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?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is Elpenor and where and how did he die?
Signup and view all the answers
The repeated refrain of 'Son of great Laertes' is which element of language?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Elpenor ask Odysseus to do for him?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is Anticlea?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is Odysseus so grieved to see her?
Signup and view all the answers
Summarize the prophecy Tiresias foretells to Odysseus in lines 85-97.
Signup and view all the answers
What does Odysseus' mother tell him?
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
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.