Paris In The Iliad

#1: What major decision does Paris make on p. 130-131? What does Hektor say to his brother to provoke this? Are you surprised at how critical Hektor is? Do you think Hektor’s feelings about Paris are shared among the Trojans? Is Paris’ decision noble or something else?

On p. 130-131, Paris makes the decision to duel to the death with Menelaus. In order to provoke this, Hektor says, “So, you can’t stand up to the battling Menelaus? You’d soon feel his force, that man you robbed of his sumptuous, warm wife! […] What cowards the men of Troy – or years ago they’d have […] stoned you to death for all the wrongs you’ve done!” Hektor speaks not only for himself, but also for the entire Trojan army. They do not want to fight a second longer.

Hektor

and the Trojans know that only Paris and Menelaus can settle this feud, and it is apparent they have been waiting many years for this moment. Paris is the only one who can end it because it would be dishonorable for Menelaus to issue a challenge; he knows he will win.

Paris acknowledges Hektor has a point, responding, “________.”
However, Paris does not directly challenge Menelaus.

This implies that he simply gives into Hektor’s constant plea for a fight, reflecting a sibling dynamic. Thus, Paris’ decision is less noble and more a reaction to Hektor’s complaints. Furthermore, through Paris’ lack of a direct challenge to Menelaus, it becomes apparent to readers that he does not fully intend to challenge him. Hektor knows that Paris’ challenge to Menelaus is half-hearted. Therefore, in order to ensure that Paris cannot back down, he announces this to the entire army.

#2: Why do you think Homer includes the scene of Helen describing the Achaean champions to Priam? What do you notice about Helen in this scene? Is she sincere? This is the first time we see enemies assessing one another. What is Priam’s attitude toward the Argive force? What does this show us about Priam? What would you expect his attitude to be?

Homer includes the scene of Helen describing the Achaean champions to Priam in order to gauge Helen’s reactions to the champions. Furthermore, Homer also includes this scene in order to give readers an understanding of how the Trojans view the Achaeans. To begin with, it is quite odd that Priam does not mention Menelaus, and pretends not to know Agamemnon by sight. After all, he is a central figure in the Trojan War. Therefore, Priam most likely pretends not to know Agamemnon by sight in order to understand where Helen’s loyalties

lie.

It is implied that Helen is sincere. However, there is a shadow of a doubt regarding Helen’s sincerity because she is the cause of a massive war that has caused the suffering of many, especially Priam. She may want to

Priam’s attitude toward the Argive force is that of admiration. He _________. This shows us that Priam

#3: How does the duel go? Who intervenes? Were you expecting this turn of events? What did you want to happen? After this scene, how do you feel about the gods entering the affairs of men? How does Helen feel about them?

#4: By the end of Book III, what do you think of Helen? Is she a pawn in the hands of greater powers, or a manipulative figure in the course of events? What do you think about how she treats Paris when he returns from the duel? What do you think of the most handsome man on earth?
Throughout Book III, Helen is depicted in a most favorable light. To begin with, she says, “If only death had pleased me then, grim death, that day I followed your son to Troy, forsaking my marriage bed, my kinsmen and my child, my favorite, now full-grown, and the lovely comradeship of women my own age.” In addition to accentuating her lonely state and evoking pity for herself, Helen also expresses very clearly her regret in being partly responsible for the Trojan War. Homer implies that Helen is a pawn in the hands of greater powers because it is as

#5: Look at Book IV’s opening scene on Olympus.

At the beginning, what does Zeus say to Hera and why? What deal do they eventually strike? What does this say about Hera? What final term of the deal they strike does Athena zoom down to carry out? How, specifically, does the battle reignite?

At the beginning of Book IV’s opening scene on Olympus, Zeus tells Hera that

#6: What do you think of Agamemnon’s response to Menelaus’ injury and to the opening moments of the restarted battle? Do you have a new admiration for the Argive kings or is there a flaw to spot in his words and actions? (Make sure to provide lines in your answer).

#7: What does Agamemnon say to Odysseus and Diomedes, two of his greatest warriors? Describe the specifics of his challenges. What do you make of the severity of what he says? Is this good leadership? Who else responds after Agamemnon challenges Diomedes? What is Diomedes’ counsel to his angry comrade?

Agamemnon says to Odysseus and Diomedes, two of his greatest warriors,

“

#8: Find and provide the line describing the very beginning of fighting in the battle. What is Homer sure to include in his description of war? What does he want the reader to understand? Look at the epic simile in the same paragraph. What does this simile add to Homer’s description of war?

#9: What do you think of the final lines of Book IV? Does death have a subtle positive effect on the Trojans and Achaeans?
In the final lines of Book IV, Homer writes, “ranks of Trojans, ranks of Achaean fighters sprawled there side-by-side, facedown in the dust.” Quite ironically, even though the soldiers represent different sides of the war and strive to kill each other, they are ultimately united in death.