Tuesday, April 21, 2015

What have Teiresias and Circe told Odysseus about Helios's cattle?

When Odysseus travels to the Underworld to seek the council of the prophet, Teiresias, the deceased seer warns him about the island of Thrinacia, a land sacred to the sun god, Helios.  Helios's sacred cattle lived there, tended by three goddesses.  He says that if Odysseus and his men can leave the cattle alone, they might make it home safely, though there will be hardship.  However, if Odysseus or his men harm the cattle, he...

When Odysseus travels to the Underworld to seek the council of the prophet, Teiresias, the deceased seer warns him about the island of Thrinacia, a land sacred to the sun god, Helios.  Helios's sacred cattle lived there, tended by three goddesses.  He says that if Odysseus and his men can leave the cattle alone, they might make it home safely, though there will be hardship.  However, if Odysseus or his men harm the cattle, he will lose his ship and his crew, and if Odysseus escapes with his life, he will only make it home after a long while and with help from strangers.  


After Odysseus returns to Circe's home, she tells him essentially the same thing: if they leave the cattle alone, there's a chance they'll make it home, but it will be difficult.  If they harm the cattle, everyone will die including, perhaps, Odysseus, and if he does make it home, it will take a long time and he will require help from strangers.

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