© David Claudon, 2001.

 

New Characters and Names Introduced

• Poseidon

Thought Questions:

• What commonalities between the Achaeans and Trojans do you find in this book?
• Is Zeus' advice to Poseidon a way of explaining to Homer's contemporaries why the Achaean fortifications are no more?

Quiz on the Book:

1. What two immortal beings conspire to stop the fighting and make Hector fight one-on-one?
2. What agreement does Hector make with the Achaeans?
3. How is Great Ajax chosen?
4. What unusual about Great Ajax's shield?
5. Which of the following actions comes first in the fight between Hector and Ajax? (a) they throw rocks, (b) they throw spears, (c) they hurl insults
6. Who wins the fight?
7. What final act ends the encounter?
8. Why do they stop fighting?
9. What concession does Paris make in their council meeting?
10. What do the Acheans do the next day after burning their dead?

Book 8: The Tide of Battle Turns

Overview

Zeus holds a meeting with the gods and then goes to observe the fighting. Hector and his troops begin effectively killing Achaeans, but some Achaeans get glory also. Only night stops the fighting and Hector comes up with a way to unsettle the Achaeans.

But once the sun stood striding at high noon,
then Father Zeus held out his sacred golden scales:
in them he placed two fates of death that lays men low--one for the Trojan horsemen, one for Argives armed in bronze--
and gripping the beam mid-haft the Gather raised it high
and down went Achaea's day of doom...

A thousand fires were burning there on the plain
and beside each fire sat fifty fighting men
poised in the leaping blaze...

New Characters and Names Introduced

• Teucer

Thought Questions:

• Are there any similarities between the ruling style of Zeus and the ruling style of Agamemnon?
• Why do you think Homer introduces the killing by arrow of one of Nestor's horses?
• Do lines 539-550 mean that Zeus has total control of the outcome, no matter what the humans do?

Quiz on the Book:

1. What does Zeus tell the gods?
2. Where does Zeus go to observe the battle?
3. What omens does Zeus send to show he on the side of the Trojans?
4. Who saves Nestor from Hector?
5. How does Zeus answer Agamemnon's prayer to save the Argives?
6. How is Teucer saved from Hector?
7. How are Athena and Hera stopped from joining the fight?
8. That night how does Hector intimidate the Achaeans?

• Note the power of Homer's images:
  As a garden poppy, burst into red bloom, bends,
  drooping its head to one side, weighed down
  by its full seeds and a sudden spring shower,
  so Gorgythion's head fell limp over one shoulder,
  weighed down by his helmet.

Book 9: The Embassy to Achilles

Overview

Agamemnon has to be talked out of leaving. Instead they propose getting Achilles back. An envoy is sent to convince him to come back. He refuses. After a lengthy discussion they return to the camp.

"My son, victory is what Athena and Hera will give,
if they so choose. But you, you hold in check
that proud, fiery spirit of yours inside youer chest!
Friendship is much better. Vicious quarrels are deadly--
put an end to them, at once. Your Achaeans comrades,
young and old, will exalt you all the more."

New Characters and Names Introduced

• Phoenix

Thought Questions:

• Looking over the riches Agamemnon proposes giving Achilles, what can one say the Achaeans found important?
• Achilles' housing is alternately referred to as a tent and a lodging. From the various descriptions and actions of things that happen there, can you get a picture of how he lives?
• What emotions does Achilles have toward Briseis? Check lines 406-419.

Quiz on the Book:

1. How do the Achaeans react to the Trojans' watch?
2. What does Agamemnon agree to give Achilles?
3. Who are the three important people that consititute the envoy to Achilles?
4. What is Achilles doing when the envoy arrives?
5. What are Achilles' plans for the next day?
6. What two fates await Achilles according to his mother?
7. Phoenix tells two lengthy stories. Who is the first one about?
8. Where is Achilles at the end of the book?

• Dolon
• Rhesus

Thought Questions:

• Are the skins that Agamemnon, Menelaus, Diomedes, and Dolon put on intended to suggest the type of men they are?

• Coon
• Eurypylus (Achaean archer who is wounded)
• Machaon (introduced earlier, but important here)

Thought Questions:

• Why do you suppose Agamemnon kills in pairs throughout?
• Note that Odysseus is compared to a wild boar. Does this have anything to do with his cap and the wound described in The Odyssey?
• What view of the archer does the narrator of The Iliad have?
• Another domestic scene is shown in Nestor's tent. What things suggest how the king lives?

1. What primary color is on Agamemnon's armor?
2. What advice does Zeus send Hector through Iris?
3. How many men does Agamemnon kill? (a) 2, (b) 4, (c) 8, (d) 15
4. Diomedes is wounded where by whom?
5. Who saves Odysseus?
6. What glorious event of his youth does Nestor describe?
7. Who is older, Achilles or Patroclus?
8. What advice does Nestor give Patroclus if Achilles refuses to fight?
9. How does Patroclus end the book?

Book 12: The Trojans Storm the Rampart

Overview

Hector decides on a mass attack against the Achaeans because of the trench. Asius tries to drive his chariot through the gates, but is held back by boulders thrown. Zeus sends a dust storm to assist Hector. After many deaths, Hector finally breaks down the gates..

New Characters and Names Introduced

• Polydamas
• Asius

Thought Questions:

• What view of the fighter does Sarpedon express?
  

Quiz on the Book:

1. What information about the topography of the land in front of Ilium does the bard relate at the beginning of the book?
2. What advice does Polydamas give Hector?
3. What bird sign upsets Polydamas?
4. Which Trojan breaks a portion of the wall down?
5. Which two Achaean heroes go to help fight? (a) Giant Ajax and Teucer, (b) Agamemnon and Diomedes, (c) Odysseus and Menelaus
6. Of the two, which continues fighting after being wounded? (a) Sarpedon, (b) Glaucus
7. What does Hector use to break down the gate?