book 4
Book 4: Pandarus Breaks the Truce
Plot Summary:
Athene, disguised as the Trojan Laodocus, encourages the warrior Pandarus to fire an arrow into the Greek ranks and break the truce. The arrow hits Menelaus, but Athene ensures that the wound is not fatal. Agamemnon rallies the dispirited forces, picking out certain leaders for praise and encouraging others of shirking their duty. Battle restarts between the two forces; Athene and Apollo encourage their favourites.
1.) What do we find out about the characters of Hera and Zeus (12), their relationship (12) and their attitudes towards mortals (11) in lines 1-68?
Hera is bitter and vengeful; Zeus is mocking and detached.
‘ox-eyed lady’
‘I choose one where favourites of yours are living’ / ‘King of Gods’
Their relationship is tense and argumentative.
‘now tried to irritate Hera by needling (provoke or annoy) her’
‘Hera could not contain her rage and spoke out’
‘I am eldest by birth’
‘Three towns I love best are Argos, Sparta and Mycenae’
‘I am your acknowledged wife’
They treat mortals like playthings for divine pride and rivalry.
‘I choose one where favourites of yours are living’
‘Sack those, whenever they incur your hatred’
2.) How does Athene go about persuading Pandarus (11) to shoot an arrow at Menelaus and break the truce in lines 86-103?
Disguised as Laodocus, she flatters Pandarus with promises of fame and gifts.
Tricks him into breaking the truce by shooting Menelaus.
3.) How does Homer build up tension before the firing of Pandarus’ arrow in lines 104-127?
Slow, detailed description of Pandarus preparing his bow builds suspense.
The “singing bowstring” and dramatic irony heighten tension before disaster.
4.) How does Homer evoke pathos for Menelaus (11) in lines 128-148?
Menelaus is unfairly wounded despite keeping the truce.
Homer shows his pain and blood vividly, making readers pity him.
5.) How does Agamemnon come across in his reaction to the injury of Menelaus (7) in lines 149-198? Is he only concerned for his brother’s welfare? How does Menelaus come across in contrast (4)?
Agamemnon is dramatic and partly self-interested, fearing shame.
Menelaus is calm and brave, focused on the battle, not pity.
6.) How do you rate Agamemnon’ leadership (7) during his epipolesis (review of the troops) in lines 224-411? How does his manner compare with earlier?
Energetic but inconsistent — praises strong leaders, scolds others.
Motivates through anger and pride rather than steady authority.
7.) In lines 224-421 what do we find out about the characters/leadership of the following characters: Ajax and Teucer (6), Odysseus (6), Nestor (5), Diomedes and Sthenelus (6)?
Ajax & Teucer: Brave, cooperative teamwork.
Odysseus: Calm, self-controlled under criticism.
Nestor: Wise and encouraging strategist.
Diomedes & Sthenelus: Skilled but proud; Diomedes is disciplined, Sthenelus boastful.
8.) How are the Greeks and Trojans contrasted in lines 422-438? How does Homer use similes to achieve this?
Greeks: silent, disciplined, compared to wolves/lions.
Trojans: noisy, disorganised, compared to birds or sheep.
Similes highlight order vs. chaos.
9.) How does Homer portray warfare in lines 439-545? Refer to specific detail and continue on another piece of paper.
Realistic, bloody, and chaotic — both glorious and horrific.
Gods interfere; individual duels show courage and tragedy.
‘Now she (Ares) too swept in among the trojans and greeks, filling them with hatred of one another and ensuring death cries of more and more men.’ – war in the ancient greek times is never actually just between the opposing sides - there’s always some kind of divine intervention from the Gods.
‘a great roar went up’ – animalistic imagery, so the war between the trojans and the greeks was animalistic - with no mercy, morals, a sense of dehumanisation, blood shed and consumption of the opposing side – taking land, women and children.
‘Darkness engulfed his eyes’ – euphemism for death, emphasises the suddenness of death, imagery of wars brutality, reflects how fragile human life is, ‘darkness’ could be alluding to hades and the underworld – every warrior meets his end, the warriors seek kleos however death is unavoidable. Vivid animalistic and bloody imagery.
‘eager to strip him of his armour’ – armour is something that protects you – trying to strip him of his life, identity – specific armour for each side so taking that away from him almost takes away his purpose and worth, armour is a symbol of kleos, armour is someone’s belongings – dehumanising him – taking what’s worth, almost like vultures stripping a carcass, the man is already dead without his armour, cycle of violence – war feeds on itself, armour could symbolise his name and identity
Simoisus just died yet Homer mentions ‘the branches sprouting out at the top’ – contrast between life and death – very sudden, war will go on and leave you behind – the trojan and greek warriors will not get the kleos they had hoped for – propaganda?
‘Darkness engulfed his eyes’ – repeated throughout the poem – highlights the brutality of war and how anybody could lose their life. Death does not discriminate.