Prologue: Odysseus is told by the goddess Circe to visit the Kingdom of Hades in order to learn

his fate from the Thebian prophet Teiresias. His visit to the land of the dead is important to the
epic’s plot because the scene foreshadows the dangers that Odysseus may encounter during
the remaining portion of his journey home. We also encounter two principal recurring
characters from The Iliad, Achilles and Agamemnon.

Preface: Odysseus and his comrades are desperate to return home after spending nearly a
year in the company of the goddess Circe. Before Odysseus and his companions depart, Circe
has some last minute wisdom for the ruler of Ithaca. In order to learn how to safely return home
and to prevent unnecessary misfortune, Odysseus must journey to the Kingdom of Hades and
seek the counsel of the dead prophet Teiresias. The scene opens as Odysseus and his men
land on the far edge of Oceanos, where Hades lies.

THE KINGDOM OF THE DEAD

Odysseus: Men, we’ve finally arrived in the land that fair Circe described to us. Now is the time
to bring ashore the sacrificial ram and ewe. I shall begin my offering here in the pit I’ve made
with my sword.

[Men leave cardboard ship and go to the “shore,” a beach made of birdseed and leftover rice,
dragging behind them the black ram and ewe, which are actually stuffed animals to reduce
cost.]

Odysseus: To all souls who have passed before me, I offer to you this sweet honey and milk
[pours milk and honey into pit] my finest wine, [pours down “wine,” or water with red food
coloring], and the sacred water with white barley meal [pours water and sprinkles popcorn
“barley” over the top with sweeping gesture].

[Odysseus gets down on his knees]

Odysseus: All souls of Hades, I solemnly swear that upon my safe return to Ithaca I shall
sacrifice my finest cow to you, along with many other fine things. In addition, the wise prophet
Teiresias, whom I now seek, will be offered the best black sheep that in my possession.

[Odysseus somberly slits the throats of the animals with a plastic sword and pours their “blood,”
ketchup, over the pit]
Odysseus: It should not be long until Pluto sends his legions to greet us. Hold fast to the bodies
of the sacrificed, for I shall guard the blood until the Theban Teirisias arrives. But what’s this? I
feel a deep sense of dread within the very core of my being; indeed, the dead cannot be far off.

[Suddenly, the spirits of the dead materialize before Odysseus as they pop out from behind
cardboard trees; they are pale and clothed in white sheets. The souls begin to move toward
him, led by the prophet Teiresias, who has a long, wispy grey beard and walks with a cane. His
eyes are either heavily glazed or simply closed, indicating his blindness.]

Teiresias: Ah, if it isn’t Odysseus, the champion of Troy! And with such a fine crew! What
brings you here to our distasteful resting place? For Zeus knows that we are always in want of
visitors! [Laughs bitterly.] No, let us be brief. Of course I know your motivation in coming here;
you want to know how you may return to rocky Ithaca. But first allow me my drink, for even
kings must pay the fair price for a prophecy.

[Teiresias crouches before the pit and drinks deeply of the “rams’ blood.” Satisfied, he slowly
grins before rising to his feet.]

Odysseus: What hast thou to tell me, ghostly prophet? What shall befall us before our return to
our beloved home?

Teiresias: Listen closely now, Odysseus son of Laertes. Lord Poseidon has heard the screams
of his Cyclopian son, that same Polyphemos whom you blinded to save your men. But do not
worry yet, for you may still escape the god’s rage to reach Ithaca. Be warned, however, that
your ship shall soon approach Thrinacia, the island where the sun god Helios keeps his fine
flocks. Take care that you and your men do not lay a finger upon these sheep; if you disregard
my advice, prepare to lose your entire crew. Even if you yourself manage to survive, your return
home will undoubtedly be long delayed.

Odysseus: So it shall be, great Teiresias. And what of my home? What has occurred since my
departure for Ilion?

Teiresias: It pains me to say that your house has been overrun by shameless suitors who,
thinking you dead, wish to take your wife’s hand. They have no regard for the immortal laws nor
for human manners; instead, they devour your food and insult your son. Do not fret, though, for
I promise that you shall defeat these pretenders, either through your wit or your courage in
battle.

Odysseus: But what of Poseidon? What may I do to beg the Earthshaker’s forgiveness?

Teiresias: Go far from the land of the Achaians until you reach a land that does not know noble
Zeus’ brother. There you may stand an oar in the ground and sacrifice a ram, a boar, and a bull
to the king of the sea. Only then will Death come upon you as a sweet dream in your old age.
But alas, my time runs short. Take care to heed my counsel, Odysseus. [Teiresias’ figure fades
into the darkness, or he may simply hide behind his cape and run out of the scene.]

Odysseus: Indeed, I must exhibit utmost caution, and my men as well. But look! [Odysseus
indicates a powder-covered female ghost standing apart from the others.] I know that woman to
be my mother! And next to her stand...can it be? Or does some god confuse my sight? Surely
they are the brave warrior Achilles as well as King Agamemnon, my commander of old! How
now, spirits? Do I dream?

Anticleia: No my love, it is I, but what misfortune Zeus has brought upon me! I waited the rest
of my days to behold your blessed face, and in such yearning I died of grief.

[Odysseus tries to embrace his mother’s ghost but is unsuccessful.]

Odysseus: Oh, Mother! What is preventing us from embracing after all this time? Please do not
say that you are simply a ghost that Persephoneia has sent to torture me.

Anticleia: No my dear child, Persephoneia is not playing a silly game with you. This is simply
what happens to mortals when they die. As soon as the spirit leaves one’s white bones, there is
nothing left to hold the flesh and blood together. The body is burned upon the funeral pyre, but
the soul simply slips away.

[All of a sudden a mob of “spirits,” or underpaid extras, surrounds Odysseus; he sees

Agamemnon on his knees with his arms stretched out towards him]

Odysseus: Agamemnon, king of men! What tragedy has brought you here? Was it the wrath of
Poseidon? Does he hold hatred in his heart for you as well?

Agamemnon: Odysseus Laertiades, it is was not by old Poseidon’s hand that I was sent here. In
fact, my demise was the fault of my wicked wife Clytemnestra and her scum of a lover Aigisthos.
After all of those long years fighting, my fellow men dying for their beloved land, I expected a
warm reception in my native land. However, I was simply invited into my home and
slaughtered at the dinner table. I CAN’T THINK OF ANYTHING MORE PITIABLE THAN SUCH
A DEATH!

Odysseus: It seems that all of the tragedy to befall your family spawned from the hands of
women. Think of how many men fell for Helen’s sake, just as you fell from the treachery of
Clytemnestra.

Agamemnon: Take this warning, noble Odysseus. Do not tell your wife of every thought that
enters your mind. However, I know that you will not suffer my fate, for Penelopeia is stout-
hearted and wise.

Odysseus: You have much reason, my lord. But carry on, for it is of no use to babble foolishly.
[Another ghost appears in the distance; it is that of Achilles, who is clad in a magnificent
aluminum foil breastplate.]

Achilles: Prince Odysseus, my friend, what has brought you here to this dreadful place?

Odysseus: Brave Achilles, I was sent by a goddess to ask Teiresias for advice on my journey
home, for I still have yet to see my beloved Ithaca. But as for you, my friend, please do not
grieve your departure from the land of the living, for you will be told of for ages to come, such a
hero as you were!

Achilles: Do not praise my death, Odysseus. I would rather live as a laborer than haunt Hades
as the phantom of a champion. Tell me though, have you heard anything about my son?

Odysseus: Ah, young Neoptolemos. He was always the first to speak up and never a coward in
battle for as long as we remained in Troy. Such a fine son would have made you a proud
father, my friend.

[Suddenly, countless “hosts of the dead” let out deafening cries.]

Odysseus: I feel it is time to go, for I fear that the awful Persephoneia might send a dreadful
monster to slaughter my crew and me. Let us set sail now, but I swear that I shall never be rid of
the terrors I have seen here in Hades’ halls. O Zeus, I pray that I may avoid this dark fate, that I
may once more lay eyes upon the shores of my rocky homeland!

[Odysseus and his men run behind the cardboard ship and let the sail fly with the wind from an
upright fan. A yoga CD supplies the squacks of seagulls.]

END SCENE