Eurolit Homework 9/13/18

Read: Iliad Books XIV & XV

Eurolit Notes 9/13/18

Book IX

Overture - an introduction to something more substantial.

p. 172 The passage that begins “My divine mother….” is important!

In this whole story, only one character changes (Achilles). “The wrath of Achilles is my theme.” What changes? He is going to lose his wrath. This passage reveals Achilles internal struggle: whether or not to kill Hector. 

Homer uses repetition throughout — about 1/3 of the work is repetition. 

p. 213

The passage that begins “And so it happened that the great Achilles….” is very important! 

We already know what happened - Achilles will join the battle again and Patroclus will die. This is the beginning of the end of Patroclus. 

Achilles cannot look like he is too anxious to join the battle, so he sends Patroclus instead. 

p. 218

The passage that begins “Who knows, a friends advice….” is important!

Nestor plants the seed in Patroclus’ head to convince Achilles to allow Patroclus to wear Achilles’ armor. His aim is to make the Trojans think that Achilles had re-entered the battle and scare them off.