Lecture Notes: Book 5 of the Iliad

Key Events and Characters

• Athena Empowers Diomedes:

  • Diomedes is granted strength and the ability to see gods on the battlefield by Athena.
  • He is instructed to attack Aphrodite.

• Battlefield Actions:

  • Diomedes is wounded by the archer Pandarus.
  • Athena renews his strength, allowing him to defeat Pandarus.
  • Diomedes injures Aeneas with a boulder.
  • Aphrodite attempts to save Aeneas but is injured by Diomedes.

• Divine Intervention:

  • Apollo saves Aeneas and brings Ares back to fight.
  • Hera and Athena prepare for war with Zeus's permission.
  • Athena helps Diomedes wound Ares, forcing him to retreat.

Themes and Analysis

• Heroism and Divine Influence:

  • Diomedes' success is largely due to divine assistance from Athena.
  • His triumphs are depicted with epic similes, likening him to natural forces and fierce animals.

• Gods and Mortals:

  • Gods, such as Aphrodite and Ares, display petty concerns and overreact to injuries.
  • Mortals are often caught in the gods' conflicts, with little regard from the gods.

• Battle Patterns:

  • Vengeance and taunting are recurring themes.
  • Comrades challenge each other to uphold their honor in battle.
  • The narration alternates between Achaeans and Trojans, maintaining suspense and balance.

Literary Devices

• Epic Similes: Used to describe Diomedes' ferocity and prowess in battle.
• Contrasts: Highlight the difference between divine and mortal reactions to injury.

Summary

Book 5 of the Iliad showcases the interplay between gods and mortals, focusing on Diomedes' divinely-enhanced feats on the battlefield. The gods’ involvement appears trivial against the backdrop of human warfare, emphasizing themes of honor, vengeance, and the capricious nature of divine beings.