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What Does Tiresias Tell To Odysseus?

Updated 13 August, 2023
Answer:
In Book XI of The Odyssey, in the underworld, Tiresias describes to Odysseus a final journey he must take in order to 'have a gentle, painless death... with all his people there in blessed peace around him”.
Detailed answer:

From the Thebes visionary Tiresias, whose spirit was tormented by Hades, Odysseus learns about the causes of his misfortunes associated with the blinding of Polyphemus, the beloved son of the God of the seas Poseidon. But the reason for the trials is not only in the wrath of God, but also in the people themselves.
First, Tiresias says that Odysseus must walk inland with an oar until he gets to a place where people mistake it for a winnowing fan. Then, he must plant the oar and appease Poseidon with sacrifices. The scene where Tiresias instructs Odysseus is an important passage within the epic because it illustrates how Odysseus must transition from a warrior striving for glory to a caring husband, father, and ruler.
Then Tiresias warns that Odysseus himself and his companions should restrain their desires, not to carry out insane acts. The seer tells Odysseus about the island of Trinacria, where the sacred bulls of the sun God Helios graze, it is to him that the ships of Odysseus should approach. The way to Ithaca will be filled with dangers, but everyone will get to the homeland alive, if they do not raise their hands on the sacred animals of Helios, if not, then all the companions of the hero will die, and he will never have happiness and peace, even returning to the shores of the Motherland.
And the end of suffering will come only when Odysseus meets people who have never seen the sea and take the paddle that he will carry on his shoulder, for a shovel. Hecatombs in honor of Poseidon needs to reconcile a sovereign God with Odysseus, and then respect, wealth and peace he'll live to a ripe old age. After the prophecy of Tiresias, Odysseus says that he will take whatever assigned to him by the gods.

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