Lecture Notes: The Iliad, Book One

Introduction to the Trojan War

• Setting: 10th year of the Trojan War
• Key Characters:
  • Achilles: Greatest fighter for the Achaeans
  • Agamemnon: King of the Greeks

Conflict Begins

• Chryseis Incident:
  • Chryseis, daughter of a priest of Apollo, taken by Agamemnon
  • Priest calls Apollo, who sends a plague upon the Greek army

Achilles vs. Agamemnon

• Achilles' Advice:
  • Urges Agamemnon to return Chryseis to stop the plague
  • Agamemnon refuses, demands pride restoration
• Agamemnon's Demand:
  • Claims Briseis, Achilles' prize

Divine Interventions

• Athena's Role:
  • Stops Achilles from killing Agamemnon
• Thetis and Zeus:
  • Thetis, Achilles' mother, secures a promise from Zeus
  • Achaeans to lose the war until Achilles' honor is restored

Themes

• Consequences of Rage:
  • Achilles' rage central to the plot
• Pride and Honor:
  • Honor is sacred in Greek culture
  • Loss of a prize equals loss of honor

Insults and Honor

• Agamemnon and Achilles' Conflict:
  • Insults exchanged, affecting both human and divine pride
  • Agamemnon insults both Achilles and the gods

Role of the Gods

• Divine Influence:
  • Gods like Hera, Apollo, Athena intervene in human affairs
  • Internal motivations linked to divine actions

Conclusion

• Human Nature and the Divine:
  • Conflict rooted in human nature but driven by divine influence
  • Athena's intervention highlights the uncontrollable nature of Achilles' rage