This is the darkest book of the Odyssey. Odysseus must speak to the dead.
The Odyssey · B1+
Book Eleven: The Land of the Dead
Had fallen, let, might, each time, told not to, as long as, so many, wish he were, among and the other: B1+ grammar for a journey to the edge of the world, where the dead speak.
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SOPHIA
PHILO
To the prophet Tiresias.
The story
After Homer’s Odyssey
At the edge of the world, Odysseus dug a pit and poured blood into it. So many ghosts came that he was afraid. Among them was Elpenor, a young sailor, who had fallen from Circe’s roof.
Each time a ghost came near, Odysseus drew his sword. He only let Tiresias drink first. “You might reach home,” said the prophet, “as long as your men don’t eat the cattle of the Sun.” He told them not to touch them.
Then Odysseus saw his mother. Three times he tried to hold her, and three times she disappeared. The ghost of Achilles said he wished he were alive again, even as a poor servant. One ghost stood apart from the other ghosts: Ajax, who never forgave him.
Had fallen; so many; among
DEMETRIA
Elpenor had fallen from the roof. So many ghosts came. Among them was Elpenor.
SOPHIA
Past perfect for earlier. so many + plural. among + three or more.
Let; told not to; might; as long as
PHILO
He let Tiresias drink. He told them not to touch the cattle. You might reach home, as long as you don’t eat them.
SOPHIA
let + person + verb. tell + person + not to. might = possible. as long as = only if.
Each time; wish + were; the other
MARCOS
Each time a ghost came, he drew his sword. Achilles wished he were alive. Ajax stood apart from the other ghosts.
SOPHIA
each time = every time. wish + were for an unreal present. the other = the remaining ones.
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| had + pp; so many; among | earlier past; quantity; in a group | Among them was Elpenor. |
| let + verb; tell + not to | permission; negative order | He told them not to touch it. |
| might; as long as | possibility; condition | You might reach home, as long as… |
| each time; wish + were; the other | repetition; unreal wish; remaining | He wished he were alive. |
Practice
Answer all the questions, then press “Check my answers”. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Choose
Choose the correct form.
1. Elpenor ___ from Circe’s roof.
2. He only ___ Tiresias drink first.
3. You ___ reach home. It’s possible.
4. He told them ___ touch the cattle.
5. ___ ghosts came that he was afraid.
6. Achilles wished he ___ alive.
B · Write
Write the missing word or words.
7. time a ghost came near, he drew his sword.
8. As long you don’t eat the cattle, you’ll get home.
9. the ghosts was his mother. (in the crowd)
10. Ajax stood away from the ghosts.
C · Right or wrong?
Is it correct?
11. “He told them to not eat it.”
12. “So many ghosts came.”
13. “He let them to drink.”
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