Iliad Introduction
Background:
Who was Homer? WAS there a Homer? When did he live? Why is
Menelaus in The Iliad, isn't that a different time period? What
relationship is Homer to the Bronze Age? Who were the
Myceneans?
Where is Troy? Was there a real Troy? Was there a Trojan War?
Who is Henrich Schliemann?
What does "The Iliad" mean?
What is an Epic Poem? What are some distinguishing features of
an epic poem?
What is Oral Tradition?
Why have the Greeks sailed to Troy and besieged the city for 9
years?
What is the mythological background of the cause of the Trojan
War?
Greeks in the Trojan War
God: Who was he/she? Who is her/his family and their importance?
What is his/her importance to the Greeks? What is his/her role in
the Trojan War? Any other important information?
Greek: Who was he/she? What was his/her role? Who is his/her
family and their importance? What is his importance to society?
What is his importance to the Trojan War? How did he fair in the
Trojan War? Any other important information?
Achilles
Agamemnon
Ajax or Aias
Ajax the Lesser
Calchas
Diomedes
Helen
Idomeneus
Menelaus
Nestor
Odysseus
Patroclus
Phoenix
Teucer
Deities
Aphrodite
Ares
Athena
Hera
Hermes
Iris
Poseidon
Zeus
Trojans
Aeneas
Agenor
Antenor
Glaucus
Hector
Paris
Helen
Polydamas
Priam
Hecuba
Sarpedon
Essay Section
Once you have finished completing the above sections on
character and themes, select your most appropriate quotes, and
write an essay of 5 paragraphsabout 2 3 pages double-spaced (1
margins, 12 point font, Arial or Times New Roman only).
Choose one human character (Achilles, Agamemnon, Meneleus,
Odysseus, Helen, Paris, Hector, Priam) and explain how that
character changes over time. What gods influence the characters
thoughts, actions, and behavior? What turning point alters the
characters perspective?
Keep in mind that all papers should:
Be typed, double-spaced, in 12 point fontArial or Times New
Roman, with 1 margins
Have a typed header with your name typed in the upper left hand
corner of the first page
Have an introductory paragraph with a thesis that previews the
topics in the essay
Have 3 body paragraphs with 9-12 concrete details/quotes from
the book for evidence,
citing page numbers parenthetically. Example: Homer calls on the
muse to sing the rage
Have unique and insightful commentary that shows understanding
of the character and its
Have a conclusion paragraph that sums up the paper and answers
so what?
Use present tense consistently
Use proper academic language with sentence variation and
clarity
Book 1 Questions:
1. What is the first word of the Iliad? What is its significance
for the rest of the poem (or at least for the first book)?
2. Why did Apollo send deadly arrows against the Achaeans?
3. How does Agamemnon treat Chryses? (34) How does he treat
Calchas? (112) What else do Chryses and Calchas have in common?
4. Why is Achilles angry? What does his anger show about his
sense of self-worth and what it's based on? How does Agamemnon
exacerbate (worsen) the problem? What might Agamemnon have done
differently? Why does he insist on his decision? What really caused
the disruption of harmony? Whose side would you have taken,
Achilles' or Agamemnon' s, and why?
5. How does Achilles respond to Agamemnons insult?
6. When Athena appears to Achilles, what word does he use to
characterize Agamemnon's bad behavior towards him? What is the
Greek word? (215)
7. What does the scepter which Achilles throws down represent?
(248ff.)
8. What does Nestor represent in The Iliad? What is the purpose
of introducing him? 9. Those were his words, and he slammed the
scepter, Studded with gold, to the ground and sat down. What is the
significance of Achilles' action for the group? 10. Characterize
Agamemnons leadership style. In what ways is he an effective
leader? In what ways is he deficient? Is he a committee chairman or
more? Should he change his leadership style? Explain.11. What are
the different layers of the conflict between Agamemnon and
Achilles? Explain. How do you think they will be resolved or do you
think they can be resolved? Explain.12. Have the Greeks been in
battle these 9 years or are they simply waiting? Explain.
Book 2 Questions
1. A wooly menace, a Dream Explain this quotes importance.
2. What two things are surprising about the behavior of Zeus in
Book 2?
3. But I'm going to test them first with a little speech, The
usual drillorder them to beat a retreat in their ships. It's up to
each one of you to persuade them to stay.
What is Agamemnon thinking? How many points does he make about
why they should attack? Would you have wanted to go home or fight?
What seems to be Odysseus's philosophy about returning home?
4. But he coiled and got her by the wing as she shrieked. ..The
very god who revealed him turned him to stone. An unmistakable
portent from Zeus, son of Cronus.This great portent is a message
from Zeus.
What omen (portent) do you see being revealed here? Might it
have more than one meaning?
5. Swarming like insects over the beach, like bees that hum from
a hollow rock in an endless line And fly in clusters over flowers
in spring, Grouping themselves in aerial throngs.
What is this an example of? What role does it play in The Iliad,
what is its purpose?
6. His wife, cheeks torn, was left in Phylace, His house
half-built. A Dardanian killed him
The book ends with whats called The Catalogue of Ships. How many
ships are there? What is the purpose of such articles as we see in
this quote? How is that replicated in our media today?
7. At the end of Book 2, we are prepared for battle. Athena
sweeps among the menstiffening their hearts, so that for each of
them to die in battle was sweeter than going home.
What is the purpose of Athenas actions? Explain.
8. Which commander shows more respect for others as ends in
themselves rather than as means to an end, Achilles or Agamemnon?
Is it possible to wage war or command troops in battle without
using others as an end?
9. How will Achilles or Agamemnon, or Hector or Priam be able to
keep their humanity in the inferno (hell) to come? Will the gods
help or hurt?
How can you lead men into battle and consider them as an end and
not a means to an end? Which commander comes closest to this
goal?
Book 3 Questions
1. Why didnt the Trojans just give Helen back?
2. What image are you getting of the Trojans in Book III? Who
speaks for them?
3. Why didnt they think of the duel 9 years ago?
4. Paris "invited their best to fight him to the death." So WHY
did he turn pale and blanch at the sight of Menelaus? What did
Paris expect?
5. Lets examine the characters of Helen and Paris. How does
Homer reveal the characters of Helen and Paris? (through their
actions, dialogue, or is it explicitly stated by the author?)
A. What do you think of Helen in this section? What seems to be
her relationship to Priam? Does she seem to bear responsibility for
her own part in this? What is the one thing that Aphrodite says to
Helen that changes Helens mind about going back to Paris? What does
it show about her?
B. What do you think of the character of Paris? What is Homer
saying here about the most beautiful man and woman? Do they deserve
each other?
6. The scene with the old men sitting on the walls of Troy is
quite impressive. Why does Priam not recognize them after 9 years?
Hes even entertained Odysseus, why does he ask Helen to tell them
who the soldiers are? What purpose does this scene have?
7. When Menelauss spear does not kill and his sword breaks in
two, he attributes that to the gods, so why does he try to
physically drag Paris back to the camp? What does this say about
his character?
8. What physical description of Odysseus does the teichoscopia
(view from the wall) show? How does his speech belie his form?
9. As the armies advanced, Paris came forward donned in the skin
of a panther, brandishing two spears shod with bronze. Why a
panther hide? Why was this animal chosen by Alexandros for the
challenge of the bravest Achaean?
10. In Book III, which side are you personally drawn to now that
we know something of the backgrounds of both sides?
9. Does Homer mean for us to see these gods as literally
interfering in peoples lives, or are they meant to be metaphors,
i.e. Achilless mind or conscience told him it would really screw up
things if he killed the nominal leader, or Paris is really a coward
so his explanation for running away is that Aphrodite
interceded?
Book 4 Questions
1. The first blood drawn is in Book IV. How can we explain
Agamemnons reaction to it? What happens to Agamemnon in this scene?
Does he hurt or help himself as a leader here?
2. Why does Zeus love Troy, Priam, and the Trojans?
3. What are Hera's three favorite cities, and how does this
explain her hatred for Troy?
4. With what does the disguised Athena tempt Pandarus? How does
this motivate him?
5. Comment on the description of Pandarus' bow. (115ff.) Why do
you think the poet spends so much space describing it?
6. To what is Menelaus blood compared as it stains his body? How
does this match the scene of battle?
7. Which side do YOU choose today? The Trojans, the Gods or the
Greeks? Explain.
8. What is Agamemnon afraid that Trojans will say about him if
Menelaus dies at Troy? How much does he worry about his brother,
and how much about himself?
9. How does Machaon, the army doctor, treat Menelaus' wound? Who
is his (Machaon's) father? Who supplied his salves?
10. How did Agamemnon rouse the Achaeans to battle after
Menelaus' wounding? What motivates these soldiers?
11. How does Odysseus react when Agamemnon upbraids him for
cowardice?
12. How does Agamemnon compare Diomedes to his father
Tydeus?
13. How does Diomedes' reply to Agamemnon' s rebuke contrast
with that of his charioteer Sthenelus, son of Capaneus? Which
attitude is better for the Argives? Why?
14. Why do the heroes drag their fallen enemies (and their
fallen comrades) out of combat?
Book 5 Questions
1. What characteristics define a hero in 2014? What was
characteristic of a hero in Homers day? How are they different, if
they are? Using the characteristics of the epic, which character
thus far epitomizes (characterizes) a modern hero? An ancient
one?
2. Why does Athena grant Diomedes strength and daring? How does
it work in reality? What happens when Athena takes the mist from
Diomedes' eyes?
3. What is so special about Aeneas' horses?
4. Why is Diomedes able to continue fighting even after being
hit in the shoulder by Pandarus' arrow?
5. Which goddess does Diomedes wound? What flows in her veins?
Why does bloodlessness mean deathlessness?
6. How do Hera and Athena respond to the wounding of Aphrodite?
Why are they so cruel to her?
7. What does Athena put on before going to battle (785ff), and
what about the costume is unique to the Olympians? How does the
poet describe it? What is its purpose?
8. Who pulls Sthenelus out of Diomedes' chariot, and why? What
is the result? Why would Sthenelus be the wrong one for this
job?
9. The gods are directly involved now in the fighting, what
might this mean? When they are wounded, how do they act differently
from the mortals they are interfering with?
10. The Trojans finally begin to react. Why are we just now
seeing Hector take control? Which side seems the most reluctant to
fight, the Trojans or the Greeks?
Book 6 Questions
1. Who tells Hector to go back into Troy? [What is his
occupation? What is his relation to Hector?] What does Hector
intend to do there?
2. Why does Diomedes tell Glaucus the story of how Lycurgus
persecuted Dionysus? Who are the "nurses of Dionysus"?
3. Why does Glaucus tell Diomedes the stories about
Bellerophon?
4. Why does Diomedes grin in reaction to Glaucus' speech? (218)
Why does Homer say "Zeus took away Glaucus' good sense"?
5. How does Hector react to his mother Hecuba's greeting?
6. How do the Trojan women supplicate Athena? What is Athena's
reaction to their actions?
7. How does Hector react when he sees his brother Paris in his
room? How does this compare to his words to Paris in book 3, lines
45 ff.?
8. How does Helen describe herself to Hector? How does Hector
react to Helen's speech?
9. What is the effect of Andromache's description of the death
of her parents and brothers? That is, how do her words make the
reader/hearer react to her?
10. Why do Hector and Andromache laugh at little Astyanax? How
would you describe the relationship between Hector and
Andromache?
11. What is Hector's wish for his son?
12. Hector knows that Troy will fall, and Priam's people be
defeated, and tells Andromache as much. What does he later say to
Andromache about "fate"? (511ff)
13. How does Hector react to Paris when Paris comes into battle
(539ff)? What does this say about their relationship?
14. How would you say the narrator feels about Hector? About
Agamemnon? What seems to motivate Hector to keep fighting? Is there
anything wrong in his reasoning?
Book 7 Questions
1. Another Duel! Explain the details of the duel and the outcome
that you predicted. Provide support to your outcome. Is it part of
a cycle? Explain.
2. Why did the Greeks wait 9 years to build a wall? What might
have prompted them now? What does it mean?
3. When the Greeks have left with their ships for home, Smash
the wall to bits and sweep it out to sea
Is there any reason why Zeus here should be talking to
Poseidon?
What is Poseidon's gripe?
(Poseidon or Neptune was god of the sea), is there any parallel
to what happens to castles or walls built in the sand at the
seaside?
What's the implication for all of man's castles?
What does Fate or Time do to all of man's "castles" in the
sand?
What does this foreshadow and what does it say to the listener,
and what does it mean?
We have not had much talk of the future, what is the effect of
this speech and does it say anything about human ambition or
arrogance or weakness?
5. Why has mention of Achilles occurred in Book VII? Who made it
and what has Book VII to do with the Rage of Achilles?
6. What do the episodes of the careful gathering of the dead,
the exchange of gifts, the dialogues and the vows of friendship
have to do with an all out war?
Book 8 Questions
1. Why is Thetis brought up again on lines 277ff. Its perfectly
clear that something has been fulfilled, but what did Achilles ask
her for, and what has Zeus promised to do thats been accomplished?
Do you think its what Achilles had in mind?
2. "Enough for now. This is sound strategy." 8. 533. IS it?
Whats going on with Hector? Is his move to camp out on the plain in
front of the Greeks wise?
3. Zeus tells the other gods, lets get this over with, you all
stay out.
Do they all follow this order? Why not?
Who doesnt follow it and what are the reasons they dont? Do you
think it would have been better if they had? How would the outcome
of the war been different?
4. What is your impression of Zeus in this book? How do you
reconcile his pity for Agamemnon with his determination to destroy
him?
5. Why is Patroclus introduced into the story at this point and
why does Zeus seem to feel that will stop Hera and Athena?
6. How do you think Achilles feels about now? How would you feel
if you were in his shoes? Would you be resolute, sulking, or?
7. Is Zeus was responsible for decreeing the downfall of Troy
and everything that happened to the various warriors or is some
other force is behind it and Zeus, too, must bow to it. If so, what
is it?
8. Whose fault is The Trojan War? If Paris had given Helen back
as the Trojans had asked, would that have ended the war? Why or why
not? Did Paris have a choice when selecting Helen as the most
beautiful woman?
Book 9 Questions
1. What is Achilles doing when Ajax, Phoenix, and Odysseus find
him? How does this match the traditional understanding a hero"?
2. What is Achilles' first reaction to the appearance of his
friends? What does this say about Agamemnon's choice of
messengers?
3. What gifts has Agamemnon offered to Achilles to make him want
to return to the war? What is the point of offering so much
stuff?
4. What is Achilles' argument against Odysseus' speech? What
does he say Agamemnon must do before he will re-enter the war?
5. What did Phoenix do for Achilles when Achilles was a baby?
How would you describe their relationship? How does this
relationship compare with the one between Achilles and Aias, or
between Achilles and Odysseus?
6. Why does Phoenix tell Achilles the story of Meleager and
Cleopatra? What is the point? And why does it not work?
7. Describe some manifestations of xenia in this book? [xenia =
"hospitality"]
8. There are five mentions of wine-drinking/libations in this
book. Who drinks wine, and when? Is anything besides simple
drinking going on?
9. It doesnt matter if you stay in camp or fight.In the end,
weverybody comes out the same.Coward and hero get the same
reward.You die whether you slack off or work>And what do I have
for all my sufferingConstantly putting my life on the line? (lines
324ff)Why is Achilles adamant? Is there anything Agamemnon could
have done that would change his mind?Do you respect Achilles more
or less for his stance? Is he just having a temper fit and sulking
or is something else going on? Explain.
Book 10 Questions
1. Once Nestor and Agamemnon have awakened the heroes, what plan
do the Greeks decide upon? Which two heroes are chosen to carry out
this plan? Are there any differences between what these two wear
for this mission and what they normally wear (or use) in
combat?
2. Is the behavior of Agamemnon characteristic of what we think
of as a hero? Book X is so bizarre compared to the rest of the
Iliad and the Odyssey (among many other details "heroes" do not
usually sneak around in the middle of the night cutting peoples
throats while they sleep) that many scholars think it does not
belong to the poem. How would you argue that, on the contrary, it
it entirely appropriate to the situation at the end of Book 9?
(Hint: the cunning of Odysseus represents one aspect of heroic
excellence, the physical power represents another).
3. Meanwhile, what plan has Hektor suggested to the Trojans? How
does he persuade a Trojan to volunteer for this mission? Which
Trojan volunteers?
4. Homer presumes that the audience knows our mythology and so
he does not mention the famous mythical prophecy associated with
King Rhesus of Thrace, (the major throat-slittee of Book X): if the
horses of Rhesus eat the grass outside Troy and drink the water of
the rivers near it, then the city will never ever fall.
How does knowing this affect your reading of the Rhesus episode
(make for the sake of argument the ridiculous assumption that
6. What information does Dolon provide once he is caught? Do the
two Greek heroes keeptheir promise to him?
7. What do the two Greek heroes go on to do once they are done
with Dolon? How does this action compare with what normally
provides a Homeric hero with kleos?
Book 11 Questions
1. Who is Eris, and what is her role in this book? What does she
do?
2. Why do you think the poet gives such a lengthy description of
Agamemnon's arming of himself?
3. What does Zeus do when the Greeks are ready to fight? How
does this action help set the tone of this book?
4. What had Achilles once done to Priam's sons Isus and
Antiphus? What does Agamemnon do?
5. Why does Agamemnon refuse the supplication of Peisander and
Hippolochus?
6. To what does the poet compare Agamemnon during his killing
rampage? How effective are the images in these similes?
7. How does Zeus act as "stage manager" of the action?
8. What is the effect of the poet suddenly addressing the Muses
in the midst of this battle?
9. Why was Patroclus' response to Achilles "the beginning of
evil" for him?
11. What is unusual about Nestor's cup?
12. What does Nestor remind Patroclus that Peleus did when he
sent Achilles and Patroclus off to war? What suggestion does Nestor
offer to Patroclus?
13. How does Patroclus act as physician? What kind of training
did he have?
Book 12 Questions
1. The book begins with a description of a future event. Why
will the Achaean wall fall, and who will cause its destruction, and
by what means? What does this tell us about the relationship
between mortals and immortals, and between nature and the gods?
2. How does the simile describing Sarpedon's advance set the
stage for his actions?
3. What is Sarpedon's own justification for entering battle?
What does this say about a hero's self-identity?
4. How was Hector able to lift easily a stone heavy enough to
require two men of the present day to put it into a cart?
(463ff)?
5. But as it is, death is everywhere In more shapes than we can
count And since no mortal is immune or can escape, Lets go forward,
either to give glory To another man or get glory from him.
1. Is THIS the definition of why they fight, what a hero is? If
not what is the definition?
6. What is happening to Hector? No one Could have stopped him,
except the gods. his eyes glowed with fire. (493).
How does Hector receive Temples warnings?
7. He never dreamed that any of the immortals Would go to help
the Trojans or the Greeks. How Zeus can be so dense? He told them
all to sit back, but apparently Poseidon, King of the Sea is his
brother and thus figures.at least while Zeus is away, hell do his
own thing. Why does he appear in the guise of as Calchas the Seer.
The reader of Omens, bird entrails. What do all of the human
disguises of the gods mean?
Book 13 Questions
1. What is Poseidon's attitude towards Hector's success in
attacking the Greek wall? What does he decide to do? How does he
make his way from Samos to the battle site? Where does he park his
vehicle?
2. How does Poseidon help the Argives? Why does he have to act
in disguise? Why is it a good disguise?
3. How would you characterize the conversation between Ajax and
Hector at the end of this book? How do they refer to each
other?
4. Another Omen!!
His words were not out before a bird flew pastOn the right, a
high-soaring eagle. The Achaeans shouted, taking heart.At the
omen.
What does the juxtaposition of the omen which gave the Achaeans
heart and Hectors threat to Ajax have to do with each other?
5. What happens in the closing paragraph of Book 13 that seems
to be significant?
Book 14 Questions
1. What does this mean, do honor to him? Do you understand this
prayer and its implementation? Does it explain Zeus at all?
2. What honor are the Greeks going to give Achilles? Do you
think Achilles knows it, and is waiting for it?
2. Why does Hera lie to Aphrodite about the reason she wants the
love charm?
3. What does Aphrodite give to Hera? Why is she so willing to
help her? What is the etymology of the word "Aphrodisiac"?
4. Why is Sleep reluctant to help Hera? What offer finally
convinces Sleep to do Hera's bidding? How does this match the mood
of the scene between Zeus and Hera following it?
5. What is the purpose(s) of the Zeus' listing his former lovers
before he makes love with his wife? What is the effect on the
audience of the poem (you!)?
6. What kind of impromptu bedroom does Zeus create for his tryst
with his wife? How does it reflect the fertility of their
relationship as king and queen of heaven?
Book 15 Questions
1. When Zeus wakes up after making love to his wife, how has his
attitude towards her changed? Why? What oath does Hera take in
response? Does she perjure herself?
2. How does Athena's reaction to Ares compare with Zeus'
reaction to the same god earlier?
3. What is Poseidon's reaction to Iris' message? How does Iris
act as a diplomat in addition to a messenger?
4. The poet reminds us of the main theme of the Iliad in this
book. How do the poet's words remind us of the main theme of the
Iliad, as elucidated in book 1?
5. With the Trojans storming the ships, Patroclus, in a nice
scene much removed from the battle, decides to go to Achilles one
more time and "talk him into fighting." If the Trojans are at the
ships, what are Achilles' choices, realistically, about fighting?
Would he stand there and let the Trojans cut him down? Can you
understand Achilles at this point?
6. Homer's imagery here, both in the similes and the
personification, seems to be increasing in proportion to the
action. How many instances of personification can you find? Here
are two: A horsehair plume "nods grimly," and spears quiver in the
ground, "lusting for flesh."
7. What does the sudden animation of inanimate objects mean at
this point in the story?
Book 16 Questions
1. If the Trojans think I am you, they'll back off and give the
Greeks Some breathing space, what little there is in war. Our
rested men will turn them with a shout And push them back from our
ships to Troy. Why did Achilles let Patroclus go out in his own
armor? What does his attitude seem to be?Why does the poet address
Patroclus directly several times?
2. So that Hector will see that my comradeKnows how to fight and
win without me.The identity of Patroclus seems a fuzzy issue.
Achilles seems to think that Hector will know it's not him Apollo
says Get in that chariot and go after Patroclus. Is it clear who
the Trojans think this figure in armor is? Explain.3. What happens
to Patroclus, what goes awry? Why? Does Patroclus win glory and
honor? Why or why not?
4. If Zeus is all powerful, why does he let his own son die?
What is Hera's reasoning here? 5. What is important about this
speech? Patroclus, the vultures will eat you On this very spot.6.
The tone changes in Book 16, how would you describe it?
7. What do you think Achilles' role in the death of Patroclus
is?
Book 17 Questions
1. Why does each side want the body of Patroclus? What is
unusual about Glaucus' reasoning and why does Hector have to offer
the spoils of war to whoever gets the body back to their lines?
2. What's going on with the fog and mist? What a strange
description, what is the effect all this fog and mist has on the
reader, what does it convey? Why is it suddenly dark and foggy in
the middle of the day? Does this symbolize something? Whose
advantage is this dark?
3. Any fool can see that Father Zeus himselfIs helping the
TrojansLet's try to come up with the best plan we can. Do you think
this courageous of Ajax or foolhardy? What are his choices?
4. You violated the order of things.This armor of Achilles seems
to have a spirit of its own. Why would it violate anything if
Hector took it and why would Hector put it on? Is this a good
choice for Hector? What's the result of his decision?
5. Right, Menelaus. You and MerionesGet the body up on your
shouldersAnd carry it out
What took them so long to decide this? They've been pulling over
it like animals for some time, in the dark and the mist, quite
surreal, why now do they finally decide to pick the body up?
Book 18 Questions
1. Patroclus, Menoetius' brave son, is dead.Damn him! I told him
only to repelThe enemy fire from our ships,And not to take on
Hector in a fight.
Is that what Achilles originally said and how does he know here
what happened to Patroclus?
2. I loved himAnd I killed himAchilles takes full blame for
Patroclus' death and mourns him:Then let me die now. I was no
helpTo him when he was killed out there. He diedFar from home, and
he needed me to protect him.What are some of the changes that
Patroculs' death has brought about in Achilles? Are they all
positive? Explain.
3. And conquer our pride.But I'm going now to find the man who
destroyed My beloved-Hector.
Is this the only reason Achilles is going to enter the
battlefield?
4. Speaking bronze
When Achilles yells, his voice is amplified like shock waves,
what do you think speaking bronze means?
5. Lady Hera sent the tireless reluctant sun. Under the horizon
into Ocean's streams. What happens when night finally falls? What
is ironic about the two assemblies held, one on the side of the
Trojans and one on the side of the Greeks? Why is Polydamus's
advice ignored by all the Trojans?
6. Why does Hephaestus agree to help Thetis? Why is Thetis'
story introduced at this point in the book?
7. He threw a triple rim around it, glittering. Like
lightning
The descriptions of Hephaestus work are magic, and Homer's
description of the shield is an example of ekphrasis, a description
of art in poetic terms.
Can you imagine such a shield? Could you draw a picture of it?
How does the shield contrast to the brevity of time in the
narrative?
Book 19 Questions
1. FINALLY! Achilles is ready to fight. What is your reaction to
Book XIX? What did you expect to happen? Why do you think this is
in the book?
2. Who is the Dark Avenger? What is the role of Fate and this
Dark Avenger in the fortunes of men according to Agamemnon? Does
Homer make clear what the hierarchy is of Zeus and Fate?
3. Do you see any change in Achilles since you first met him at
the first of the book? Has his character grown? How do you see
Achilles on the brink of war?
4. Why are we so attracted and at the same time repulsed by
Achilles? Why is he a fascinating character? Does he seem more
human now at the end of Chapter 19 than he did in Book I?
5. What does Thetis bring to Achilles at the beginning of this
book? How does ensure that the body of Patroclus will not rot?
6. What divine entity does Agamemnon blame for his fit of anger
against Achilles? How did this entity end up down on the earth?
7. What does Odysseus insist upon before the army (and Achilles)
can go out to fight? Why might this be bad news for Agamemnon? How
does Athena ensure that Achilles will have the strength to fight,
despite his refusal to eat?
8. Who speaks to Achilles at the end of this book, and what does
this marvelous talking creature predict?
Book 20 Questions
1. How does the simile of the lion pertain to Achilles? In what
ways does it tie the entire Iliad together?
2. Having fulfilled his promise to Thetis, why does Zeus unleash
all the gods?
3. "I wonder if Patroclus had routed the Trojans and the Greeks
hadn't needed him, what would have happened to his great love for
Patroclus." What do you think would have happened to the entire
story and Achilles if Patroclus had succeeded?
4. Describe Achilles wrath/rage.
5. In the assembly of the gods at the beginning of this book,
what does Zeus declare that all the gods and goddesses may now do?
Which gods are on the Greek side, and which gods the Trojan?
6. Which Trojan hero does Apollo inspire to face Achilles first?
Which god eventually rescues this very important Trojan, and
how?
7. What persuades Hektor to face Achilles one-on-one, and how is
he rescued from death during this encounter? How many Trojans does
Achilles slaughter after Hektor's escape, and with what bloody
image does the book end?
Book 21 Questions
1. What does Achilles plan to do with the "twelve young Trojans"
he took alive? What does this show about how he is feeling?
2. To what do the two similes at the beginning of book 21
compare the Trojans and Achilles fighting at the river Xanthus?
What is the purpose of these comparisons?
3. Why does Achilles say that he will not heed Lycaon's
supplication? Is any battlefield supplication heeded in this epic?
What do you think the reason for this is?
4. How had the Trojans worshipped the river Scamander?
5. How does Achilles respond to the River's pleas for him to
desist? What kind of strategy does this turn out to be?
6. When Achilles prays to Zeus to save him from the River, what
does he say about his mother Thetis? Why does he wish that Hector
had killed him?
7. Who wins when Athena fights Ares? Who helps the loser? What
is the mood of battle?
8. When the immortals battle each other, how do they resemble
the mortal combatants? How do they differ? Give at least one
example of each.
9. How does Apollo save Troy at the end of book 21?
Book 22 Questions
1. Hector realizes that he will either live or die at Achilles
hands, but what is anther alternative Hector conjures in his
mind?
2. As Achilles begins his chase of Hector around the city, cite
at least 2 similes and interpret their meanings.
3. Who tries to intervene on Hectors behalf, but is quickly
thwarted by this goddess?
4. Why would Achilles, while chasing Hector, shook his head at
the armies, never letting them hurl their sharp spears at
Hector?
5. How does Athena trick Hector into stopping his wild run about
the Trojan walls and facing Achilles fact-to-face?
6. What is Achilles response to the pact that Hector wishes to
establish between the two warriors? Why?
7. How does Achilles keep attacking Hector, even after he
fatally stabs him? Is this behavior in line with a Greek hero of
battle? What is Hectors final plea?
8. How do Achilles and the Greeks desecrate Hectors dead
body?
9. How is the action that is described suggest that Hectors
death is closely linked to the fall of Troy itself?
10. When Andromache sees the end result of the duel, how does
she respond, especially with regards to Astyanax?
Book 23 Questions
1. How does Achilles' speech of mourning over Patroclus' corpse
compare or contrast with the speeches of mourning by Hector's
mother and wife?
2. What is the substance of the message which Patroclus' Ghost
gives to Achilles? What is Achilles' reaction?
3. Why does Achilles pray to the Winds, and what is the result
of his prayer? Which other god helps him?
3. Why was Hector's body not given to the dogs?
4. What does Achilles do that breaks his intention to honor the
River Spercheius? How does he justify his change of plan?
5. What example of human sacrifice occurs here? Why is Hector's
body still fresh?
6. How do the gods interfere in the funeral games? Cite two
examples.
7. Why does Menelaus dispute with Antilochus about the prize in
the chariot race? How do they settle the quarrel?
8. Whose mouth does Athena fill with cow manure, and why? What
is the reaction of the Achaeans?
Book 24 Questions
1. How is Achilles still exacting his rage upon Hector? What is
one of the gods responses to Achilles actions?
2. How does this god attempt to reason with Athena, Hera, and
the other gods who sided with the Achaeans throughout the Trojan
War?
3. How does Hera respond to this gods reason? How does Zeus
weigh in on the matter, and finally, what does he decree?
4. Why do you think Homer describes Achilles reaction to Priam
the way that he does?
5. What is Priam attempting to do in Achilles presence that one
can define as bold?
6. What kind of a reaction from Achilles does Priam receive from
his plea? How does Priam then respond to Achilles reaction?
7. What has Achilles been aware of since Priam accosted him?
8. Why mustnt Priam see his son? Why does Achilles feel guilty,
in regards to Patroclus?
9. Why do you think Achilles alludes to Niobe and her
plight?
10. Cite an earlier argument Andromache had with Hector from
Book 6. Did her fears come true? What does she think will occur now
that Hector is dead?
11. What did Helen think about Hector while he was alive?
12. What do the Trojans do with Hectors body?