The Catholic Book Club discussion

7. Father Wetta, a member of our group, has graciously agreed to answer our questions about The Eighth Arrow: Odysseus in the Underworld, A Novel. Please post your questions in reply to this post.

Why Hades is the evil? There will not be able other god with this role one of the titans or Typhon? The por Hades of the Greek mythology gave me a bit sad.

There will be a sequel telling the Odysseus rising to the purgatory and heaven?

Why Odysseus excepting Dante and Virgil did not find historical characters who lived after of him? For instance Romullus, or Pisistrato, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Alexander the Great

How did you think the idea of checking the Divine Comedy? My friend the Professor Alfonseca thinks that Odysseus is in the inferno because the Middle age authors had not idea of Greek mythology.
Dante and Torquato Tasso "Delivered Jerusalem" considered that Odysseus was punished for crossing the Hercule's columns but other traditions said that he was murdered by his son Telephogus had with Cirke.

What is your opinion that other writers are using the greek myths with ideológicas intenciones as Marion Zimmer Bradley, Margaret Atwood or Madeleine Miller?

Had you thought to write another book? It does not matter if is fiction or not fiction. If some of my questions bother you. Please do not reply.

1) How much fun did Father have while writing this book?

2) Odysseus' flashbacks were entirely original or based on the source material? Did Father take liberties to develop the characters?

3) Did Father take any inspiration from the Percy Jackson series? I'm thinking especially about the fourth book of the second saga, "The House of Hades".

4) By extension, what do you think about the use of mythology in fiction? Here in Brazil, Professor Carlos Nougué insists it ought to be preferred over other mythologies, since it's closer to philosophical truth and, in a way, to the Gospel (his opinion; he's somewhat critical of "The Lord of the Rings").

So, I'm currently on a reread (pardons if this is answered later in the book), but I thought it was curious that everyone refers to God as "the Authority". Not Almighty, or simply God, but "the Authority". Why did you choose this title?

I just finished watching your latest interview with Chris Stefanick (so much fun, by the way!) and realized that your description of the Benedictine apology sounded a lot like the scene where Odysseus asks Ajax's pardon (although he's certainly waiting for a striking blow, as well). Did that inspire this scene?

Emmy wrote: "So, I'm currently on a reread (pardons if this is answered later in the book), but I thought it was curious that everyone refers to God as "the Authority". Not Almighty, or simply God, but "the Aut..."

It is a nod to Philip Pullman's "god" who he consistently refers to as "The Authority"...

Emmy wrote: "I just finished watching your latest interview with Chris Stefanick (so much fun, by the way!) and realized that your description of the Benedictine apology sounded a lot like the scene where Odyss..."

I think it did...actually, I'm sure it did.

Another question for you......

Dante has Virgil, but if you could have any person of literary/historical/religious significance take you on a guided, life-changing journey, who would you choose? (To keep it interesting, you can't say Jesus).

Emmy wrote: "Another question for you......

Dante has Virgil, but if you could have any person of literary/historical/religious significance take you on a guided, life-changing journey, who would you choose? (..."

This is a great question. Without meaning to steal Fr. Augustine's opportunity to respond for himself, I'm going to add it as a new discussion question for everyone.

John wrote: "Emmy wrote: "Another question for you......

Dante has Virgil, but if you could have any person of literary/historical/religious significance take you on a guided, life-changing journey, who would ..."

Thank you, John! I'm excited to see what everyone has to say!

Excellent question John 👏.

By the way, I have a theological question: were those souls freed from Sheol by Christ's resurrection solely Jews, or were there righteous pagans of other religions who didn't know Christ but had many things in common with him? It would be interesting to analyze this question in more detail.

If the answer is yes, could Ulysses and his companions benefit from Christ's mercy?

Fonch wrote: "By the way, I have a theological question: were those souls freed from Sheol by Christ's resurrection solely Jews, or were there righteous pagans of other religions who didn't know Christ but had m..."

According to Dante, they were left in Limbo (the first circle of hell). But that's not the position of the Church, according to the II Vatican Council.

Manuel wrote: "Fonch wrote: "By the way, I have a theological question: were those souls freed from Sheol by Christ's resurrection solely Jews, or were there righteous pagans of other religions who didn't know Ch..."

But what about Jesus' descent into hell during the three days of his death? It was supposed to free those souls.

Manuel wrote: "Fonch wrote: "By the way, I have a theological question: were those souls freed from Sheol by Christ's resurrection solely Jews, or were there righteous pagans of other religions who didn't know Ch..."

Wasn't limbo for unborn children who died without being baptized?

Fonch wrote: "But what about Jesus' descent into hell during the three days of his death? It was supposed to free those souls."

No, it wasn't. That idea came later.

Fonch wrote: "Wasn't limbo for unborn children who died without being baptized?"

Yes, but the existence of Limbo was never a dogma. And Dante took it precisely as a destination for good pagan people who died without ever knowing about Christ.

Fonch wrote: "By the way, I have a theological question: were those souls freed from Sheol by Christ's resurrection solely Jews, or were there righteous pagans of other religions who didn't know Christ but had m..."

They used to call Abraham's Bosom "limbo" too — the Limbo of Patriarchs, to which Christ descended. It was an "in-between" place where purged souls waited for Christ's victory to ascend to heaven. It included not only jews, but also pagans united to Abraham through theological faith (and hope and charity); you can follow St. Paul's reasoning throughout the Epistle to the Romans. It was a post-Purgatory status.

The "Limbo of Infants" was another concept in Medieval Theology.

Of course, Abraham's Bosom ceased to exist after Our Lord's ascension

I heard that Benedict XVI had removed it, but I wasn't sure. Many thanks to both Professor and Emmanuel (interestingly, both are named Manuel, meaning "God with us") for their comments and explanations, especially regarding the three days of the resurrection. What could the Court of the Gentiles be? Those pagans with whom there can be understanding? One might recall the case of Emeth in "The Last Battle."