What does The audience learn about Odysseus from his encounters with his shipmate

I'm a little late, but if you may need this answer in the future ...

Odysseus and his crew sail to the region of the Men of Winter and, per Kirke's instructions, make a ritual sacrifice for Teiresias. While waiting for Teiresias, Odysseus cuts down the other phantoms that emerge, including Elpenor, who had fallen from Kirke's roof. Odysseus promises him a proper sailor's burial back on Kirke's island. He also sees his dead mother, Antikleia. Odysseus thought his mother was alive so he is pretty sad and begins to cry.