The Odyssey by Homer is an epic poem of Greek mythology, written in the 8th century BC. One of the most famous characters in the poem is Teiresias, the blind prophet of the underworld. This article will explore which excerpt from The Odyssey is being paraphrased when referring to Teiresias.

Book XI – Teiresais

The first reference to Teiresias in The Odyssey comes in Book XI. In this passage, Odysseus meets Teiresias in the underworld, and the blind prophet delivers a prophecy about the hero’s journey. Teiresias tells Odysseus that he will travel far and suffer many hardships before reaching his home. He then warns that Odysseus may eventually arrive home, but it will be as a “broken man – all shipmates slain.”

The Paraphrased Excerpt

The paraphrased excerpt is when Odysseus sees the ghost of his mother Anticlea and holds her off out of grief, until he recognizes the presence of Teiresias. This occurs in the same Book XI, where Teiresias is located. The excerpt reads as follows: “Seeing this ghost I grieved, but held her off, through pang on pang of tears, till I should know the presence of Teiresias.”

Conclusion

The excerpt from The Odyssey being paraphrased when referring to Teiresias is from Book XI, when Odysseus meets the blind prophet in the underworld. The exact passage reads “Seeing this ghost I grieved, but held her off, through pang on pang of tears, till I should know the presence of Teiresias.” The prophecy that Teiresias delivers serves as a warning for Odysseus, and his wisdom proves invaluable throughout the epic.