The Iliad

A. The whole reason for the Trojan war was the kidnapping of Helen. While this seems insignificant it became a large conflict and continued for many years causing thousands of unnecessary deaths. I think this is relatable to the current issue of religion and how people do not want to tolerate anybody different than them. Because of these people’s intolerance wars have been fought, and hostility created between different groups of people.


C. I was a bit confused when the god Pallas assumed the form of Hector’s brother Deiphoubs. Hector seems relieved at first “Hector saw him with delight, and thus strengthened stopped his flight and turned to meet Achilles.” After Pallas stops Hector he disappears leaving Hector alone to face Achilles. He makes a remark about how he was deceived and his brother was still in Troy. It would seem that Hector would have bee able to make that connection earlier since his brother had not been there for some time.



D. “Achilles approached, terrible as Mars, his armor flashing lightning as he moved. At that sight Hector’s heart failed him and he fled.” I enjoyed this quote because it shows how imposing Achilles is by comparing him to the god of war and his armor to lightning. I think by comparing his armor to lighting it metaphorically shows the rage emanating form him.

The Iliad (post by Nicco Vanible)
C. When the story explained of the gods and their parties, “The gods and goddesses interested themselves as much in this famous war as the parties themselves,” I was wondering if this sort of incident came up before. Since Greek Mythology has their own weird logic on situations, when it came to war, I’m wondering if they chose sides based on trivial things like the fairest lady, or if there is a more political side to it that either benefits them (i.e. amusement/entertainment) or do they just pick sides for the fun of it.
D. When Achilles’ friend breaks down, “Achilles heard the fate of his friends with such distress that Antilochus feared for a while that he would destroy himself,” I felt that this ties in directly to Antilochus’ interactions and significance throughout the war. Not only might it be stressful to risk his life, but he probably experienced other dreadful and devastating incidents that lead him to mentally break down like that. In addition, his mental weakness could be all of the pressure of this war, as it is winner takes all. Making the slightest mistake, could easily end up being his last.
E. With the council and the disgust towards Agamemnon, “Renouncing his displeasure against Agamemnon and bitterly lamenting the miseries that had resulted from it, he called on them to proceed at once to the field,” I was excited, as I easily picked up on the tension that was arising in the story. With Achilles’ speech about his hatred for Agamemnon, I knew the intensity was going to reach its peak soon. I felt that he clearly gave his points, and admired how confident he was to go back to war and finish the job that he is determined to see through to the end.

C. Did Achilles give up his girl before he returned to Greece or did he return with her? "Achilles submitted, but forthwith declared that he would take no further part in the war " (par 1) and "it also said Achilles to share in the spoil " (par1). Was the spoil a girl? And if it was did he get her?

D. I enjoyed the line " The gods and the goddesses interested themselves as much in this famous war as the parties themselves. " (par 2). I enjoyed it because I thought it was funny that while the mortals were fighting and dying that the gods and goddesses were partying. When I reread this line again I realized that the parties were actually political and not what I first thought.

E. Patroclus was strongly moved with this address, and hastened back to Achilles, revolving in his mind all he had seen and heard. Patroclus is trying to save the people who he knows through war. Diomede, Ulyssesr, Agamemnon, and Machaon are all held captive Achilles agrees to send his army and told them to try and rescue them because if you continue the war and lose you'll embarrass me. My reaction is that Achilles knows he's already going to lose so that's why didn't want to go. I feel like he's only supporting Patroclus on the outside because he will not go only send his troops who might be feeling that they were abandoned because they are being sent to their death.