:
Conveys the challenges of dealing with the dead, emphasizes the themes of fear, caution, and the supernatural in Odysseus’s journey.
