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Study Guide for The Iliad. The Mediterrenean. Where are we?. The Greeks are on a beach on the coast surrounding Troy in Asia Minor, what is now Turkey. They have camped there for nine years sacking nearby islands to get food or kidnapping for a ransom. Book 1: The Rage of Achilles.
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Where are we? The Greeks are on a beach on the coast surrounding Troy in Asia Minor, what is now Turkey. They have camped there for nine years sacking nearby islands to get food or kidnapping for a ransom.
Book 1: The Rage of Achilles This book introduces the problem which will create "the rage of Achilles." Note the power wielded by Agamemnon, Achilles, Apollo, Hera, and Zeus. Although Apollo is appeased, the problem is still unresolved and Achilles refuses to participate in the war until he has his revenge.
Kalliope In Classical times--when the Muses were assigned specific artistic spheres--Kalliope was named Muse of epic poetry. In this guise she was portrayed holding a tablet and stylus or a scroll.
New Characters Introduced in Book I • Achaeans, Danaans, Argives (Greece) • Achilles • Agamemnon (also called son of Atreus and Atrides) • Briseis • Calchas (a seer) • Chryseis • Chryses (a priest of Apollo) • Hephaestus the Master Craftsman • Hera • Nestor • Odysseus • Pallas Athena • Patroclus • Phoebus Apollo • Thetis • Troy • Zeus
Source of the conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles • Chryses, priest of Apollo, begs Agamemnon to return his daughter Chryseis, who had been captured by Agamemnon. • Agamemon refuses. • Chryses, priest of Apollo, invokes the God for revenge. • Apollo sends disease and death to the Greek camp. • After 9 days, Achilles asks Calchas, the seer, to find the cause of the anger of Apollo.
To appease Apollo, Chryseis must be returned to her father. • At first Agamemnon is furious. Then he agrees but he wants another prize. • Achilles responds that Agamemnon follows his selfish greed. • Angry, Agamemnon orders Achilles to give him Briseis, Achilles’ own prize. • Hera and Athena intervene to calm Achilles’ anger. • Achilles insults and confronts Agamemnon accusing him of being a cowart. • Nestor, an old war diplomat, tries to give advice pointing out that a division among the Greeks will empower the Trojans. • Agamemnon accuses Achilles of insubordination. • Achilles goes back to his camp.
Odysseus Returns Chryseis to her FatherClaude Lorrain (1600-1682) Museum du Louvre, Paris
Achilles seeks his mother’s help to restore his honor. Thetis asks Zeus to help the Trojans defeat the Greeks so that they will realize they need Achilles.
Thetis in the role of the supplicant asks Zeus that the Trojan win victory after victory as long as her son Achilles does notfight.
Hera is enraged that Zeus will help the Trojans because she despises them and is on the Greek’s side.
The judgment of Paris: Aphrodite is chosen as the fairest of all and awarded the golden apple. Peter Paul Rubens. The Judgment of Paris. c.1639. Oil on canvas. Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain.
Hera is jealous, but Zeus affirms his power and authority. Hephaestus tries to put peace among the gods. Pleading, springing up with a two-handled cup, he reached it towards his loving mother’s hands ….
Questions • What does Agamemnon do to create the problem? • Why is Achilles so angry at Agamemnon? • What do the Achaeans do to appease Apollo? • What kind of relationship do Thetis and Achilles have? • What's Hera's reaction to Zeus' agreement with Thetis?
Summary of The Iliad • Book One - The Rage of Achilles Book Two -The Great Gathering of Armies Book Three - Helen Reviews the Champions Book Four - The Truce Erupts in War Book Five - Diomedes Fights the Gods Book Six - Hector Returns to Troy Book Seven - Ajax Duels with Hector Book Eight - The Tide of Battle Turns Book Nine - The Embassy to Achilles Book Ten - Marauding Through the Night Book Eleven - Agamemnon's Day of Glory Book Twelve - The Trojans Storm the Rampart Book Thirteen - Battling for the Ships Book Fourteen - Hera outflanks Zeus Book Fifteen -The Achean Armies at Bay Book Sixteen - Patroclus Fights and Dies Book Seventeen - Menelaus' Finest Hour Book Eighteen - The Schield of Achilles Book Nineteen - The Champion Arms for Battle Book Twenty - Olympian Gods in Arms Book Twenty-one - Achilles Fights the River Book Twenty-two - The Death of Hector Book Twenty-three - Funeral Games for Patroclus Book Twenty-four - Achilles and Priam
Book VI: Hector returns to Troy Up to this point, the book has concentrated on killing. A new theme appears of ransom and spoils. Two incidents investigate the new theme. The last part of the book deals with the effects of war on the families. Hector visits the three women of his life, his mother Hecuba, his sister-in law Helen, and his wife Andromache.
New Characters and Names Introducedin Book VI • Hector • Paris • Andromache • Astyanax • Helenus • Hecuba • Glaucus • Diomedes
Glaucus and Diomedes Rules of engagement • Introductions: Are you an man or a mortal? • Since our grandfathers were friends and exchanged gifts, we will not fight. • Exchange of armors
Nine ancient cities, one on top of another Most scholars believe Troy VI was the city of Priam.
Questions • What purpose does the encounter between Glaucus and Diomedes serve? • What view do we have of the religious beliefs of the Trojans? • What do we learn about the effects of war from the speeches of Andromache and Hector? • In what way does Andromache bring a sense of humanity to the entire book?
Book VIII Ready to battle, the Trojans camp by watchfires during the night.
Book 9: The Embassy to Achilles Agamemnon fears defeat and has to be talked out of leaving. Diomedes encourages the troops to endure accusing Agamemnon of being a coward. Nestor advises to protect the rampart while the chiefs gather to feast and to make a decision. Nestor proposes to offer compensation to Achilles to convince him to return to battle.
All this I would extend to him if he will end his anger…. Let him bow down to me! I am the greater king, I am the elder-born, I claim – the greater man. Mask found by Schliemann in Mycene, thought to be Agamemnon’s burial mask. However it was from a much earlier time.
Phoenix, Ajax, and Odysseus go to Achilles’ tent with the offerings.
Fearful that the Trojans may burn the ships, the Greeks make the offer to Achilles to convince him to rejoin in the war. He refuses the gifts and points out the “mortal risks of war…” “The same honor waits for the coward and the brave. They both go down to Death…” According to Achilles all is lost and he plans to sail back home with the Myrmidons. No forgiveness for Agamemnon who did not offer an apology. “… until he pays me back, pays full measure for all his heartbreaking outrage!”
The fate of Achilles • Two possible outcomes: 1. Die young in battle with honor 2. Return home, live a long life, without glory and pride
Phoenix, Achilles’ tutor, is invited to stay. He tries to persuade Achilles to help the Greeks. He tells the story of his life. He also tells the story of Meleager, who like Achilles refused to help his people.
Ajax and Odysseus return to report to Agamemnon the failure of their mission. Diomedes suggests that they resume the fight with Agamemnon on the front line…
Thought Questions: • Looking over the riches Agamemnon proposes giving Achilles, what can one say the Achaeans found important? • Achilles' housing is alternately referred to as a tent and a lodging. From the various descriptions and actions of things that happen there, can you get a picture of how he lives? • What emotions does Achilles have toward Briseis?
New Characters and Names Introduced • Diomedes • Phoenix • Odysseus • Ajax • Patroclus
Book 16: Patroclus Fights and Dies Patroclus goes back to Achilles and asks for the chance to lead the men into battle. One of the ships is set aflame. Patroclus leads Achilles' army into battle. He is very successful killing Trojans. Sarpedon, Zeus' son, is killed.The book ends with death of Patroclus by Hector. A fight over Patroclus’ body follows.
The basic elements of body armor consisted of a shield, helmet, cuirass or breastplate, and separate arm, thigh, lower leg and foot protectors. The word for an individual soldier’s equipment of weapons and armor is panoply. Made from a combination of materials including iron and bronze, it could be very expensive.
The Gods’ intervention • Zeus wants to protect Sarpedon, his own son, but following hera’ s advice lets fate take its course. When Sarpedon is killed by Patroclus, Zeus protects his body and asks Apollo to carry the body back to Lycia where it can be given proper burial. • Apollo helps the Trojan first by healing Glaucus’ wound and then by tricking Patroclus.
Patroclus fights with Achilles’ weapons. • He goes after the Trojans and kills Cebriones, Hector’s driver. • Patroclus is stunned by Apollo’s push which knocks his helmet off and disorients him, giving Hector a chance to hit. • After the battle over Patroclus’ dead body, the Trojans strip Achilles’ weapons from the corpse.
Book 18: Achilles’ Shield After killing him, Hector takes Patroclus’weapons. Achilles mourns the death of his friend. His cries prompt Thetis to go help him. Achilles is spurred on to save Patroclus' body and proceeds to frighten the Trojans by his war-cry and appearance. Thetis asks Hephaestus to forge new weapons for her son so that he can join the fight and avenge his friend’s death. A detailed description of the art work on the shield closes this book.
