The Iliad

1. The Iliad Book I, �The Rage of Achilles� 106-22 Book VI, �Hector Returns to Troy� 122-31 Book XXII, �The Death of Hector� 173-86

2. EPIC A long, narrative poem in elevated style about significant heroes and events Myths carefully arranged A �textbook� for an entire college education (theology, history, science, sociology, psychology, political science, and literature)

3. Background The judgment of Paris, Helen, the Trojan war, how battles were fought, how �king� was determined, prizes from victories, feasting, nature of the gods Archetypes (Achilles, Agamemnon, war, among others) Hospitality (page 107) and feasting (page 118)

4. Literary Considerations Archetypes (Achilles, Agamemnon, Hector, Andromache, Paris, Helen) Settings Arrangements (plot) Irony Epic simile

5. Human names to remember GREEKS Achilles Agamemnon Menelaus Patroclus Calchas Nestor Diomedes TROJANS Hector Priam Glaucus Andromache Hecuba Paris Helen (but she�s really Greek)

6. God and Goddess Names Apollo Athena Zeus Hera Ares Thetis

7. Book I What does the plot of �The Rage of Achilles� contribute to the book�s meaning? On the basis of Book I, what is the purpose of life? What gives life meaning? What does Book I teach about the epic�s named subject, rage?

8. Book VI How does Hector contrast with both Achilles and Agamemnon? On the basis of Book VI, what is the Greek definition of �civilization�? Why is the episode between Glaucus and Diomedes placed where it is? What relationship between human responsibility (free will), the gods� will, and fate is beginning to emerge?

9. Book XXII What are the dangers and benefits of rage? What should be the purpose of war? How many character/character and event/event contrasts can you identify now that we have read three books of the epic? What themes can you state about the subjects Homer has explored?

10. Uniquely Greek values Council and oratory The nature of the hero The balance between group and individual needs and desires Law and government

11. The Nature of Greek Values Honor? Leadership? Heroism? Love? Hospitality? Law and Government? Human responsibilities and the gods� will? Balance? Teamwork? Council? Family? Feasting? War?

12. Links to Gilgamesh The nature of the gods The nature of the ordinary person The responsibilities of the leader The desire for fame and honor

13. Comparisons/Contrasts with Abraham Talking to the Divine Understanding �punishment� The value of obedience Attitudes toward violence Necessity of hospitality

14. Potential Exam Questions, Book I What prompted Apollo to send a plague on the Greek army? Why Apollo? How is the plague pictured? Identify three reasons the Greeks came to Troy.

15. Potential Exam Questions, Book VI What are the Greek gender roles? How does the Iliad complicate the Trojan War beyond a simple battle between good and evil? How are Hector and Paris different when it comes to fighting in the war? Why did Homer include Glaucus� speech about his family�s background?

16. Potential exam questions, Book XXII Why did Hector refuse to listen to his parents� plea not to face Achilles alone? Women (including goddesses) seem to play three roles in the Iliad. What are they? Being specific, explain how Hector represents civilization while Achilles represents rage. What do the Greeks understand human nature to be like? What, then, would the ideal hero be like?