In general. We're reading the Iliad to gain understanding not only of the world of which it was a product (pre-archaic, possibly to early archaic but also of the archaic and classical periods, since the poem was cherished and often-recited throughout Greek antiquity). So we want to figure out what made it so important to Greeks generally, and to try to glean as much as we can from it about their conceptual world. As you read the Iliad, keep the following questions in mind:

• What conceptions of the gods are in the poem, and how would you characterize the relationship between gods and humans? Are humans completely controlled by gods; or do they have free will?

• What constitutes a hero? What values and qualities are most prized in the poem? Conversely, what is devalued?

• What attitudes toward war (and peace) can you discern?

• What elements and devices in the narrative make the poem easy for a bard to remember?  

• Comparing and contrasting is an excellent way to get at the peculiar features of a particular culture. What similarities and differences do you notice between the Iliad and Gilgamesh? What is the significance of these similarities and differences for understanding better the cultures from which they derive? As you think about the questions below, keep in mind comparisons and contrasts with Gilgamesh.

BOOK 1. Refer to the glossary of names before the beginning of the selection to help you keep names straight (also consult the web links mentioned above).

Book 1 lays out the story of the Iliad, and sets the stage for the contents of the rest of the work as it describes the origins of the quarrel between Achilles, the greatest warrior of the Greek (or as Homer refers to them, Achaeans) army and Agamemnon, the leader of the Achaean army.

The Muse ("Goddess") is invoked by the poet to sing ("sing", because epic poetry was not spoken, but chanted.) What is she to sing about?

What is the nature of the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon, and what are the issues involved?

Is there a difference between what we would call justified behavior and what Achilles' peers would?

How important is honor and reputation? Why are they important?

How important is wealth in this world?

What are some of the qualities exhibited by Achilles, as well as by others, which characterize a hero?

What are the gods like? What motivates their actions? Are they omniscient? What adjectives come to mind as you think about their qualities?

What is the relationship of the gods to each other, e.g. Zeus to the others, Hera to Zeus, etc., and of the humans to the gods? Why do humans sacrifice to the gods?

When Athena says to Achilles, "Down from the skies I come to check your rage | if only you will yield" (242-243), what does that imply about divine control over humans, and the notion of free will?

NOTE: Many of the questions asked for book 1 can be applied to the rest of the selection (e.g. about the gods, heroic behavior, sacrifice, etc.)

 

BOOK 6

 

How would you characterize Hector's and Andromache's relationship? How do they describe it and speak of each other?

 

What happens to women on the losing side of war? What can they expect? (recall Briseis and Chryseis from book 1 as well)

 

What does this imply about slavery? Who might a slave be?

 

Did Hector have a choice about whether to return to battle or stay away from it?

 

Note how book 6 ends with a requickening of the pace, as Hector and Paris depart for the battlefield.

BOOK 24

Apollo characterizes Achilles as "that man without a shred of decency in his heart" (47). Read Apollo's entire description of Achilles. Is it fair and accurate? Is it more or less convincing than Zeus' claim that "whoever begs his [Achilles'] mercy he will spare with all the kindness in his heart?"

Why does Achilles agree to give back Hector? What significance would you infer Achilles' justification of his act to the dead Patroclus (lines 695ff.)?

Achilles warns Priam not to "stir my raging heart still more. Or under my own roof I may not spare your life old man - suppliant that you are - may break the laws of Zeus". Here Achilles refers to Zeus' concern with the treatment of suppliants and the correct relationship between host and guest. What are the rules of hospitality that can be gleaned from this book? Why does Achilles get so angry at Priam?

Our final image of Achilles is from his encounter with Priam in which they share their complementary grief. Priam mourns for his dead son and Achilles for the father whom he is fated never to see again. Has Achilles changed in response to events in the Iliad and in particular in response to the ramifications of his own actions?

Andromache, Hecuba and Helen lament Hector's death. What qualities do they mourn the loss of? What fate does Andromache see for herself and her son?

What attitudes toward fate, death, and burial emerge in this book?

In lines 501 ff., Priam says, "oh my child how good it is to give the gods gifts." Why? What is the purpose of gift-giving?

What role do pity, compassion, and humanity play ?

The Iliad ends with Troy still standing and Achilles still alive. Why do you think it ends at this point? (hint: look back at the opening of book 1: what is the Iliad really about?)

Updated Monday, 08-Sep-2003 12:21:07 CDT