Homer's Iliad Study Questions

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The Iliad, Homer

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48) Three of the gift-offerings Agamemnon will make to the implacable Achilles are seven tripods never touched by fire, ten bars of gold, and twenty burnished cauldrons. He makes rather diverse and interesting offerings. The return of Briseus' daughter is perhaps the most significant.

49) Odysseus presents Agamemnon’s offer to Achilles, but Achilles immediately rejects it. Odysseus editorializes or puts a more positive spin on Agamemnon’s ostensible apology by speaking of even more gifts and reminding Achilles that he now can kill Hector. Achilles still intends to live a long prosaic life and return home, as opposed to dying gloriously in battle.

50) Agamemnon makes Odysseus, Ajax, and Phoenix try to convince Achilles to return to battle. Odysseus warns Achilles that he will regret it if he waits too long. Phoenix speaks of the ancient story of Meleager and reminds Achilles that he has been a father-like figure towards him. Ajax calls Achilles unforgiving and suggests that those trying to convince him should just leave. Odysseus emphasizes that Achilles can now kill Hector, Phoenix reminds Achilles that the Achaeans need him, and Ajax is a little harder on Achilles, but speaks of similar principal values. It seems as if they have made some progress, but the embassy still returns to Agamemnon unsuccessful.

51) Agamemnon plans to heighten the sense of solidarity and obligation among the Achaeans by showing them respect and promising them that if they help, there will be patronage. He refuses to let many of his men sleep.

52) Diomedes and Odysseus will go on the reconnaissance missions and hope to find out about various Trojan plans. Hector on the other hand wants to know if the Achaeans...

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...Apollo.

95) Five of the events at the funeral games include boxing, spear throwing, wrestling, archery, and a chariot race. Following the chariot race presents were painstakingly allotted to Eumelus, Antilochus, and Menelaus. Unfortunately, there was a lot of arguing. As I understand it Eumelus walked away with breastplate, Antilochus with a mare, and Menelaus with a polished cauldron. This gift exchange is quite dramatic.

96) The celebration of victory in war is different from the victory in the funeral games in that it is a solemn and grim occasion, whereas the celebration of victory in the funeral games is dynamic and spirited. During the former those involved come to dark realizations, however during the latter Hector’s life is celebrated. Homer’s depiction of war is not common and in many other ancient Greek representations success in war is quite glorious.

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