books 11-15

Question one
In book 11 Odysseus's descents into hades.  I interpreted this descent metaphorically as a real descent into Odysseus's past as well in a way a descent into after life.  I say this because as he travels into hades he is forced to make sacrifices which will then force him to speak to the spirits of the dead.  These people are crewman, gods, and even family members of Odysseus.  These spirits tell him there stories of how they passed and they also ask about there own family members who are still living.  For example Odysseus's mother returns to tell Odysseus about his kingdom and why she passed away.  She said she could not stay alive anymore because of her illness and wait for him to return to the land.  Odysseus is overwhelmed by all this contact with the dead.  I think it makes him relive some things that he does not want to remember like the war in Troy.  When Odysseus arrives at Hades he speaks to his mother.  He speaks to her because  she wants to know what has happened to her kingdom.  She is curious to know who has taken it over since Odysseus has left.  She also wants to find out more about his wife and son.  I also think they spoke because he felt some sort of incompleteness.  He missed her.
Question 4
Eumaeus in a way represents Odysseus's friend.  I say this because as soon as Odysseus arrrives he is greeted with hospitatlity.  Meaning he is offered food and a nice warm place to stay.  Eumaeus asks Odysseus questions that would distinguish a friendship, but Odysseus refuses to tell the truth and lies about who he actually is.  He is pretending to be someone else and tells Eumaeus that he has already ventured back home.  It doesn't make sense to me why he wouldn't tell the truth.  Maybe because he didn't want Eumaeus to make a big deal about it or maybe just didn't want the attention on him.  The reason for the move from the seashore to the hut was because that was where the pigs were.  He was protecting them.  After reading book 14 the transition represents excepting his past and moving forward.  Although Odysseus did not reveal himself of who he really was he was able to see how much of a good friend Eumaeus was.  I think that brought ease and comfort to Odysseus.  I feel like as the text continues to build and build Odysseus starts to except his past.