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present, namely the Phaeacians, through Ulysses, who has had this cycle
of experiences and now sings them. But that which is true in past Time
must be seen to be true in all Time--Past, Present and Future. So there
unfolds the idea of a World-Order, foretold at first by the Pre-Trojan
prophet Tiresias, illustrated by the fate of the three Greco-Trojan
heroes in Hades, and finally realized and active in the realm of Minos.
The whole has, therefore, the secret underlying thought of a
world-tribunal, which works through all human history; it is a kind of
Last Judgment to which the deeds of men are appealed for final
adjudication; it most profoundly suggests in its movement the ethical
order of the Universe. Let us briefly sum up its three stages.

I. The first communication from the Hades of the Past to the real world
of the Present through Ulysses is that of the prophet Tiresias, "whose
mind is whole;" he may be called the pure Idea (as subjective) uttering
the Idea (as objective, as principle of the world). For he beholds the
truth of things as they are in their essence, he himself being the
impersonation of Truth. Thus he looks through the Future and foretells;
he knows that Neptune will avenge the deed done to Polyphemus, that the
Oxen of the Sun constitute a great danger, that Ulysses will punish the
Suitors; then he prophesies the peace and final harmony of Ulysses
after his long conflict and separation from home, country, and the
Divine Order.

So speaks Tiresias and is therein a kind of world-judge, prefiguring
Minos of the last stage of Hades. For he prophesies according to the
law of the deed; what you have done is sure to return upon you, be it
good or bad. Hence he can tell what will happen to Ulysses for acts
already committed (the wrath of Neptune); he can give a warning
concerning things which Ulysses may do (the slaying of the Oxen of the
Sun); he can affirm the certain punishment of guilt (the case of the
Suitors). Thus the prophet voices a world-justice, which inflicts the
penalty unflinchingly, but also bears within itself reconciliation.
Such is the prophetic Idea, appearing in advance, not yet ordered and
realized.

II. The second communication from Hades to the Phaeacians through
Ulysses comes from the Trojan Past, and is voiced by the three most
famous heroes of the Iliad--Achilles, Agamemnon, Ajax (the last one,
however, does not speak, but acts out his communication). All three are
tragic cha