Iliad Passages

guide studies
 

Achilles Curses Agamemnon click
 Iliad I, ll 262ff (Fagles p 85)

Consider in Book I how the argument between Achilles
and Agamemnon develops. What circumstances bring them together? How does each character see his situation? Are differences in views worth considering?
Is one wrong and the other right? Or is such an argument highly likely, given the characters involved and current circumstances? Homer identifies the rage of Achilles
as ruinous, but understandable given the temperaments and roles of the characters, together with current circumstances. (How also does Chryses engage Apollo
in his dispute with Agamemnon?)

 

Odysseus Meets Thersites click
 Iliad II ll 245ff (Fagles, p 106)

Consider in Book II the test Agamemnon offers
his soldiers. The foot soldier Thersites makes
an appealing argument: he and fellow common soldiers
will likely die in battle without the possibility of fame accorded soldiers superior in ancestry, training, arms
and company. How does his engagement with Odysseus appear to his fellow soldiers and to fighters with seeking fame? (How, incidentally, do Homeric dreams or prophecies really work?)

 

Aphrodite Works click
 Iliad III ll 146ff (Fagles, p 132)

Consider in Book III Helen’s involvements with
her rival suitors Menelaus and Paris. How does she
come to consider each suitor at particular times?
How do her rivals variously act in particular circumstances. How might the tracing of her involvements reveal the powers of Aphrodite?

 

Pandarus Strikes click
 Iliad IV ll 100ff (Fagles, p 148)

Consider in Book IV the attempt by Pandarus to save Troy by killing Menelaus. Athena, of course, tricks Pandarus. But Pandarus’ understanding of strategy, together with
the recognized skill with which he approaches his quarry deserves the attention of Homeric audiences. And like reasoning in the face of arguments, Homeric truces
seldom ensure peace.

 

Diomedes Wounds Ares click
 Iliad V ll 998ff (Fagles, p 192)

Consider in Book V Diomedes as an inspired hero.
How does his attacks on Ares and on Aphrodite
appear to audiences? Why does Zeus hate Ares
most of all the Olympian gods? (Consider also
Sarpedon, the Trojan supporter favored by Zeus,
who next to Hector appears as the most
worthy of fame.)

 

Hector Meets Andromache click
Iliad VI, 439ff (Fagles, p 208)

Consider in Book VI the meeting of Hector and Andromache. How does each consider current circumstances and anticipate specific consequences
of Hector’s choices? Homer’s audiences were primarily Greek. How might Greek audiences appreciate the anticipated futures of Hector, “killer of men”, and
his family?

 

Hector Meets Ajax click
 Iliad VII, V ll 236ff (Fagles, p 221)

Consider in Book VII the actions of Hector and Ajax.
In Book III Paris and Menelaus fought as rivals for Helen’s favor. Now Hector has challenged Greeks to put forward
a Greek fighter to meet him in single combat. Selected
by lot from the nine great fighters who respond to
the challenge, Ajax is recognized as the clear favorite,
a testament to his fighting prowess. What makes
this extended engagement worth particular attention?
What distinguishes each fighter? How does craftsmanship work? When encroaching darkness ends the combat,
how do fighters and audiences respond?

 

Hera & Athena Face Zeus click
Iliad VIII, ll 504ff (Fagles, p 245)

Consider in Book VIII the competition among gods
and goddesses. Darkness ended the confrontations
of Ajax and Hector, but the Greeks took from Ajax’s actions faith in their rising power. Now, as darkness grows once more, Hera and Athena, united in inspiring Greeks, find Zeus’ inspiration of Trojans dispiriting.  Homeric audiences would know that Troy eventually falls.
What engages them, then, in depictions of Greek suffering, including the prediction that Achilles’ beloved companion Patroclus will fall before Hector? How does the opposition of Zeus to Hera and Athena work?

 

Phoenix Counsels Achilles click
 Iliad IX, ll 523ff (Fagles, p 266)

Consider in Book IX the recognition by Agamemnon
that he must convince Achilles to return to battle.
What influences his choice of ambassadors?
What conditions does Agamemnon accept?
Consider, for example, the character, actions and
account presented by Phoenix. How might he expect Achilles to understand the story he offers?

 

Spies Compete click
 Iliad X, ll 523ff (Fagles, p 291)
Consider in Book X the strategy of Diomedes and Odysseus in undermining Trojan forces. Sleepless
from anxiety, Agamemnon together with the wise elder Nestor, initiates a spying mission. Diomedes and Odysseus appear not just as among the greatest
of fighters, but as superior in craft. Hector, equally sleepless, considering how to take advantage of rising Trojan power, initiates his own spying mission. But
the satisfied Trojans lacking inspiration for such
unheroic activity, send out Dolon, a young untested
fighter, the sole son among five sisters, no  match
for Diomedes and Odysseus. Homeric audiences would know that the Iliad ending, despite the death of Hector, despite the fated death of Achilles, is inconclusive. Odysseus’ treachery in a surprise attack from within
the Palladian horse left at Troy as Greeks sail
from Troy will make of heroic hand-to-hand combat
a fading memory of honor through personal courage.

 

Sarpedon Seeks Fame click
 Iliad XII, ll 337ff (Fagles, p 334)

Consider in Book XII the simile which precedes the challenge Zeus’ favorite, Sarpedon, offers to his young companion Glaucon. Crowded before each side of Greek ramparts, fighters volley boulders back and forth, so thick they appear to Zeus above as snowflakes, but to men below as instruments of crushing death. When even Hector fails to break through the ramparts, Sarpedon calls to
his young fellow-fighter Glaucon to rise to the greatest
of risks, to lead Trojans through Greek fortifications.
What makes his claim to fame credible and memorable?

 

Hera Seduces Zeus click
Iliad XIV, ll 187ff (Fagles, p 374)

Consider in Book XIV how Hera, resentful of Zeus,
plans to remove him from action through seduction.
Her likely success appears in the impression she
makes as Zeus first sees her: “at one glance the lust
came swirling over him, making his heart race, fast as
the first time—all unknown to their parents—they rolled
in bed, they locked and surged in love.”  How does
Hera create such an impression?

 

Sarpedon’s Last Stand click
Iliad XVI, ll 499ff (Fagles, p 426)
Consider in Book XVI the consequences of Sarpedon’s encouragement to his friend Glaucon in Book XII before storming Greek ramparts. Most beloved by Zeus of all mortals (for good reason), Sarpedon will not finally escape his fate. Hera reminds Zeus of unfortunate consequences
if immortals undermined fated outcomes, but her stronger reminder would be that not even Zeus can counter fate. (consider also the conditions Achilles imposes on Patroclus, who, armed with Achilles’ war gear, can
no longer hold back from fighting. Patroclus’ death
will change Achilles irrevocably. Patroclus’ dying words
to Hector anticipate Hector’s fated meeting with Achilles.

 

Hector Assumes Achilles’ Arms click
Iliad XVII, ll 159ff (Fagles, p 447)
Consider in Book XVII how Sarpedon’s death leads Hector, armed with the war gear of Achilles, to terrify dispirited Greeks. Glaucus, grieving for Sarpedon’s death, seeks
to recover his body. Goading Hector for failing to turn back Ajax from defending Patroclus’ body, and thereby losing the means to exchange Greek for Trojan, Glaucus stirs Hector to call back the arms of Achilles from Troy, to arm himself as Achilles. Greeks will no longer miss Achilles presence foremost among them in battle, but will face Achilles in the person of Hector, killer of men. Zeus, grieveing also for Sarpedon, anticipates Hector’s rampage, but anticipates as well the effect it will have on Achilles.

 

Hephaestus Shields Achilles click
Iliad XVIII, ll 558ff (Fagles, p 483)
Consider in Book XVIII how Achilles rejoins Greek fighters to attack Troy. Unmoved by all offers by Agamemnon
to make amends (consider Agamemnon’s offer to pick
any of the King’s daughters as a bride!), Achilles discovers his love for Patroclus, and his attending sense of responsibility, moves him personally, moves him with
a force greater even than fame, to seek out Hector,
to avenge the death of Patroclus. Not reasonable,
but impassioned, Achilles turns his rage from Agamemnon to Hector. Passion, not reason, rules. Thetis moves Haephestus, the smith-god, to craft new arms for Achilles, arms crafted with unequaled technology, and with
fearful pictorial craft.

 

Achilles Goes Berserk click
Iliad XXI, ll 110ff (Fagles, p 523)
Consider in Book XXI first the rage at work as Achilles slaughters Trojans. How does the death of his beloved companion Patroclus lead him to specific actions? Lyaon, a Trojan prince too young to fight appear before Achilles, cutting fig saplings for chariot wheels.  Just eleven days returned by ransom, he hopes his value will once more spare his life. Achilles, Patroclus in mind, will not spare him, but consider his linking of Lyaon’s fate and his own. Fired up with slaughter, however, Achilles rages against
all life about the River Scamander. What, then, brings about an end to his rampage?

 

Hector Faces Achilles click
Iliad XXII, ll 293ff (Fagles, p 549)

Consider in Book XXII Hector’s reactions to his discovery that the brother he most relies on was nowhere near him, vanished. Aware that Achilles’ will overcome him, that Achilles vengeance will drive him to feed the corpse
to dogs, Hector none-the-less attacks “like a soaring eagle launching down from the dark clouds to earth to snatch some helpless lamb or trembling hare.” Can we see Achilles, at the moment of his triumph, as Hector does,
as a helpless lamb or trembling hare?

 

Patroclus’ Final Appearance click
Iliad XXIII, ll 65ff (Fagles, p 561)
Consider in Book XXIII the surprise of Achilles when
the shade of Patroclus appears, chiding him for forgetfulness and neglect. How does Patroclus help Achilles to recall their relationship in the flesh, and
to recognize the distance between those times
and those to come as shades as shades?

 

Priam Joins Achilles click
XXIV, ll 540ff (Fagles, p 603)
Consider in Book XXIX how Priam stirs Achilles’ heart
to enable the release of Hector. Achilles previously raged at Agamemnon, refusing all terms for engagement.
Achilles subsequently chokes the river Scamander
with Trojan corpses, genesis in reerse. Achilles delays
his departure from Patroclus as long as possible, refusing to accept his loss. How will Priam persuade him to end
his rage? Prima’s appearance in the Greek camp stuns
his audience: “Awesome—as when the grip of madness seizes one who murders a man in his own fatherland and, flees abroad to foreign shores, to a wealthy, noble host, and a sense of marvel runs through all who see him—
 so Achilles marveled, beholding majestic Priam.
His men marveled too, trading startled glances.”
Why does Priam, not Achilles, appear as an exiled murderer? And how does his appearance and words
stir Achilles?