Transcript The Iliad

The Iliad
by Homer
Socratic Seminar:
Discussion Questions
1. What makes a hero?
2. What makes a good leader?
3. Girls, would you allow a war to be started over
you? A fight?
4. Boys, would you start a war over a girl?
5. Would you fight for a family member even if
you knew they were wrong?
6. Is war ever a good idea?
7. When a politician today does not win, who or
what does he blame it on?
8. In society how do we gain glory?
9. How do you control your rage?
10. What is hubris? Who is someone who is
hubris?
Elements of the Epic
 An extended narrative poem recounting
actions, travels, adventures, specific
rhyme, and heroic episodes and written
in a high style (with ennobled diction).
 These elements helped them to
memorize the poem.
Epic Structure
 Invocation to the muse or other deity ("Sing,
goddess, of the wrath of Achilles")
 Story begins in medias res (in the middle of things)
 Catalogs (of participants on each side, ships, sacrifices)
 Histories and descriptions of significant items (who made a
sword or shield, how it was decorated, who owned it from
generation to generation)
 Epic simile (a long simile where the image becomes an object
of art in its own right as well as serving to clarify the subject).
Epic Structure –Cont. Frequent use of epithets ("Aeneas the true"; "rosyfingered Dawn"; "tall-masted ship")
 Use of patronymics (calling son by father's name):
"Anchises' son"
 Long, formal speeches by important characters
 Journey to the underworld
 Use of the number three (attempts are made three
times, etc.)
 Previous episodes in the story are later recounted
The Epic Hero Cycle
1. The main character is a hero, who is
often possessed of supernatural abilities or qualities.
2. The hero is charged with a quest.
3. The hero is tested, often to prove the worthiness of himself
and his quest.
4. The presence of numerous mythical beings, magical and
helpful animals, and human helpers and companions
5. The hero’s travels take him to a supernatural world, often one
that normal human beings are barred from entering.
6. The cycle must reach a low point where the hero nearly gives
up his quest or appears defeated.
7. A resurrection.
8. Restitution. Often this takes the form of the hero regaining his
rightful place on the throne.
Homer, the epic poet
 Classical Greek Poet
 Told stories orally
 Is known for capturing and passing down
Greek Mythology and The Iliad and The
Odyssey
 He wrote about preserving honor. Honor
is the most important thing.
The Iliad: Why Do We
Study It?
 Learn a little about an ancient world whose ideas have
greatly influenced our own world
 Be familiar with the first piece of literature the western
world has to offer
 Discover an eventful, exciting war story.
 Gain insight into the minds of men in the desperate
circumstances of war
Themes in The Iliad
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Rage
Glory of War
Role of Women in Ancient Civilization
Military and glory over family
Human life and the role of the gods
Hubris
Pre-Iliad
 Paris/ Alexandros takes Helen back to Troy
 Hera and Athena have hate for Troy and
Aphrodite because Paris says Aphrodite is the
most beautiful.
 Greeks and Trojans have been in war for 9
years.
 Agamemnon steals the duaghters of Apollo’s
priest and then Apollo plagues the city.
A Clip Introduction to the
Iliad
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADN
WwTmgKbw
Independent Writing:
 You will have 5 minutes to brainstorm and then
20 minutes to write 2-3 paragraphs answering
the following questions:
 How can modern society define a hero? Who is
an example of a hero? What makes him or her
heroic?
 I will be looking for a strong thesis statement,
development, and specific details.