The Odyssey Book 11 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Where are Odysseus and his crew going?

To the land of the dead

Who directed them to go there?

Circe

What does Odysseus promise to do for the 'breathless dead' and Tiresias?

He will sacrifice his best cow for the breathless dead and his best looking black lamb for Tiresias.

Odysseus makes an allusion to Persephone. What does he expect his listeners to be familiar with?

The story of how Hades kidnapped Persephone. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Elpenor and where and how did he die?

He was one of Odysseus' men; he died at Circe's when he fell off a roof and broke his neck while drunk. Signup and view all the answers

The repeated refrain of 'Son of great Laertes' is which element of language?

Epithet Signup and view all the answers

What does Elpenor ask Odysseus to do for him?

That Odysseus give him a funeral when he gets back to Aeaea. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Anticlea?

Odysseus' mother Signup and view all the answers

Why is Odysseus so grieved to see her?

She was alive when he left Ithaca, but now she's dead. Signup and view all the answers

Summarize the prophecy Tiresias foretells to Odysseus in lines 85-97.

On Thrinacia, no one must do any harm to Helios' cattle, or all but Odysseus will die. Signup and view all the answers

What does Odysseus' mother tell him?

That his wife and son are still grieving for him, and she died of a broken heart. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Journey to the Underworld

Odysseus and his crew travel to the land of the dead, guided by Circe.

Sacrifices for the Dead

Odysseus vows to sacrifice his best cow for the "breathless dead" upon returning to Ithaca.
For the prophet Tiresias, he promises to sacrifice his best-looking black lamb.

Allusion to Persephone

Odysseus references Persephone's story, expecting his audience to know how she was taken by Hades to live in the Underworld for part of the year.

Elpenor's Fate

Elpenor, one of Odysseus' men, dies after falling off a roof while intoxicated at Circe's home.

Use of Epithet

The phrase "Son of great Laertes" serves as an epithet, a descriptive label for Odysseus.

Elpenor's Request

Elpenor asks Odysseus to ensure he receives a proper funeral upon his return to Aeaea.

Anticlea's Identity

Anticlea is Odysseus' mother, who died while he was away.

Grief Over Loss

Odysseus is heartbroken to see his mother, as she was alive during his departure from Ithaca.

Tiresias' Prophecy

Tiresias warns Odysseus to avoid harming Helios' cattle on Thrinacia; failure to heed this will lead to death for most of his crew and a long struggle at sea for him.
Upon returning home, he will face numerous challenges, including dealing with disrespectful suitors.

Mother's Message

Anticlea informs Odysseus that his wife and son are mourning his absence, his father has isolated himself in grief, and she died from a broken heart from missing him.

Description

Test your knowledge of The Odyssey, specifically Book 11, with these flashcards. This quiz focuses on key characters, events, and promises made by Odysseus as he journeys to the land of the dead. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of this classic work.