Book XI · Episode 1 of 6
Descent and Tiresias
Odysseus performs rite, hears prophecy
Scenes
- Voyage and the Rite — Odysseus reaches Ocean, summons the dead
- Cimmerians dwell in unbroken night
- Perimedes and Eurylochus hold the sheep
- He digs a trench with his sword
- Pours libations of milk, honey, wine
- Vows a black ram for Tiresias alone
- Elpenor’s Plea — Elpenor begs burial, oar marker
- Unburied since dying in Circè’s halls
- Odysseus weeps seeing him arrive on foot
- Wine and an evil fate undo him
- He falls from Circè’s roof, breaks neck
- Begs to be burned with his armor
- Tiresias’s Prophecy — Tiresias warns of Poseidon, cattle, death
- Anticleia’s shade appears, but is held back
- Tiresias arrives bearing a golden wand
- Poseidon resents the blinding of his son
- Crew must leave Helios’ cattle unharmed
- Death comes gently, far from the sea
- The Blood-Rite Secret — Odysseus asks how his mother will know him
- Shades who drink blood speak the truth
- Forbidden shades withdraw in silence
- Tiresias departs for Hades’ realm
- His mother draws near once more
- She drinks and Odysseus knows her