The Iliad scholars

What does Carey say about heroism 3

The major heroes of the Iliad were heroes of a by-gone age, where Gods and Mortals were a lot closer, they’re not like men today

Heroes have an immense sense of self-importance but it is not vanity

The relentless pressure of death gives the heroes meaning to their lives, making them ‘heroic.’

What does Allan say about heroism

The heroes of the iliad have to balance their desire for personal with the demands of their community

What does Rieu say about heroism

Achilles is right to feel insulted by Agamemnon’s arrogant behaviour, but he is wrong to reject the embassy.

What does Hinrichs say about heroism

Hector is clearly presented as heroic which is evident in the real love Andromache feels for him and her grief after he is killed, in contrast to the disdain Helen clearly feels for Paris

Achilles’ anger contrasts to Patroclus’ compassion and sympathy for his fellow Greeks

What does Hinrichs say about War - Glory/Suffering

Homer depicts not only the suffering of war but also its exhileration

What does McCoy say about death of heroes

Heroes are depicted as vulnerable and their conflicts arise because of their awareness of their mortality and legacy. Contrast of mortals and immortals.

What does Silk say about The Gods

Having the attention of the Gods - pity or hatred - shows how important the heroes are, even making them more heroic.

What does Silk say about love

There is no romantic love depicted in the Iliad

What does Hinrichs say about Hector and Andromache

The love between Hector and Andromache is evident in Andromache’s reaction to his death where she doesn’t say he is destroyed but that she is destroyed.

What does Carey say about life in the Trojan camp

The long desc. of where women washed laundry in Book 22 when Hector chases Achilles: The world of peace has been destroyed by the destructive nature of war.

What does Edith Hall say about Women

The Greeks, in the end, win the Trojan War essentially because the Trojans have women around and the women act as distractions.

What does Blondell say about women 2

Helen’s role as a symbol of war is very important as she provides a noble reason for the Greeks to go to war.

Her self loathing speech is not necessarily genuine but more a survival technique

What does Greensmith say about women

Despite living in a man’s world, the women in the Iliad have a powerful part to play.
Helen defies the gender divide and discusses the war with men, Andromache is often seen advice and gives her husband precise military advice.

What does Griffin say about Thetis

Thetis is humanised as a mother but she remains a Goddess

What does Jones say about Hector and Andromache

The meeting between Hector and Andromache doesn’t show Andromache trying to restrain her husband but rather that men and women are co-dependent on one another although their lives are separate.

What does Powell say about the role of the gods/fate

The gods are all powerful and that whatever happens the Gods are behind it.

What does Leigh say about gods/fate

While self determination and fate are finely balanced, another major factor is the nature of the heroes and how they have been conditioned to think and act.

What does Allan say about gods/fate? 2

Zeus is presented as having ultimate control but he also has to face the consequences of that

The gods are presented as less than the heroes because they are immortal and have less to lose

What does Rieu say about anger

The focus of the story is not about the Trojan war but Achilles’ anger

What does Verity say about anger 2

Achilles’ anger “animates the whole poem”

Achilles’ anger starts about his stolen honour but then turns into anger about Patroclus’ death

What does Hinrichs say about narrative techniques

Homer enlivens the narrative by his portrayal of character, particularly in the contrasts

What does Makrinos say about speeches 2

The speeches achieve characterisation, promotion of the plot and intensification of emotion

Internal dialogues are also very powerful at creating emotion

What does Makrinos say about the poem

It’s so popular today because it explores the human condition

What does Hinrichs say about Book 24

It shows compassion has triumphed over vengeance.