Lecture Notes: The Iliad - Book Two

Major Characters

• Zeus: Begins to fulfill his promise to allow the Trojans to win temporarily.
  • Portrayed as a powerful leader trying to maintain balance.
  • Indirectly manipulates the war's outcome.
• Agamemnon: Attempts to lead using reverse psychology.
  • Intimidating and powerful, yet manipulated by gods.
• Nestor: Acts as Agamemnon's advisor, supports him unconditionally.
• Athena and Hera: Greek-supporting goddesses who intervene to ensure Greeks follow their leaders.
• Calchas: Seer predicting the battle's outcome.
• Odysseus: Greek leader known for his cleverness and authority.
  • Maintains order during chaos.
• Thersites: A naysayer who mocks Agamemnon.

Plot Summary

• Zeus’ Dream to Agamemnon: Zeus sends a dream, appearing as Nestor, telling Agamemnon to charge into battle.
• Agamemnon’s Reaction: Excited, he tells his generals and uses reverse psychology on his troops, suggesting they go home.
  • Soldiers agree, causing chaos.
• Divine Intervention: Hera sends Athena to urge Odysseus to control the troops.
• Odysseus’ Authority: Uses Agamemnon’s scepter to line up the troops and silence Thersites.
• Agamemnon’s Speech: Rallies troops against Trojans, despite Zeus not promising immediate victory.
• Troop Lineup: Lists Greek and Trojan heroes.

Key Features of Book Two

Invocation of the Muse

• A call to the Muses to aid in recounting the story and listing the heroes.

Epic Tradition Elements

• Heroic Lineup: Introduction of major characters and heroes.
• Epic Similes: Extended similes comparing war scenes to natural phenomena.
• Repetition: A common device in oral tradition for memorization.

Literary Devices

• Personification: Gods represent personified ideas (e.g., a dream speaking to Agamemnon).
• Symbolism:
  • Scepter: Symbolizes authority and order, used by Odysseus to control the army.
• Dramatic Irony: Audience knows Agamemnon's dream is a manipulation by the gods, characters do not.

Conclusion

• Book Two emphasizes manipulation by gods, heroic qualities, and introduces key characters and themes.

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