Hi I’m new to the fandom so apologies if this has already been discussed or is a common interpretation. I doubt I’m the first to think of it. But my friend fancast me as Tiresius before I heard the music, so I really connected with it when I got there. I just wanted to share an interpretation based on my understanding.

I definitely vibe with the idea that the first time through, Tiresius is talking about his past non-monster exploits. And the no longer you making it home is literal. That continuing on this path will lead to other men making it but he will die to something before he can make it home. It’s the pushing on him basically begging Tiresius to show him another path and girding his loins with the next song that leads Tiresius to enter the bridge talking about how Ithaca will now be affected by this path Odysseus chose, repeating the lyrics of the first time, now each referencing a future event, which I think is backed by the background chorus.

Past -> future

Song of past romance: Penelope -> sirens

Sacrifice of man: The baby -> Scylla eating people

Portrayals of betrayal: Polyphemus/the lotus eaters (or you could argue opening the winds which isn’t in order but maybe makes more sense?)-> the crew mutinying

Brothers final stand: Polites getting killed -> Eurylochus attacking Odysseus

On the brink of death (noting brink has double meaning with being associated with water): Poseidon smashing them up -> getting stabbed by the crew or calypso’s island depending on the next one

Draw your final breath: going into the underworld and “dying” ->either the breath before he chooses to sacrifice his men to Zeus or the one before he goes under with Poseidon

And my favorite: man who gets to make it home alive but no longer you: if he stays on this path of sacrifice, his men will survive and make it home, but he will not because he’ll die before he makes it -> after choosing to push Tiresius And become the monster, Tiresius launches into the bridge talking about how Ithaca will change now because he chooses selfishness and ruthlessness before launching into how this whole future is dictated, to the usual understanding of now you will make it home, but it won’t be you anymore

Anyways there’s my deep dive. Curious what others think and if they interpret it similar or what other events would slide into each slot?