The ghost foretells Odysseus’s fate (Homer 164)”. “The other thing about his conversation with this ghost is that he learns about his fate and future. “The ghost reveals to Odysseus that Poseidon was busy punishing and killing the Achaeans (Homer 163)”.Īccording to the ghost, Poseidon was punishing them because they had blinded his own son by the name Polyphemus. I find the ghost one of my favorite because of the hope and information he gives Odysseus. “The second ghost to speak to is that of Tiresias, a prominent Theban prophet (Homer 163)”. “After the conversation, Odysseus would go back to the island and give the body a proper burial as requested by the ghost (Homer 162)”. He therefore learns the importance of a burial for someone who is deceased. “The ghost informs Odysseus that a decent burial was necessary as a sign of respect for those who had died (Homer 162)”. The ghost instructs Odysseus to ensure he goes back to the island of Circe and perform a proper burial for his body.įrom this encounter, Odysseus understands something new and important. “The first ghost to appear is Elpenor (Homer 157)”. The Ghosts of Elpenor, Tiresias and AnticleiaĪfter Odysseus travels to the famous River of Ocean, he performs several sacrifices and pours libations as instructed by Circe. Of the numerous ghosts in book 11, my favorite three include Elpenor, Tiresias and Anticleia. These ghosts explain to Odysseus about the past while other give his hope and way forward for his future.

Throughout the book, Odysseus speaks to numerous ghosts including that of his own mother, Anticleia. Most of these ghosts have an influence on Odysseus’s fate. In book 11, Odysseus speaks to numerous ghosts that give him revelations, advice and guidance. Homer’s Odyssey is one of the Greek epics.

Odysseus the book