In The Odyssey

Topic 1: In The Odyssey, Odysseus has to travel to the Underworld (Book XI), and there he meets some people he knows from his life on earth. Based on some of his conversations and observations, what do you think of the Greek version of the afterlife? What values seem most important to the Greeks?

Reader Response #2 (452)

    The author’s use of blank literary devices helps convey the thoughts most Greeks have about the afterlife which are quite abstract as many of their thoughts are varied. 

The afterlife is presented as an event that could either be good or bad, almost a contrast of what is seen as a clear-cut description of the concept of “Good and Evil”.  The Odyssey creates a fantasy of what is viewed to be lovely and beautiful in the afterworld. As I mentioned earlier with the contrasts of concepts of the Greek afterlife, there are two separate places that the characters either end up. This also seems to be affected by whether that character is immortal, mortal, or even a God. Greek Mythology is very complex and there is not one answer or meaning to anything. Things that viewers could see as controversial like adultery, killing, and Incest are all condoned and rarely received negatively. There’s a dynamic between afterlife’s involving a Heaven where the majority of the God reside like “heaven” and Hades a place where lost souls of those who had many wrong-doings in life stay in “Hell”. The concept of afterlife is paying for what you dwelled upon in your lifetime. As Zeus speaks to Orestes, Agamemnon’s who slaughtered royal Aegisthus and addresses their actions and Aegisthus fate with condemnation. “It’s disgraceful how humans blame the gods.They say their tribulations come from us,

when they themselves, through their own foolishness,

bring hardships which are not decreed by Fate…Aegisthus knew his acts would bring about his total ruin. So he has paid for everything in full.”

(1.35-44.5)

As the description of hades is known to be very grim the impact is also evident. The sheer details that are talked about when discussing Hades evokes true fear in anyone. As the lord Teiresias went to Hades for his prophecy he encounters his mother which speaks of how dangerous the place is “For living men it’s

difficult to come and see these things—huge rivers, fearful streams, stand between us, first and foremost, Oceanus, which no man can cross on foot. (11.126-130.82) 

The depiction of such Hades is the afterlife that many people must encounter and with this entry the terrors of this place adds to the mysterious horror that’s hidden in afterlife beliefs.

As I read the story several things were a bit boring gust I also was able to connect with some of the lessons appearing to be taught. Once reading most of the books you notice that each chapter has a central point/ purpose and each story has an underlying mean that connects either to morals or the afterlife. Its fascinating  to see how closely related to concepts if afterlife tie into certain religion’s. Specifically directly tying into my personal life, I am a Christian and in the Bible the relations of Heaven and Hell are greatly talked upon. The depiction of Hades is so parallel to Hell, I wonder why they are so clearly related. I remember actually having an encounter when I was dreaming about heaven and how luxurious it was. The complex relatives that we experience in connection to the spiritual realm is always interesting.