Notes on The Iliad Lecture

Overview

• The Iliad is an epic poem over 600 pages long, originally passed down orally.
• Features a vast number of characters, but key figures are:
  • Trojans: Hector, Paris, Helen
  • Greeks: Achilles, Patroclus, Odysseus, Agamemnon, Diomedes, Ajax the Greater, Ajax the Lesser
• The name "Iliad" comes from "Ilion" (Troy), meaning "Troy story."

Book Summaries

Book 1

• Conflict: Begins 9 years into the Trojan War.
• Agamemnon vs. Achilles: Agamemnon refuses to return a captive, causing a plague by Apollo.
• Achilles' Anger: Achilles withdraws from battle after Agamemnon demands his captive Briseis.
• Divine Intervention: Achilles’ mother, Thetis, persuades Zeus to favor the Trojans.

Book 2

• Zeus’ Deception: Sends dreams to Agamemnon to attack, falsely promising victory.
• Trojan Preparation: Hector receives a similar message.

Book 3

• Helen's Role: Describes the Greek forces, filled with self-loathing.
• Duel: Menelaus challenges Paris; Aphrodite saves Paris.
• Backstory: Covers the Judgement of Paris and how Aphrodite caused the war.

Book 4

• Chaos Resumes: Gods decide chaos is more fun; Athena instigates fighting.

Book 5

• Diomedes' Prowess: Diomedes excels in battle, injures Aphrodite.
• Gods in Battle: Interaction with Apollo and Ares.

Book 6

• Appeal to Athena: Hector asks women to pray to Athena.

Book 7

• Single Combat: Hector fights Great Ajax, ends in draw.

Book 8

• Battle Shifts: Trojans begin to win.

Book 9

• Greek Desperation: Agamemnon suggests retreat; Diomedes opposes.
• Embassy to Achilles: Attempts to persuade Achilles to return.

Book 10

• Night Raid: Odysseus and Diomedes infiltrate Trojan camp.

Book 11

• Agamemnon's Success: Another battle ensues; Greeks are pushed back.

Book 12-15

• Tidal Battle: Shifts in favor of Trojans and Greeks continuously, due to divine interventions.

Book 16

• Patroclus' Death: Patroclus joins battle in Achilles’ armor, is killed by Hector.

Book 17

• Defense of Patroclus: Greeks defend Patroclus' body.

Book 18

• Achilles’ Rage: Anguish over Patroclus' death.
• Preparation: New armor is forged by Hephaestus.

Book 19-21

• Achilles' Return: Returns to battle, unstoppable.
• Battle with River: Fights a river after causing it to overflow with corpses.

Book 22

• Hector's Death: Achilles kills Hector in a dramatic chase and desecrates his body.

Book 23-24

• Mourning and Games: Funeral games for Patroclus.
• Achilles' Fate: Narrative mentions Achilles’ eventual death by Paris.

Key Themes

• Mortality and Honor: Explores the heroics and tragic fates of warriors.
• Divine Influence: Depicts gods as active participants, influencing human actions.
• Heroism vs. Hubris: Central conflict between personal pride and communal duty.

Analysis

• Character Dynamics: Explores relationships, particularly Achilles and Patroclus.
• Impact of Divine Intervention: How gods' whims alter the course of human events.
• Cultural Reflection: Reflects Greek values of honor, glory, and fate.