The Iliad

1. The Iliad By Homer (not Simpson)

2. Homer • Homer is thought to have been born between 700 and 1000 B.C. • According to tradition, he was blind. • He composed these tales orally by assembling a number of earlier and shorter narrative songs.

3. BOOK-ONE-INVOCATION Homer begins by announcing the subject and asking a Muse—one of the nine goddesses of the arts, literature, and sciences—to inspire and help him write.

4. The Iliad TheIliadis an epic poem that is a significant piece of literature. Iliad translates into “A poem about a Lion” There are 24 books, each book was written on a scroll and would have taken about an hour for the bard to recite (sing)

5. The Iliad Vocab • An epic is a long narrative poem about the adventures of a hero whose actions reflect the ideals and values of a nation or race.

6. The IliadVocab Epic Hero • An epic hero is a larger-than-life figure who embodies the ideals of a nation or race. • Epic heroes take on long, dangerous adventures and accomplish great deeds • They are known for having great courage and often possess superhuman strength

7. The Iliad Epic Hero Examples of Epic Heroes • Beowulf • Frodo • Hercules • King Arthur • Achilles • Luke Skywalker

8. The Iliad Vocab Epic Simile (Homeric Simile) • An epic simile (aka. Homeric simile). It compares unlike subjects. Epic similes contain words such as like, or as, and may extend for a number of lines. • In this example, Homer compares talks of truce to alliances between men and lions and wolves and sheep.

9. The Iliad Epic Simile “Hector, I’ll have no talk of pacts with you, Forever unforgiven as you are. (Line 89) As between men and lions there are none, no concord between wolves and sheep, but all hold one another hateful through and through, so there can be no courtesy between us.

10. The Iliad The Odyssey, with Odysseus and his men, is the sequel to the Iliad. In other words, the Odyssey picks up where the Iliad left off.

11. The Iliad-The Trojan War • Greece and Troy were traditionally rivals. Their quarreling finally led to a 10 year war. • It started with the love story of Paris and Helen (the most beautiful woman) aka Helen of Troy.

12. The Iliad—The Trojan War • Paris takes Helen back to Troy as his wife • Helen is already married to King Menelaus

14. The Iliad—The Trojan War • Helen is the daughter of Zeus and Leda • Leda was raped by Zeus in the form of a Swan • Helen was hatched 9 months later

15. The Iliad--Achilles • Achilles is the epic hero in The Iliad. • Kleos—everlasting glory • He is a great warrior but is not known for his intelligence

16. The Odyssey—Odysseus, the Hero Odysseus is one of the first Greek mythic heroes renowned for his guile as well as his muscle. The Iliad begins with Wrath The Odyssey begins with Man

17. Achilles Heel • Ironically, Achilles is killed by a poison arrow to the only vulnerable place on his body—His heel.

18. Achilles Heel (a weakness) Achilles had been dipped Into The River Styx as a baby. His heel was the only part of his body not protected.

19. The Iliad—The Trojan War • We begin in medias res; Achilles is sulking in his tent while his soldiers are losing to the Trojans • Patroclus, Achilles best friend, takes his armor and is killed by Hector • Achilles’ mother and goddess, Thetis, visits him as he laments the loss of his friend

20. The Iliad—The Trojan War • Achilles complains that Hector has killed Patroclus and taken his armor • He vows vengeance on Hector • Thetis reminds him that Hector’s death will result in hastening his own • Achilles doesn’t care • He reminds his mother that everyone dies, even the great hero Heracles

22. The Iliad—The Trojan War • Achilles goes to fight Hector • Apollo intervenes by opening Troy’s gates, saving all Trojans except Hector • Achilles chases Hector around the walls three times • Athena disguises herself as Hector’s brother, Deiphobus, and convinces Hector to stand and fight

23. The Iliad—The Trojan War • Hector attempts to get Achilles to agree to that the victor will allow a proper burial to the defeated • In an epic simile, Achilles likens this pact to an agreement between men and lions • He stubbornly refuses to honor the pact

24. The Iliad—The Trojan War • Achilles talks more trash to Hector • The duel is on • Achilles throws his only spear and misses • Unbeknownst to Hector, Athena has retrieved Achilles’ spear • Now, Hector throws his only spear • A glancing blow off Achilles’ shield

25. The Iliad—The Trojan War • Hector calls out for Deiphobus to bring him a new spear • He realizes he has been tricked by Athena • Hector gathers his courage and attacks Achilles knowing this is the end • Hector is wearing Achilles’ armor and Achilles knows the vulnerable point—the throat

26. The Iliad—The Trojan War • Achilles drives the spear into Hector’s throat, not severing his windpipe • Hector is able to beg Achilles to allow his parents to bury him so that his soul can go to the underworld in peace • Hard-hearted Achilles refuses • Hector advises Achilles that this sin could anger the gods against him

27. The Iliad—The Trojan War • Achilles swears to accept whatever punishment Zeus desires • Other Achaeans (Greeks) joined Achilles in stabbing Hector’s dead body • Achilles discontinues the battle with the Trojans while he sees to the burial of Patroclus

28. The Iliad—The Trojan War • Achilles defiles and desecrates Hector’s body by dragging it around the city as Hector’s parents watched • Priam, King of Troy and Hector’s father, goesto beg Achilles to give him his son’s body • Hermes assists Priam by putting the sentries to sleep so that he can go to Achilles tent

29. The Iliad—The Trojan WarA Grace given in Sorrow (book 24) • King Priam humbles himself to Achilles, kissing his hand (The hand that killed his son) • Priam begs Achilles to think of his own father and how he might feel • Priam tells Achilles that Ares (god of war) has taken all 50 of his sons

30. The Iliad—The Trojan WarA Grace given in Sorrow (book 24) • Achilles then takes the ransom for Hector • He orders that the body be cleansed and kept out of Priam’s sight for fear the defiled corpse might enrage him • Priam’s anger might get him killed • Achilles asks Patroclus to forgive him for honoring his killer

31. The Iliad—The Trojan WarA Grace given in Sorrow (book 24) • Achilles promises Priam that he may have his son at dawn • He then invites Priam for dinner—reminding him that even Niobe ate after her 12 children were slain • Achilles and Priam agree to an 11 day truce to allow the Trojans time to mourn and bury Hector

32. The Iliad—The Trojan WarA Grace given in Sorrow (book 24) • The evocation of Achilles father caused him to feel pity for King Priam • They both wept for their losses • Achilles blames Fate for their misfortune • Achilles tells Priam that his mother told him that Zeus wished the return of Hector

33. The Iliad—The Trojan War The Trojan Horse “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts” • Troy finally fell thanks to the guile of Odysseus. The Greeks pretended to give up. They built a huge wooden horse as a gift to the goddess Athena

34. The Iliad—The Trojan War

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