Introduction First of all, in order to understand the Iliad you must try to identify the main theme of the poem. Once identified the main theme will help you separate the essential action of the Iliad from the action which is not crucial to the central plot. The main theme is presented by Homer in the first line of the poem. What is the main theme? Here is the first line in Greek followed first by a transliteration and then by a word­for­word translation: Menin aeide thea Peleiadeo Achileos Anger sing of, goddess, of Peleus's son Achilleus Note the difference between the word order at the beginning of the line and the normal English arrangement. How does the Greek word order help you identify the main theme? After the introduction of the poem (1­7), Homer tries to create immediate interest by thrusting his audience in medias res, 'into the middle of things'. This Latin phrase is used in literary criticism to refer to the epic poet's practice of beginning his story without an introduction to the main characters and an explanation of the situation which forms the background of the story (i.e., without any exposition). The first action of the poem is a suppliancy, that is, a ritual act, in which the suppliant, while sitting or kneeling, grasps the knees of the person supplicated and touches his chin or kisses his hands (see 1.500­501 and 24.478). This act of self­humiliation was an attempt to forestall any unfavorable reaction on the part of the supplicated. Once the supplication was properly performed, the suppliant was under the protection of Zeus; anyone who rejected a supplication risked the anger of that god. What request does Chryses make of Agamemnon (20)? What is the reaction of the Achaians 13 (22­23)? What is Agamemnon's response (26­32)? Why does Chryses pray to Apollo and what prayer does he make (36­42)? How does Apollo answer his prayer (43­52)? 13 Homer uses three names, with no apparent difference in meaning, to refer to the people whom we call Greeks: Achaians, Danaans, and Argives. Source: Classics Technology Center Character Chart Complete the following chart as you read to help keep track of the following characters. Character Hector Achilles Zeus Athena Deiphobus
Greek, Trojan, God Description of Character Action taken by or Importance of Character Patroclus Apollo Priam Hermes As You Read: Select and prepare one or more passages that you find particularly significant or intriguing and then read them aloud to the class on Tuesday. Be prepared to justify your selection. Helpful Resource Website: Check the links page on my teacher website for assistance. The following questions correspond with the line numbers in the Fitzgerald translation rather than the Lattimore translation used in the gray textbook. Both translations are equally valid. Questions for Basic Understanding BOOK I: What is the cause of the quarrel between Achilleus and Agamemnon? Why does Achilleus want to kill Agamemnon, and why doesn’t he? How does Achilleus want his mother Thetis to help him, and why does he expect Zeus will be inclined to listen to her? What problems does Zeus have with his wife Hêra? BOOK VI: How do Menelaus and Agamemnon differ in their views of taking Adrêstos as a prisoner for ransom? Why do Glaukos and Diomêdês abstain from battling each other? Does Athena listen to the prayers of the Trojan women? How does Helen address Hector, and what opinion does she claim to have of Paris? What reason does Andrómachê have to hate Achilleus in particular? What future does Hector imagine for her? BOOK XVIII: What is the scale of lamentation for Patróclos? Why is Hephaestus so well disposed to Thetis? Describe Achilleus’ shield and discuss both the scenes depicted on it as well as the way the poet presents their creation. BOOK XXII: With what arguments do Priam and Hékabê try to dissuade Hector from facing Achilleus outside the walls? What motivates Hector to reject their pleas and make his last stand? What role do the gods play? Will Achilleus bargain with Hector and agree to return his body to his parents for proper burial? What end does Hector prophesy for Achilleus? What does Achilleus do to Hectors corpse? BOOK XXIV: Why do the gods decide Achilleus must agree to surrender Hectors body for ransom? How much time has elapsed since Hectors death? How does Zeus arrange for his message to Achilleus to be delivered? And his message to Priam? Why does Priam reject the advice of his wife, Hékabê? What does he think of his surviving sons? What omen encourages Priam and Hékabê that he will be received with kindliness? What identity does Hermes take on as he guides and assists Priam? With what appeal does Priam begin his speech to Achilleus, hoping to soften his heart? How does Achilleus take care lest he be moved to
anger once again and defy the express command of Zeus? How long a truce does Achilleus promise Priam, so that the Trojans have time to mourn and bury Hector before war resumes? What end does Andrómachê fear for their son? In what terms does Helen—even Helen!—lament Hector? Questions for Further Study BOOK I: In the altercation between Achilleus and Agamemnon, who wins, who loses? How does each “save face”? What do we learn about the character of each man? How is the council of the gods similar to the assembly of Greek leaders, and how is it different? BOOK VI: Why does Hélenos advise Hector to instruct the Trojan women to pray to Athena and promise sacrifices? What does the episode of Glaukos and Diomêdês suggest about the loyalties and priorities of Homeric heroes? Describe the impact the domestic scenes of Hector with the various members of his family in Troy have on the narrative tone and rhythm of the poem. Is Homer as convincing a poet of tenderness and laughter as he is of terror and mayhem? BOOK XVIII: Does Achilleus now, talking to his mother, display full self­awareness? Why is he the darling of the gods, to the point that Athena will even cover him with her shield? Could a design on a shield possibly show all the action and effects (including sound) Homer describes? BOOK XXII: How does Homer reveal to us Hectors inner thoughts? How does the poet show Hectors piety even as the gods desert and trick him? How does Andrómachê’s initial ignorance of her husband’s fate prolong and deepen the piteousness of Hektor’s death? Do we as readers sympathize with Andrómachê or are we always on the side of the Greeks? BOOK XXIV: Though Zeus could presumably have simply snatched Hector’s corpse from Achilleus and have it delivered straightaway to Troy, what is the value of his having Achilleus and Priam play out their parts in the transfer? What does Achilleus honor in Priam? Achilleus refers to himself as “of all seasons and none” (line 649). What do you think he means by this? What is the significance of the meal Achilleus and Priam take together? In what ways does the episode of Priam’s visit to Achilleus and the ransoming of Hector’s corpse serve as a satisfying capstone to the epic we call The Iliad? And what of the final scenes, the series of speeches over his body and his cremation? How well do these final scenes conclude the epic? Source for Questions: Farrar, Straus and Giroux’s Teacher’s Guide for The Iliad