Themes+and+Values11

Punishment: Odysseus sees people who are being punished in death for things they did in life, like Tantalos and Sisyphos. Tantalos sits among water and trees bearing fruit, but cannot eat the fruit or drink the water. Sisyphos struggles eternally to push a boulder over a hill. (pages 204 and 205) Death: Death is present throughout book 11. The entire chapter is based on Odysseus telling of talking to dead people. He talks to his mother, an unburied crewmember, and Agamemnon, all of which are dead. Respect: We are shown that Odysseus respects the dead when he promises sacrifices for the dead (page 186). He also respects the wishes of the king when he asks Odysseus to keep on telling stories intead of sleeping (page 197).
 * Themes**:

Family: Family is very important to Odysseus. He talks to his dead mother at length, especially about their family. She tells him that his wife is still loyal to him and that his son has taken the place of Odysseus. They also talk of Odysseus' father and her death. (pages 190 and 191) Respect for the dead: Respecting the dead is shown to be important in book 11. Odysseus pours libations and offers sacrifices for the dead. He is also very polite to all of the spirits that appear before him.
 * Values:**