THE FIRST WAR: HOMER'S ILIAD

Transcription

1 THE FIRST WAR: HOMER'S ILIAD C O U R S E W E B P A G E : I N S T R U C T O R : A M Y E. B A R R a m l u k e i o n. o r g O R w w w. l u k e i o n. o r g Prepare to share a story that has been retold every generation for 3000 years. This story is no nice fairy tale with a happy ending: it explores the realities of war, greed, revenge, love, divinity, mortality, justice, honor, loyalty; human worth... the list goes on. These questions and problems plague us still today. The Iliad is so rich that some scholars spend entire careers on exploring its complex themes or mining it for information about Homer's Dark Ages. Our goal is to enjoy it for the heroic epic that it is. This class will help you unfold this ancient story and understand it better in its own context. I recommend the Stanley Lombardo translation because he does not sacrifice narrative, rhythm, tempo or meaning to bend the story into couplets or poetic English. He has preserved Homer s intentions while making it quite readable for the modern student. I also heartily recommend the translation by Robert Fagles. Since we cannot cover everything in the short time we have for each class each session, I include reading questions. Please ponder them after you have read the text, not while you are reading it. Enjoy the story uninterrupted. Use the questions as a starting point for discussion with your own family and friends or perhaps as writing prompts for your own reflective work time. Rising AP Latin students will want to pay close attention to the questions for thought below. 1 The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr

2 Reference Timeline Late Bronze Age in the Aegean (Mycenaean Age) BC Possible Time of the Trojan War: 1180 BC Greek Dark Ages BC Possible composition of the Iliad and Odyssey for oral presentation: 750 BC Greece at its height, culturally BC Alexander the Great models himself on Achilles' boldness and heroic nature BC SESSION 1: BOOKS 1-6 RAGE The beginning: the myths behind the epic Achilles withdraws Paris and Menelaus Hector SESSION 2: BOOKS 7-12 FUTILITY The archaeology of ancient Troy The gods Agamemnon retreats Diomedes and Odysseus as spies Paris wounds Diomedes, Patroclus on mission ACTUAL COVERAGE FOR EACH SESSION MAY VARY SESSION 3: BOOKS ARMOR Warfare in the Mycenaean Age Poseidon, Hera,Zeus Patroclus and Hector the body of Patroclus The Shield of Achilles SESSION 4: BOOKS LOSS Death and funerary ritual in the Bronze age Achilles reconciles The gods join the battle Achilles and Hector in front of the Trojan gates Achille s revenge Funeral games for Patroclus A father s request and resolution 2 The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr

3 QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT SESSION 1: RAGE (BOOKS 1-6) CHAPTER 1 What is the first word of the Iliad? What this word has to do with Achilles. As you read the entire text, trace how this emotion influences the course of events. Achilles is destined to lead either a long and fameless life, or a short and glorious one. His participation in the war is proof of his choice. With this in mind, what are his REAL grievances against Agamemnon? What is the real heart of the matter? Agamemnon is given special information by Zeus but does something quite strange with that knowledge, why do you think he does this? (Consider the nature of his army for the answer) CHAPTER 2 Skim the catalogue of heroes in book 2. Think: why was this included? CHAPTER 3-6 We learn some interesting things about key people in this story in chapter 3, what do we learn about the character of Paris, Hector and Menelaus? Compare and contrast the two brothers of Trojan royalty. In book 4 & 5 the gods become more involved in human affairs. How do they help or hinder? (It is helpful to keep a running list of why the gods choose size...and why they switch allegiances). Zeus Hera Athena Poseidon Aphrodite Ares Summarize the affairs of gods: how are they the same or differ from those of the mortals? What does this reveal about the relationship between gods and men according to Greek thought? Glaucus and Diomedes agree not to kill each other. Why? Compare and contrast Hector with Achilles. What motivates Hector? What motivates Achilles? Do you think Achilles always agrees with his own motives? How did Homer feel about Hector? 3 The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr

4 Who are the following? (keep track of which side they are on Homer won t help you out much after a character is first introduced). Agamemnon Achilles Mermidons Patroclus Diomedes Odysseus Nestor Homer uses Epithets (like nicknames) for all of the gods and many of the more important mortals. I will talk in class about why he does this...do you know why? 4 The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr

5 SESSION 2: HERO (BOOKS 7-12) TO D O : DEVELOP A HERO LIST WITH TWO COLUMNS: ONE FOR THE GREEKS AND ONE FOR THE TROJANS. WHAT QUALIFIES A MAN AS HEROIC IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ILIAD? WHAT KNOCKS HIM OUT OF THE CATEGORY? DEVISE CRITERIA FROM YOUR LIST. IS THERE A SHINING MOMENT FOR EACH HERO? WOULD HOMER CONSIDER A FIREFIGHTER OR A SPORTS STAR A HERO? WOULD HE CONSIDER SUPERMAN A HERO? BOOK 7 In this chapter Hector and Paris return to battle; there are more futile attempts to end the war; Hector and Ajax duel; Apollo and Athena watch "like vultures" then a truce is called to burn the bodies of the fallen warriors. What do the gods think of human built battlements? BOOK 8 Zeus bans further divine intervention. How do the other gods do at obeying Zeus? What kind of leader is Zeus? Is he most like a tyrant, dictator, king, father, or democratic ruler? Hector decides to camp on the plain; is he being reckless here? Why do you think that Homer includes the simile at the end of book 8? BOOK 9 Agamemnon admits his error and sends an embassy to Achilles, consisting of Odysseus, Phoenix and Ajax. Why does he send these three? Compare Agamemnon's instructions with what actually happens (focus on Odysseus). You will meet Odysseus again in the Odyssey. Agamemnon offers boundless riches, yet Achilles feels it is not enough to repair his honor: why? Odysseus repeats Agamemnon's speech verbatim except for the last lines: why? In general, do you feel that Achilles is being unjust or unreasonable in this book (keeping in mind the reasons for the war, and the potential outcome for Achilles?) Phoenix tells Achilles a cautionary tale about Meleager. Do you see any parallels between the myths of Meleager and Achilles? Why does Ajax seems to have the most impact on Achilles? 5 The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr

6 BOOK 10 To boost morale, Diomedes and Odysseus go out on a night raid against the Trojan camps. What does this foreshadow? Look for animal imagery why so many animal links here? BOOK 11 Many important Achaeans are injured in this chapter and then Nestor gives Patroclus the idea to wear Achilles' armor: what does this foreshadow about the fate of an average mortal like Patroclus yet what does it reveal about the nature of a true hero? BOOK 12 Look for ways in which this book set the stage for Hector's fall. Does Hector ever believe that he will survive the war? Sarpedon and Glaucus give a statement of the heroic code what is it? Why do heroes risk their lives? 6 The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr

7 SESSION 3: GODS (BOOKS 13-18) BOOK 13 Poseidon disregards Zeus directive. Why? What is Poseidon s stated relationship with Zeus? There are several other reasons why Poseidon is angry at the Trojans what are they? Are you starting to get a feel for how the gods function together in Greek religion. What type of leader is Zeus: tyrant, king, dictator, committee chairman, father? BOOK 14 Hera is pleased to be involved again. Why? What is her relationship with her husband, Zeus? BOOK 15 Zeus stops Poseidon. Is Zeus interested in the welfare of people? The politics of the Gods? Some other motivation? Homer is said to have painted the gods for the first time. What is the primary characteristic of the Greek gods that make them gods? BOOK 16 We find Patroclus making a dangerous move. Why do you think he is compelled to do this? Is Hector at fault in any way? Does Patroclus decision add to or detract from his status as hero? Does it add to or detract from Achilles status as hero? BOOK 17 Gore! What is Homer trying to say with this chapter? Is he glorifying war or is he underpinning its virtues by painting its realities clearly? Is there a point to all this gruesome detail of is Homer just being gratuitous with his gore? BOOK 18 Here is an entirely different sort of literary experience (the technical term is ekphrasis). Homer describes Achilles new armor in great detail. Why would he do this? What does the description of the decoration and themes do for the story of the Iliad? Remember Achilles two fates. He had chosen a new one up until Patroclus was killed, and then he changes his mind once more. How does such a careful description of Achilles shield serve as an ironic reminder of what Achilles is rejecting with his final fatal choice? 7 The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr

8 SESSION 4: RESOLUTION (BOOK 19-24) BOOK 19 What is Agamemnon s explanation for his behavior? What do his attitude and words really indicate? What do you make of the BOOK 20 BOOK 21 dispute over food at the council or reconciliation? What is important about the battle with the Trojan hero Aeneas? This poem was composed around 750 BC, Aeneas is remembered 700 years later in the epic poem by Virgil, The Aeneid. What role does the river Scamander play in the story? What is going on with the Theomachy (battle of the gods)? How does the planet get involved here? BOOK 22 As Hector goes to meet Achilles in war, his loved ones feel an early sense of loss yet Hector continues what does this say about his heroic role? What is his most distinctive heroic characteristic? Here are some key images used by Homer during this fight what do they BOOK 23 add to the story? Race Two springs Zeus golden scales What will be the fate of Andromache and Astyanax? Achilles rage blows out of proportion again as he abuses Hector s body what does this do to Achilles kleos? Patroclus has to appear in a dream to encourage Achilles to bury him properly what does it mean for Patroclus to not receive a proper burial? 8 The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr

9 What do we come to think of Achilles at Patroclus funeral? Why Greek Games at Patroclus funeral? BOOK 24 How do the gods and other fighters view Achilles abuse of Hector s corpse? What types of ritual and customs are observed by Priam upon entering Achilles tent? Why does the Iliad end with the funeral of Hector? What do you think Homer was trying to say about Achilles plan to be remembered forever? Who in the end wins everlasting fame as an honorable hero? 9 The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr