Students are to complete the following assignment in class on Friday 5/29.
The Iliad-books 12 & 14-(20pts)
“The Fight at the Barricade”
This is the single most powerful image of Hector. What heroic qualities does he display?
"Drive forward, you horse-taming Trojans. [440]Breach that Argive wall. Then burn the shipswith a huge fire."
With these words, he drove them on.Their ears all caught his call. Hurling themselves at the wallin a dense mass, gripping sharp spears, they began to climb. 490Hector picked up a rock lying before the gates,thick at its base but tapering sharply on the top.Two of the best working men now livingcould not lever that stone out of the ground easilyinto their cart, but Hector carried it with ease alone.Crooked-minded Cronos' son made it light for him[H1] . [450]Just as a shepherd has no trouble carrying a ram's fleece in one hand, hardly noticing the weight,so Hector lifted up that rock, then carried it straight to the doors guarding the strongly fitted gates, 500high double doors with two cross pieces holding them insidesecured with a single bolt. Hector moved up closer,planted himself before the doors, his legs wide apartto throw with greater force, then hurled that rockright at the centre of the doors. He smashed both hinges. [460]The stone's momentum took it clear through the doors.The gates groaned loudly. The bolts were sheared right off. The impact of that boulder shattered all the planks.Glorious Hector, his face like night's swift darkness,leapt inside. The bronze which covered his whole body 510was a terrifying glitter. In his hand he held two spears.Once he'd jumped inside the gates, no one moving out to stop him could hold him back, except the gods.From his eyes fire blazed. Wheeling through the throng,he shouted to his Trojans to climb the wall.His men responded to his call. Some scaled the wall,others came pouring through the hole made in the gates.Danaans were driven back among their hollow ships [470]in a rout, and the noisy tumult never stopped.
“Zeus Deceived”
How/why is Hera able to deceive Zeus so easily? What is the modern relevance of this scene?
As this was happening, on a peak of Mount OlympusHera of the golden throne was standing watching.She recognized her brother-in-law at once,as he kept busy in the war where men win glory,for he was her brother and her husband's, too. 190Hera's heart was pleased. She looked across at Zeus, sitting on the highest peak on top of Ida,with its many fountains. Hatred filled her heart.So ox-eyed queen Hera then began consideringhow she might deceive the mind of aegis-bearing Zeus. [160]In her heart the best course of action seemed to beto make herself look most attractive, go to Ida,then see if Zeus would want to lie down with her,embrace her, and make love. Then she could pour outon his eyelids and his crafty mind a deep warm sleep. 200She went off to her bedroom, which Hephaestus,her dear son, had made for her, with close-fitting doorsset against their posts, secured with a secret lock,which no other god could open. She went in there,then closed the shining doors. First, with ambrosia [170]she washed from her lovely body all the stains,then rubbed her skin with fragrant oil, divinely sweet,made specially for her. If this perfume were merely stirredinside Zeus' bronze-floored house, its scent would then diffusethroughout heaven and earth. She used this perfume 210all over her fair body, then arranged her hair. With her own hands she combed her shining locks in braids,a stunning style for an immortal goddess.Then she wrapped around herself a heavenly robe,which Athena made for her from silky fabric,adorning it with gorgeous embroidery.She pinned the robe around her breast with golden brooches. [180]On her waist she put a belt with a hundred tassels.Hera then fixed earrings in her pierced ear lobes,each with three gemstones, an enchanting glitter. 220Next the queen of goddesses placed on her head a fine new dazzling shawl, white as the sun.She then slipped lovely sandals over her sleek feet.
Once Hera had dressed her body in this finery,she left the room and summoned Aphrodite.Some distance from the other gods, she said to her:
"My dear child, will you agree to do [190]what I ask of you, or will you refuse,because you're angry with me in your heart,since I help Danaans and you aid the Trojans?" 230
Zeus' daughter Aphrodite answered her:
"Hera, honoured goddess, daughter of great Cronos,say what's on your mind. My heart tells meI should do what you ask, if I can,if it's something that can be carried out."
Then queen Hera, with her devious mind, replied:
"Then give me Love and Sexual Desire,which you use to master all immortals,and mortal men as well. I'm going to visitthe limits of this all-nourishing earth, 240 [200]to see Oceanus, from whom the gods arose, and mother Tethys, the two who reared me,taking good care of me inside their home,once they got me from Rhea, that time Zeus,who sees far and wide, forced Cronosunderground, under the restless seas.I'm going to visit them. And I'll resolvetheir endless quarrel. For a long time now,they've stayed apart from one another,not sharing love there in the marriage bed, 250since anger fills their hearts. If my wordscould reconcile the hearts in these two gods,bring them to bed again, once more in love,they'd think of me with loving reverence." [210]
Laughter-loving Aphrodite answered Hera:
"It wouldn't be appropriate for meto say no to your demand, since you sleepin the arms of Zeus, the greatest of the gods."
Aphrodite spoke, then loosened from her breaststhe finely decorated, embroidered garment 260in which all her magic charms were fixed—for love, erotic lust, flirtation, and seduction,which steals the wits even of clear-thinking men.Aphrodite put this in Hera's hands, then said:
"Take this garment. Tie it round your breasts.Everything is interwoven in the cloth. [220]I don't think you'll come back unsuccessfulin getting what it is your heart desires."
Hera sped off, leaving the crest of mount Olympus.
There she met Sleep, Death's brother. Clasping his hand,she spoke to him:
"Sleep, king of all men and gods,if you've ever listened to what I say, 280obey me now. I'll be grateful always. Lull Zeus' radiant eyes to sleep for me,when I'm stretched out for sex beside him.I'll give you as a gift a lovely throne,indestructible gold which my own sonHephaestus with his ambidextrous skillswill make for you. Under it he'll set a stool, [240]so you can rest your feet when drinking wine."
Sweet Sleep then said in reply:
"Honoured goddess Hera,daughter of mighty Cronos, I could with ease 290bring some other immortal one to sleep, even the streams of river Ocean,the source of all of them. But I won't comenear Zeus, lull him to sleep, unless he bids me,asks in person. Your request some time agotaught me my lesson, on that very day [250]when Hercules, son of almighty Zeus,set sail from Ilion, after he'd sackedthe Trojans' city. That's when I seducedthe mind of aegis-bearing Zeus, pouring 300my sweetness over him. You then carried evil in your heart for Hercules, drivingblasts of hostile winds across the sea,taking him at last to well-settled Cos,far from all his friends. When Zeus woke up,he was incensed, throwing gods around his house,looking, above all, for me. He'd have tossed mefrom heaven into the sea, if Night,who subdues gods and men, had not saved me. [260]I ran away to her, and Zeus held back, 310though still enraged, not wishing to offend swift Night. Now here you are again, asking meto do something I simply must not do."
Ox-eyed queen Hera then answered him:
"Sleep,why concern your heart about these matters?Do you think all-seeing Zeus feels for Trojansthe same rage he felt then for Hercules,his own son? But come, I'll give you as your wifeone of the younger Graces. You can marryPasithea, whom you long for every day." 320
Hera finished. Sleep was overjoyed and said: [270]
"All right, then. Swear to me by watersof the inviolable river Styx, settingone hand on the all-nourishing earth,the other on the shimmering sea,so all may witness our agreement,even those gods underground with Cronos,that you will give me one of the Graces,Pasithea, whom I long for every day."
White-armed goddess Hera agreed to Sleep's request.
Hera moved quickly on to Ida's peak, high Gargarus.Cloud-gatherer Zeus caught sight of her. As he looked,his wise heart became suffused with sexual desire,as strong as when they'd first made love together,lying on a couch without their parents' knowledge. 350Zeus stood up in front of her, called her, and said:
"Hera, what are you looking for, comingdown here from Olympus? Your chariotand your horses are not here. You should use them."
Queen Hera with her crafty mind then answered Zeus: [300]
"I'm going to visit the outer limitsof this all-nourishing earth, to Oceanus,from whom gods came, and mother Tethys,who looked after me in their own home.They raised me well. I'll try to mediate 360their endless quarrel. For a long time now,they've stayed apart from one another,not sharing love there in the marriage bed,since anger fills their hearts. As for my horses,they're standing at the foot of Ida,with its many springs, to carry meacross dry land and sea. I've come here now,down from Mount Olympus, to stop youfrom being angry with me afterwards, [310]if I say nothing about going to visit 370deep-flowing Oceanus in his home."
Cloud-gatherer Zeus then answered:
"Hera,you can go there later. But why don't welie down and make joyful love together?I've never felt such sexual desire beforefor any goddess, for any mortal woman.It's flooding through me, overpowering the hearthere in my chest—not even when I lusted forIxion's wife, who bore me Peirithoös,a man as wise as gods, or Danaë, 380with her enchanting ankles, daughter of Acrisius, who gave birth to Perseus, [320]most illustrious of men, nor the daughterof famous Phoenix, who bore me Minosand godlike Rhadamanthus, nor Alcmene,who gave birth to Hercules in Thebes,a mighty hearted son, nor Semele,who bore that joy to mortals Dionysus,nor fair-haired lady Demeter, nor Leto,that glorious girl, not even for yourself— 390I felt for none of these the love I feelfor you right now—such sweet desire grips me."
Queen Hera with her cunning mind then said in reply:
"Most fearsome son of Cronos, what are you saying? [330]If you now want us to make love lying here,on Ida’s peaks, where anyone can see,what if one of the immortal gods observes us,as we sleep, then goes and tells the other gods?I could not get up from this bed and gointo your home. That would be scandalous. 400But if that's your wish, if your heart's set on it, you have that bedroom your own son Hephaestushad built for you. It has close-fitting doorsfixed into posts. Let's go and lie down there,since you're so keen for us to go to bed."
Underneath them divine Earth made fresh flowers grow—dew-covered clover, crocuses, and hyacinths,lush and soft, to hold the lovers off the ground.They lay together there covered with a cloud, [350]a lovely golden mist, from which fell glistening dew.Then Zeus slumbered peacefully on Mount Gargarus,overcome with love and sleep, his wife in his embrace.
Sweet Sleep rushed to the Achaean ships, to inform 420Poseidon, the Encircler and Shaker of the Earth.Coming up to him, Sleep spoke—his words had wings:
"Poseidon, you could now assist the Argivesquite readily and give them glory,if only for a while—Zeus is fast asleep.I’ve covered him with a delicious sleep.Hera has seduced him on a bed of love."
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Iliad-Book 10
The students began working on the following assignment which is to be completed for HW:
The Iliad-book 10 “A Night Raid”-20pts
Relate Diomedes’ and Odysseus’ treatment of the prisoner Dolon to today. Do they treat him fairly? Write a reaction to their actions. In other words, defend or refute.
Dolon wasn't much to look at, but he ran fast.He was the only male child, with five sisters.At that point he spoke up to Hector and the Trojans: 380
"Hector, my heart and my proud spirit prompt meto volunteer to sneak up to those fast ships [320]and find out what I can. Come, raise your sceptre,swear to me that you'll give me those horsesand that chariot decorated all in bronzewhich carry the fine son of Peleus.I'll not be a useless scout or disappoint you.I'll go straight through the army, till I reachAgamemnon's ship, where their best menmust be in council talking of their plans, 390whether to flee or to continue fighting."
Dolon spoke. Holding up his sceptre, Hector swore:
"Let Zeus himself, Hera's loud-thundering husband,be my witness, that no other Trojanwill be carried by those horses. I affirm [330]that you will glory in them all your life."
Hector spoke. He'd sworn an empty oath, but Dolonwas encouraged. At once, he slung across his shoulderhis curved bow, then threw a gray wolf skin on it.On his head he set a cap of marten skin, 400 grabbed a sharp spear, and set off, going from the camptowards the ships. He would not be coming backbringing Hector information from the ships.But when he left the crowd of men and horses,he went eagerly along the path. As he moved,noble Odysseus saw him and said to Diomedes: [340]
"Diomedes, someone's coming from the camp.I don't know if he's going to scout our shipsor strip some dead man's corpse. Let's let himat first get past us on the plain, just a bit. 410Then we can go after him and catch him fast.If his feet outrun ours, we'll keep following himand chase him from his camp towards our ships.Keep brandishing your spear behind him,so he doesn't make it to the city."
After these words, the two men lay down beside the road,among the corpses. Dolon ran past them quickly, [350]quite unaware. When he'd gone about as faras mules plough in a single day—and in deep fieldsthey outwork oxen pulling double-jointed ploughs— 420 the two men ran after him. When he heard their noise,Dolon stopped, hoping in his heart they were comradescoming from the Trojans to get him to turn back,Hector having changed the orders. But when they camewithin the distance of a spear throw or even less, he saw that they were enemies and started running,to get away as quickly as his legs could carry him.They set off chasing him with speed. Just as when two dogs, [360]skilled hunting hounds with sharp fangs, harass some doeor hare relentlessly across a wooded country, 430the prey screaming as it runs, that's how Tydeus' sonand Odysseus, destroyer of cities, pursued him,keeping Dolon from his people with their constant chase.When Dolon was about to run into the sentriesin his flight towards the ships, at that pointAthena put fighting power into Tydeus' son,so no bronze-clad Achaean could make the boastthat he'd hit Dolon first and that Diomedeshad come up later. Springing forward with his spear,powerful Diomedes yelled:
"Stop! 440 [370]Or I'll hit you with my spear. I don't thinkyou'll long escape complete destruction at my hands"
Diomedes shouted this, then threw the spear,deliberately missing Dolon. The polished spear pointsailed over his right shoulder, then stuck in the ground.Dolon just stood there terrified, stammering, pale with fear—his teeth were chattering in his mouth. The two men ran up,panting, and grabbed his hands. Dolon began to cry and beg:
"Take me alive, and I'll ransom myself. At home there is bronze, gold, well-wrought iron. 450 My father will give lots of it to you—an immense ransom—if he once finds out [380]I'm at Achaean ships and still alive."
Crafty Odysseus smiled at him and said:
"Don't worry. Don't let death weigh down your heart.Come now, tell me—and be sure to speak the truth.Why are you going like this to the ships alone,away from your army in the dead of night,when other warriors are fast asleep[H1] ?Are you going to strip some dead man's body, 460 or has Hector sent you as a spy,to learn something about the hollow ships?Or did your own spirit prompt you to this?"
Dolon answered Odysseus, his limbs trembling. [390]
"Hector led my mind astray with foolish hopes,lots of them. He promised he'd give methe sure-footed horses of Achilles,Peleus' excellent son, and his chariotwith its bronze decoration. He told meto venture out into the swift dark night, 470get close to hostile troops, and then find outif they were guarding their swift ships as before, or whether, now we have defeated them,they were planning flight among themselves,unwilling to keep up watch at night,exhausted by their desperate efforts."
Shrewd Odysseus, still smiling, then continued: [400]
"Your heart has been ambitious for big gifts.Those horses of warrior Achilles,descendant of Aeacus, are hard to manage 480or control for any mortal person,except Achilles, son of an immortal mother[H2] .Tell me, now, and be sure to speak the truth.When you came here, where did you leave Hector,shepherd to his people? Where's his armour?Where are his horses? How are the sentriesof the other Trojans set? Where are they sleeping?Tell me what they talk of amongst themselves, whether they're eager to stay beside the ships,quite far from home, or whether they'll return 490 [410]to the city, with Achaeans beaten."
Dolon, son of Eumedes, answered Odysseus:
"I'll answer you in this quite truthfully.Right now Hector is with his advisors,holding a council meeting by the tombof godlike Ilus, some distance from the noise.As for the guards you asked about, noble sir,there's nothing special to protect the troops,or keep lookout. By all Trojan watch fires,as necessity requires, there are men 500who stay awake, calling to each other,to keep up their guard. But the allied force, [420]which comes from many lands, is sleeping.They leave it to Trojans to stay on watch,for their wives and children aren't close by."
Crafty Odysseus, with a smile, then asked Dolon:
"Now, those allies—are they intermingledwith horse-taming Trojans where they sleepor separate from them? Tell me. I need to know[H3] ."
Dolon, son of Eumedes, answered Odysseus: 510
"I can reveal the truth of this as well.By the sea lie Carians, Paeonians,with their curved bows, Lelegians, Caucones,god-like Pelasgians. Around Thymbreare positioned Lycians, Mysians, [430]impetuous fighters, and Phrygians,who fight on horseback, and from Maeoniathere are charioteers. But why ask me detailsof these matters? If you're keen to infiltratethe Trojan army, over there are Thracians, 520fresh troops, new arrivals, furthest distantfrom the rest, among them their king Rhesus,son of Eioneus. His horses are the best,the finest and largest ones I've ever seen,whiter than snow, as fast as the winds.His chariot is finely built—with goldand silver. He came here with his armour—an amazing sight—huge and made of gold.It's not appropriate for mortal men [440]to wear such armour, only deathless gods. 530But take me now to your fast ships, or elsetie me up, leave me here in painful fetters,so you can go and check my story out,see whether I have told the truth or not."
Mighty Diomedes scowled at Dolon and said:
"Don't fill your heart with thoughts you'll get away,Dolon, even though your news is good.You've fallen in our hands. Now, if wereleased you or set you free for ransom,you'd come back to the swift Achaean ships, 540 [450]either to spy or fight us openly.But if my hands subdue you and you die,you'll pose no problems for the Argives later[H4] ."
As Diomedes finished, Dolon was intendingto cup his chin with his strong hand in supplication.But with his sword Diomedes jumped at him,slashed him across the middle of his neck, slicingthrough both tendons. Dolon's head rolled in the dust,as he was speaking. They stripped the cap of marten skin,then took the wolf hide, long spear, and his curved bow[H5] . 550Lord Odysseus held these objects high above him [460]for Athena, goddess of battle spoils, and prayed:
Explain Diomedes’ actions in this scene. Are they heroic? Defend or refute them.
"There's our man, 570Diomedes. And these are the horseswhich Dolon told us of, the man we killed.Come, now, let's see that mighty strength of yours.It's not right for you to stand there idly [480]with your weapons. So loose those horses.Or else kill the men, while I take care of them."
Odysseus spoke. Athena with her glittering eyesbreathed fighting power into Diomedes.Moving around everywhere, he began the killing.Agonizing groans came from those his sword then butchered. 580The earth grew soggy with their blood. Just as a lioncomes across an unguarded flock of sheep or goatsand leaps on them, heart thirsting for the kill,so Tydeus' son went at those Thracian soldiers,until he'd slaughtered twelve[H6] . Whenever Diomedesstood over some man he'd just killed with his sword,crafty Odysseus, from behind, would grab his feet [490]and drag the body clear. For his mind was planninghow he might steal the fine-maned horses easily,if he didn't frighten them by forcing them to step 590on dead men's bodies, for they were not used to that.Tydeus' son came across the king, the thirteenth manwhose sweet life he had taken. Rhesus lay there,in his last gasp. A bad dream had stood beside his headthat night, a device sent by Athena—and that dreamwas the son of Tydeus[H7] . Meanwhile, bold Odysseusuntied the sure-footed horses, roped them together,and drove them from the camp, prodding with his bow,for he'd forgotten to pick up the shining whip [500]from the ornate chariot. Then he gave a whistle, 600to signal noble Diomedes. But he just stayed there,wondering how he could do something really bold.Should he take away the chariot, which containedthe king's finely decorated armour, pull itby the pole, or lift it up above his headand carry it like that? Or should he take the livesof still more Thracians? While Diomedes turned overthese matters in his mind, Athena came, stood by him,then said to noble Diomedes:
"Think of going back,to the hollow ships, son of great-hearted Tydeus, 610 in case you get driven there in quick retreat, [510]if some other god wakes up the Trojans."
The Iliad-book 10 “A Night Raid”-20pts
Relate Diomedes’ and Odysseus’ treatment of the prisoner Dolon to today. Do they treat him fairly? Write a reaction to their actions. In other words, defend or refute.
Dolon wasn't much to look at, but he ran fast.He was the only male child, with five sisters.At that point he spoke up to Hector and the Trojans: 380
"Hector, my heart and my proud spirit prompt meto volunteer to sneak up to those fast ships [320]and find out what I can. Come, raise your sceptre,swear to me that you'll give me those horsesand that chariot decorated all in bronzewhich carry the fine son of Peleus.I'll not be a useless scout or disappoint you.I'll go straight through the army, till I reachAgamemnon's ship, where their best menmust be in council talking of their plans, 390whether to flee or to continue fighting."
Dolon spoke. Holding up his sceptre, Hector swore:
"Let Zeus himself, Hera's loud-thundering husband,be my witness, that no other Trojanwill be carried by those horses. I affirm [330]that you will glory in them all your life."
Hector spoke. He'd sworn an empty oath, but Dolonwas encouraged. At once, he slung across his shoulderhis curved bow, then threw a gray wolf skin on it.On his head he set a cap of marten skin, 400 grabbed a sharp spear, and set off, going from the camptowards the ships. He would not be coming backbringing Hector information from the ships.But when he left the crowd of men and horses,he went eagerly along the path. As he moved,noble Odysseus saw him and said to Diomedes: [340]
"Diomedes, someone's coming from the camp.I don't know if he's going to scout our shipsor strip some dead man's corpse. Let's let himat first get past us on the plain, just a bit. 410Then we can go after him and catch him fast.If his feet outrun ours, we'll keep following himand chase him from his camp towards our ships.Keep brandishing your spear behind him,so he doesn't make it to the city."
After these words, the two men lay down beside the road,among the corpses. Dolon ran past them quickly, [350]quite unaware. When he'd gone about as faras mules plough in a single day—and in deep fieldsthey outwork oxen pulling double-jointed ploughs— 420 the two men ran after him. When he heard their noise,Dolon stopped, hoping in his heart they were comradescoming from the Trojans to get him to turn back,Hector having changed the orders. But when they camewithin the distance of a spear throw or even less, he saw that they were enemies and started running,to get away as quickly as his legs could carry him.They set off chasing him with speed. Just as when two dogs, [360]skilled hunting hounds with sharp fangs, harass some doeor hare relentlessly across a wooded country, 430the prey screaming as it runs, that's how Tydeus' sonand Odysseus, destroyer of cities, pursued him,keeping Dolon from his people with their constant chase.When Dolon was about to run into the sentriesin his flight towards the ships, at that pointAthena put fighting power into Tydeus' son,so no bronze-clad Achaean could make the boastthat he'd hit Dolon first and that Diomedeshad come up later. Springing forward with his spear,powerful Diomedes yelled:
"Stop! 440 [370]Or I'll hit you with my spear. I don't thinkyou'll long escape complete destruction at my hands"
Diomedes shouted this, then threw the spear,deliberately missing Dolon. The polished spear pointsailed over his right shoulder, then stuck in the ground.Dolon just stood there terrified, stammering, pale with fear—his teeth were chattering in his mouth. The two men ran up,panting, and grabbed his hands. Dolon began to cry and beg:
"Take me alive, and I'll ransom myself. At home there is bronze, gold, well-wrought iron. 450 My father will give lots of it to you—an immense ransom—if he once finds out [380]I'm at Achaean ships and still alive."
Crafty Odysseus smiled at him and said:
"Don't worry. Don't let death weigh down your heart.Come now, tell me—and be sure to speak the truth.Why are you going like this to the ships alone,away from your army in the dead of night,when other warriors are fast asleep[H1] ?Are you going to strip some dead man's body, 460 or has Hector sent you as a spy,to learn something about the hollow ships?Or did your own spirit prompt you to this?"
Dolon answered Odysseus, his limbs trembling. [390]
"Hector led my mind astray with foolish hopes,lots of them. He promised he'd give methe sure-footed horses of Achilles,Peleus' excellent son, and his chariotwith its bronze decoration. He told meto venture out into the swift dark night, 470get close to hostile troops, and then find outif they were guarding their swift ships as before, or whether, now we have defeated them,they were planning flight among themselves,unwilling to keep up watch at night,exhausted by their desperate efforts."
Shrewd Odysseus, still smiling, then continued: [400]
"Your heart has been ambitious for big gifts.Those horses of warrior Achilles,descendant of Aeacus, are hard to manage 480or control for any mortal person,except Achilles, son of an immortal mother[H2] .Tell me, now, and be sure to speak the truth.When you came here, where did you leave Hector,shepherd to his people? Where's his armour?Where are his horses? How are the sentriesof the other Trojans set? Where are they sleeping?Tell me what they talk of amongst themselves, whether they're eager to stay beside the ships,quite far from home, or whether they'll return 490 [410]to the city, with Achaeans beaten."
Dolon, son of Eumedes, answered Odysseus:
"I'll answer you in this quite truthfully.Right now Hector is with his advisors,holding a council meeting by the tombof godlike Ilus, some distance from the noise.As for the guards you asked about, noble sir,there's nothing special to protect the troops,or keep lookout. By all Trojan watch fires,as necessity requires, there are men 500who stay awake, calling to each other,to keep up their guard. But the allied force, [420]which comes from many lands, is sleeping.They leave it to Trojans to stay on watch,for their wives and children aren't close by."
Crafty Odysseus, with a smile, then asked Dolon:
"Now, those allies—are they intermingledwith horse-taming Trojans where they sleepor separate from them? Tell me. I need to know[H3] ."
Dolon, son of Eumedes, answered Odysseus: 510
"I can reveal the truth of this as well.By the sea lie Carians, Paeonians,with their curved bows, Lelegians, Caucones,god-like Pelasgians. Around Thymbreare positioned Lycians, Mysians, [430]impetuous fighters, and Phrygians,who fight on horseback, and from Maeoniathere are charioteers. But why ask me detailsof these matters? If you're keen to infiltratethe Trojan army, over there are Thracians, 520fresh troops, new arrivals, furthest distantfrom the rest, among them their king Rhesus,son of Eioneus. His horses are the best,the finest and largest ones I've ever seen,whiter than snow, as fast as the winds.His chariot is finely built—with goldand silver. He came here with his armour—an amazing sight—huge and made of gold.It's not appropriate for mortal men [440]to wear such armour, only deathless gods. 530But take me now to your fast ships, or elsetie me up, leave me here in painful fetters,so you can go and check my story out,see whether I have told the truth or not."
Mighty Diomedes scowled at Dolon and said:
"Don't fill your heart with thoughts you'll get away,Dolon, even though your news is good.You've fallen in our hands. Now, if wereleased you or set you free for ransom,you'd come back to the swift Achaean ships, 540 [450]either to spy or fight us openly.But if my hands subdue you and you die,you'll pose no problems for the Argives later[H4] ."
As Diomedes finished, Dolon was intendingto cup his chin with his strong hand in supplication.But with his sword Diomedes jumped at him,slashed him across the middle of his neck, slicingthrough both tendons. Dolon's head rolled in the dust,as he was speaking. They stripped the cap of marten skin,then took the wolf hide, long spear, and his curved bow[H5] . 550Lord Odysseus held these objects high above him [460]for Athena, goddess of battle spoils, and prayed:
Explain Diomedes’ actions in this scene. Are they heroic? Defend or refute them.
"There's our man, 570Diomedes. And these are the horseswhich Dolon told us of, the man we killed.Come, now, let's see that mighty strength of yours.It's not right for you to stand there idly [480]with your weapons. So loose those horses.Or else kill the men, while I take care of them."
Odysseus spoke. Athena with her glittering eyesbreathed fighting power into Diomedes.Moving around everywhere, he began the killing.Agonizing groans came from those his sword then butchered. 580The earth grew soggy with their blood. Just as a lioncomes across an unguarded flock of sheep or goatsand leaps on them, heart thirsting for the kill,so Tydeus' son went at those Thracian soldiers,until he'd slaughtered twelve[H6] . Whenever Diomedesstood over some man he'd just killed with his sword,crafty Odysseus, from behind, would grab his feet [490]and drag the body clear. For his mind was planninghow he might steal the fine-maned horses easily,if he didn't frighten them by forcing them to step 590on dead men's bodies, for they were not used to that.Tydeus' son came across the king, the thirteenth manwhose sweet life he had taken. Rhesus lay there,in his last gasp. A bad dream had stood beside his headthat night, a device sent by Athena—and that dreamwas the son of Tydeus[H7] . Meanwhile, bold Odysseusuntied the sure-footed horses, roped them together,and drove them from the camp, prodding with his bow,for he'd forgotten to pick up the shining whip [500]from the ornate chariot. Then he gave a whistle, 600to signal noble Diomedes. But he just stayed there,wondering how he could do something really bold.Should he take away the chariot, which containedthe king's finely decorated armour, pull itby the pole, or lift it up above his headand carry it like that? Or should he take the livesof still more Thracians? While Diomedes turned overthese matters in his mind, Athena came, stood by him,then said to noble Diomedes:
"Think of going back,to the hollow ships, son of great-hearted Tydeus, 610 in case you get driven there in quick retreat, [510]if some other god wakes up the Trojans."
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Iliad-book 6
The following assignment is due tomorrow:
The Iliad-Book 6 (20pts)
“Hector and Andromache”
Why is Menelaus ridiculed by Agamemnon in this scene? Do you think he made the right decision? Explain. Is this heroic to you? To the Greeks? Explain.
"Take me alive, son of Atreus—you'll getgood ransom. My father is a wealthy man,owns lots of things—bronze, silver, well-worked iron.So he'll give you a splendid ransom,if he learns I'm by Achaean ships, alive." [50]
Adrestus pleaded. Menelaus' heart in his chest was moved.He was about to hand Adrestus to his attendant, to take back captive to the fast Achaean ships. 60But then Agamemnon came running up to him,sharply criticizing Menelaus:
"Menelaus, you soft-hearted man,why are you sparing men's lives like this?In your own home, Trojans treated youexceptionally well, did they not?So don't let any one of them evadea terrible destruction at our hands—not even the young child still carried in his mother's belly. Let no one escape. 70Let everyone in Troy be slaughtered,without pity, without leaving any trace." [60]
With these words, by this appeal to justice,he changed his brother's mind. So Menelausshoved heroic Adrestus away from him. Mighty Agamemnon then speared him in the side. Adrestus fell onto his back. The son of Atreus placed his heel down on his chest and pulled the ash spear out.
Explain the significance of the dialogue between Hector, Paris, and Helen. How does Homer portray each character?
"Paris, you're a worthless man. It's quite wrong of you to nurse that angerin your heart, while men are being destroyed,fighting round the city, its steep walls.It's because of you the sounds of warfarecatch fire round our city. You would fight any man you saw avoiding battle, [330]fleeing war's brutality. So up with you,or soon our city will go up in smoke, 410with fire destroying everything."
Godlike Alexander then replied:
"Hector, your rebuke is not unfair, without reason. So I'll speak plainly. Listen and remember what I'm saying.I'm not sitting in my bedroom hereout of anger or spite against the Trojans. I want to grieve. Just now my wife urged me,using gentle words, to rouse myself to fight. And personally I think that would be best. For victory shifts from one man to another. 420Now, wait here while I put on battle armour. [340]Or go and I'll come later. I'll catch up with you."
Hector of the shining helmet did not reply.Helen spoke to Hector with soothing words:
"Hector, you are my brother, and I'm a horrible, conniving bitch. I wish that on that day my mother bore mesome evil wind had come, carried me away,and swept me off, up into the mountains, or into waves of the tumbling, crashing sea, 430then I would have died before this happened.But since gods have ordained these evil things, I wish I'd been wife to a better man, [350]someone sensitive to others' insults, with feeling for his many shameful acts.This husband of mine has no sense nowand won't acquire any in the future. I expect he'll get from that what he deserves. But come in, sit on this chair, my brother, since this trouble really weighs upon your mind— 440all because I was a bitch—because of thatand Paris' folly, Zeus gives us an evil fate,so we may be subjects for men's songsin generations yet to come."
Great Hector of the shining helmet answered Helen:
"Don't ask me to sit down, Helen. You're kind, [360]but you won't persuade me. For my heart's on fireto help the Trojans, who miss me greatly when I'm gone.But you must rouse Paris, and he, too, should hurry, so he can catch up with me inside the city. 450I'm going home, to visit my dear wifeand infant son, for I've no idea whether I'll be coming back to them again, or if the gods will kill me at Achaean hands."
What does the interaction between Hector and Andromache suggest about what is valuable in the lives of men and women at this time? What does it suggest about relationships between spouses at this time? Offer specific examples from the text.
With her came the nurse,holding at her breast their happy infant child, 490 [400]well-loved son of Hector, like a beautiful star.Hector had named him Scamandrius, but others called him Astyanax, lord of the city,because Hector was Troy's only guardian. Hector looked at his son in silence, with a smile.Andromache stood close to him, weeping.Taking Hector by the hand, she spoke to him.
"My dear husband, your warlike spirit will be your death. You've no compassionfor your infant child, for me, your sad wife, 500who before long will be your widow.For soon the Achaeans will attack you, all together, and cut you down. As for me, [410]it would be better, if I'm to lose you,to be buried in the ground. For then I'll haveno other comfort, once you meet your death,except my sorrow. I have no father,no dear mother. For lord Achilles killed my father, when he wiped out Thebe,city with high gates, slaying Eëtion. 510But he didn't strip his corpse—his heartfelt too much shame for that. So he burned him in his finely decorated armourand raised a burial mound above the ashes.Mountain nymphs, daughters of aegis-bearing Zeus, [420]planted elm trees all around his body.I had seven brothers in my home.All went down to Hades in one day, for swift-footed lord Achilles killed them all,while they were guarding their shambling oxen 520and their white shining sheep. As for my mother,who ruled wooded Thebe-under-Placus, he brought her here with all his other spoils.Then he released her for a massive ransom.But archer goddess Artemis then killed herin her father's house. So, Hector, you are nowmy father, noble mother, brother, [430]and my protecting husband. So pity me. Stay here in this tower. Don't orphan your childand make me a widow. Place men by the fig tree, 530where the city is most vulnerable, the wall most easily scaled. Three times their best men have come there to attack, led by the two Ajaxes, the sons of Atreus,famous Idomeneus, and Diomedes,Tydeus' courageous son, incited to itby someone well versed in prophecy or by their own hearts' inclination."
Great Hector of the shining helmet answered her:
"Wife, [440]all this concerns me, too. But I'd be disgraced, 540dreadfully shamed among Trojan menand Trojan women in their trailing gowns, if I should, like a coward, slink away from war.My heart will never prompt me to do that, for I have learned always to be brave, to fight alongside Trojans at the front, striving to win fame for father and myself. My heart and mind know well the day is comingwhen sacred Ilion will be destroyed,along with Priam of the fine ash spear 550and Priam's people. But what pains me mostabout these future sorrows is not so much [450]the Trojans, Hecuba, or king Priam, or even my many noble brothers,who'll fall down in the dust, slaughteredby their enemies. My pain concerns you, when one of the bronze-clad Achaeansleads you off in tears, ends your days of freedom.If then you come to Argos as a slave,working the loom for some other woman, 560fetching water from Hyperia or Messeis,against your will, forced by powerful Fate, then someone, seeing you as you weepmay well say: 'That woman is Hector's wife.He was the finest warrior in battle [460]of all horse-taming Trojans in that war when they fought for Troy.' Someone will say that,and it will bring still more grief to you,to be without such a man to save youfrom days of servitude. May I lie dead, 570 hidden deep under a burial mound, before I hear about your screaming, as you are dragged away."
With these words,glorious Hector stretched his hands out for his son.The boy immediately shrank back against the breastof the finely girdled nurse, crying out in terror to see his own dear father, scared at the sight of bronze, the horse-hair plume nodding fearfully from his helmet top. [470]The child's loving father laughed, his noble mother, too. Glorious Hector pulled the glittering helmet off 580and set it on the ground. Then he kissed his dear sonand held him in his arms. He prayed aloud to Zeus and the rest of the immortals.
"Zeus, all you other gods, grant that this child, my son, may become, like me, pre-eminent among the Trojans, as strong and brave as me. Grant that he may ruleTroy with strength. May people someday say, as he returns from war, 'This man is far better than his father.' May he carry backbloody spoils from his slaughtered enemy, 590 [480]making his mother's heart rejoice."
He placed his son in the hands of his dear wife. She embraced the child on her sweet breast, smilingthrough her tears. Observing her, Hector felt compassion.He took her hand, then spoke to her.
"My dearest wife, don't let your heart be sad on my account. No man will throw me down to Hades before my destined time. I tell you this—no one escapes his fate, not the coward, nor the brave man, from the moment of his birth. 600So you should go into the house, keep busy [490] with your own work, with your loom and wool, telling your servants to set about their tasks.War will be every man's concern, especially mine, of all those who live in Troy."
The Iliad-Book 6 (20pts)
“Hector and Andromache”
Why is Menelaus ridiculed by Agamemnon in this scene? Do you think he made the right decision? Explain. Is this heroic to you? To the Greeks? Explain.
"Take me alive, son of Atreus—you'll getgood ransom. My father is a wealthy man,owns lots of things—bronze, silver, well-worked iron.So he'll give you a splendid ransom,if he learns I'm by Achaean ships, alive." [50]
Adrestus pleaded. Menelaus' heart in his chest was moved.He was about to hand Adrestus to his attendant, to take back captive to the fast Achaean ships. 60But then Agamemnon came running up to him,sharply criticizing Menelaus:
"Menelaus, you soft-hearted man,why are you sparing men's lives like this?In your own home, Trojans treated youexceptionally well, did they not?So don't let any one of them evadea terrible destruction at our hands—not even the young child still carried in his mother's belly. Let no one escape. 70Let everyone in Troy be slaughtered,without pity, without leaving any trace." [60]
With these words, by this appeal to justice,he changed his brother's mind. So Menelausshoved heroic Adrestus away from him. Mighty Agamemnon then speared him in the side. Adrestus fell onto his back. The son of Atreus placed his heel down on his chest and pulled the ash spear out.
Explain the significance of the dialogue between Hector, Paris, and Helen. How does Homer portray each character?
"Paris, you're a worthless man. It's quite wrong of you to nurse that angerin your heart, while men are being destroyed,fighting round the city, its steep walls.It's because of you the sounds of warfarecatch fire round our city. You would fight any man you saw avoiding battle, [330]fleeing war's brutality. So up with you,or soon our city will go up in smoke, 410with fire destroying everything."
Godlike Alexander then replied:
"Hector, your rebuke is not unfair, without reason. So I'll speak plainly. Listen and remember what I'm saying.I'm not sitting in my bedroom hereout of anger or spite against the Trojans. I want to grieve. Just now my wife urged me,using gentle words, to rouse myself to fight. And personally I think that would be best. For victory shifts from one man to another. 420Now, wait here while I put on battle armour. [340]Or go and I'll come later. I'll catch up with you."
Hector of the shining helmet did not reply.Helen spoke to Hector with soothing words:
"Hector, you are my brother, and I'm a horrible, conniving bitch. I wish that on that day my mother bore mesome evil wind had come, carried me away,and swept me off, up into the mountains, or into waves of the tumbling, crashing sea, 430then I would have died before this happened.But since gods have ordained these evil things, I wish I'd been wife to a better man, [350]someone sensitive to others' insults, with feeling for his many shameful acts.This husband of mine has no sense nowand won't acquire any in the future. I expect he'll get from that what he deserves. But come in, sit on this chair, my brother, since this trouble really weighs upon your mind— 440all because I was a bitch—because of thatand Paris' folly, Zeus gives us an evil fate,so we may be subjects for men's songsin generations yet to come."
Great Hector of the shining helmet answered Helen:
"Don't ask me to sit down, Helen. You're kind, [360]but you won't persuade me. For my heart's on fireto help the Trojans, who miss me greatly when I'm gone.But you must rouse Paris, and he, too, should hurry, so he can catch up with me inside the city. 450I'm going home, to visit my dear wifeand infant son, for I've no idea whether I'll be coming back to them again, or if the gods will kill me at Achaean hands."
What does the interaction between Hector and Andromache suggest about what is valuable in the lives of men and women at this time? What does it suggest about relationships between spouses at this time? Offer specific examples from the text.
With her came the nurse,holding at her breast their happy infant child, 490 [400]well-loved son of Hector, like a beautiful star.Hector had named him Scamandrius, but others called him Astyanax, lord of the city,because Hector was Troy's only guardian. Hector looked at his son in silence, with a smile.Andromache stood close to him, weeping.Taking Hector by the hand, she spoke to him.
"My dear husband, your warlike spirit will be your death. You've no compassionfor your infant child, for me, your sad wife, 500who before long will be your widow.For soon the Achaeans will attack you, all together, and cut you down. As for me, [410]it would be better, if I'm to lose you,to be buried in the ground. For then I'll haveno other comfort, once you meet your death,except my sorrow. I have no father,no dear mother. For lord Achilles killed my father, when he wiped out Thebe,city with high gates, slaying Eëtion. 510But he didn't strip his corpse—his heartfelt too much shame for that. So he burned him in his finely decorated armourand raised a burial mound above the ashes.Mountain nymphs, daughters of aegis-bearing Zeus, [420]planted elm trees all around his body.I had seven brothers in my home.All went down to Hades in one day, for swift-footed lord Achilles killed them all,while they were guarding their shambling oxen 520and their white shining sheep. As for my mother,who ruled wooded Thebe-under-Placus, he brought her here with all his other spoils.Then he released her for a massive ransom.But archer goddess Artemis then killed herin her father's house. So, Hector, you are nowmy father, noble mother, brother, [430]and my protecting husband. So pity me. Stay here in this tower. Don't orphan your childand make me a widow. Place men by the fig tree, 530where the city is most vulnerable, the wall most easily scaled. Three times their best men have come there to attack, led by the two Ajaxes, the sons of Atreus,famous Idomeneus, and Diomedes,Tydeus' courageous son, incited to itby someone well versed in prophecy or by their own hearts' inclination."
Great Hector of the shining helmet answered her:
"Wife, [440]all this concerns me, too. But I'd be disgraced, 540dreadfully shamed among Trojan menand Trojan women in their trailing gowns, if I should, like a coward, slink away from war.My heart will never prompt me to do that, for I have learned always to be brave, to fight alongside Trojans at the front, striving to win fame for father and myself. My heart and mind know well the day is comingwhen sacred Ilion will be destroyed,along with Priam of the fine ash spear 550and Priam's people. But what pains me mostabout these future sorrows is not so much [450]the Trojans, Hecuba, or king Priam, or even my many noble brothers,who'll fall down in the dust, slaughteredby their enemies. My pain concerns you, when one of the bronze-clad Achaeansleads you off in tears, ends your days of freedom.If then you come to Argos as a slave,working the loom for some other woman, 560fetching water from Hyperia or Messeis,against your will, forced by powerful Fate, then someone, seeing you as you weepmay well say: 'That woman is Hector's wife.He was the finest warrior in battle [460]of all horse-taming Trojans in that war when they fought for Troy.' Someone will say that,and it will bring still more grief to you,to be without such a man to save youfrom days of servitude. May I lie dead, 570 hidden deep under a burial mound, before I hear about your screaming, as you are dragged away."
With these words,glorious Hector stretched his hands out for his son.The boy immediately shrank back against the breastof the finely girdled nurse, crying out in terror to see his own dear father, scared at the sight of bronze, the horse-hair plume nodding fearfully from his helmet top. [470]The child's loving father laughed, his noble mother, too. Glorious Hector pulled the glittering helmet off 580and set it on the ground. Then he kissed his dear sonand held him in his arms. He prayed aloud to Zeus and the rest of the immortals.
"Zeus, all you other gods, grant that this child, my son, may become, like me, pre-eminent among the Trojans, as strong and brave as me. Grant that he may ruleTroy with strength. May people someday say, as he returns from war, 'This man is far better than his father.' May he carry backbloody spoils from his slaughtered enemy, 590 [480]making his mother's heart rejoice."
He placed his son in the hands of his dear wife. She embraced the child on her sweet breast, smilingthrough her tears. Observing her, Hector felt compassion.He took her hand, then spoke to her.
"My dearest wife, don't let your heart be sad on my account. No man will throw me down to Hades before my destined time. I tell you this—no one escapes his fate, not the coward, nor the brave man, from the moment of his birth. 600So you should go into the house, keep busy [490] with your own work, with your loom and wool, telling your servants to set about their tasks.War will be every man's concern, especially mine, of all those who live in Troy."
The Iliad HW
Students turned in the following HW today:
The Iliad
Books 3 & 4
20pts
Read the following pages and respond in complete sentences.
Book 3
Examine the relationship between Paris (Alexandrus) and Hector on these pages. What specifically causes Hector’s anger towards his brother? Is this justified in your opinion? Explain.
When they were close up with one another, Alexandrus came forward as champion on the Trojan side. On his shoulders he bore the skin of a panther, his bow, and his sword, and he brandished two spears shod with bronze as a challenge to the bravest of the Achaeans to meet him in single fight. Menelaus saw him thus stride out before the ranks, and was glad as a hungry lion that lights on the carcase of some goat or horned stag, and devours it there and then, though dogs and youths set upon him. Even thus was Menelaus glad when his eyes caught sight of Alexandrus, for he deemed that now he should be revenged. He sprang, therefore, from his chariot, clad in his suit of armour.
Then Hector upbraided him. "Paris," said he, "evil-hearted Paris, fair to see, but woman-mad, and false of tongue, would that you had never been born, or that you had died unwed. Better so, than live to be disgraced and looked askance at. Will not the Achaeans mock at us and say that we have sent one to champion us who is fair to see but who has neither wit nor courage? Did you not, such as you are, get your following together and sail beyond the seas? Did you not from your a far country carry off a lovely woman wedded among a people of warriors- to bring sorrow upon your father, your city, and your whole country, but joy to your enemies, and hang-dog shamefacedness to yourself? And now can you not dare face Menelaus and learn what manner of man he is whose wife you have stolen? Where indeed would be your lyre and your love-tricks, your comely locks and your fair favour, when you were lying in the dust before him? The Trojans are a weak-kneed people, or ere this you would have had a shirt of stones for the wrongs you have done them." And Alexandrus answered, "Hector, your rebuke is just. You are hard as the axe which a shipwright wields at his work, and cleaves the timber to his liking. As the axe in his hand, so keen is the edge of your scorn. Still, taunt me not with the gifts that golden Venus has given me; they are precious; let not a man disdain them, for the gods give them where they are minded, and none can have them for the asking. If you would have me do battle with Menelaus, bid the Trojans and Achaeans take their seats, while he and I fight in their midst for Helen and all her wealth. Let him who shall be victorious and prove to be the better man take the woman and all she has, to bear them to his home, but let the rest swear to a solemn covenant of peace whereby you Trojans shall stay here in Troy, while the others go home to Argos and the land of the Achaeans."
Explain the emotions that Helen is feeling during this scene. What is causing this?
But Priam bade her draw nigh. "My child," said he, "take your seat in front of me that you may see your former husband, your kinsmen and your friends. I lay no blame upon you, it is the gods, not you who are to blame. It is they that have brought about this terrible war with the Achaeans. Tell me, then, who is yonder huge hero so great and goodly? I have seen men taller by a head, but none so comely and so royal. Surely he must be a king." "Sir," answered Helen, "father of my husband, dear and reverend in my eyes, would that I had chosen death rather than to have come here with your son, far from my bridal chamber, my friends, my darling daughter, and all the companions of my girlhood. But it was not to be, and my lot is one of tears and sorrow. As for your question, the hero of whom you ask is Agamemnon, son of Atreus, a good king and a brave soldier, brother-in-law as surely as that he lives, to my abhorred and miserable self."
Helen describes several heroes on these pages. What words are used for the following heroes?
Odysseus (Ulysses)
Ajax
How do these descriptions set each man apart?
How does she describe herself? Why does she do this?
The old man next looked upon Ulysses; "Tell me," he said, "who is that other, shorter by a head than Agamemnon, but broader across the chest and shoulders? His armour is laid upon the ground, and he stalks in front of the ranks as it were some great woolly ram ordering his ewes." And Helen answered, "He is Ulysses, a man of great craft, son of Laertes. He was born in rugged Ithaca, and excels in all manner of stratagems and subtle cunning."
Priam then caught sight of Ajax and asked, "Who is that great and goodly warrior whose head and broad shoulders tower above the rest of the Argives?" "That," answered Helen, "is huge Ajax, bulwark of the Achaeans, and on the other side of him, among the Cretans, stands Idomeneus looking like a god, and with the captains of the Cretans round him. Often did Menelaus receive him as a guest in our house when he came visiting us from Crete. I see, moreover, many other Achaeans whose names I could tell you, but there are two whom I can nowhere find, Castor, breaker of horses, and Pollux the mighty boxer; they are children of my mother, and own brothers to myself. Either they have not left Lacedaemon, or else, though they have brought their ships, they will not show themselves in battle for the shame and disgrace that I have brought upon them."
On these pages Paris and Menelaus (son of Atreus) battle one-on-one in order to reach a resolution to the conflict. This scene could mean the end of the war. Why doesn’t it end the war? What does this say about the nature of the gods? Write a reaction to the actions of Paris and Helen in the closing scene of Book 3. How do you feel about each one of them?
He poised his spear as he spoke, and hurled it at the shield of Alexandrus. Through shield and cuirass it went, and tore the shirt by his flank, but Alexandrus swerved aside, and thus saved his life. Then the son of Atreus drew his sword, and drove at the projecting part of his helmet, but the sword fell shivered in three or four pieces from his hand, and he cried, looking towards Heaven, "Father Jove, of all gods thou art the most despiteful; I made sure of my revenge, but the sword has broken in my hand, my spear has been hurled in vain, and I have not killed him." With this he flew at Alexandrus, caught him by the horsehair plume of his helmet, and began dragging him towards the Achaeans. The strap of the helmet that went under his chin was choking him, and Menelaus would have dragged him off to his own great glory had not Jove's daughter Venus been quick to mark and to break the strap of oxhide, so that the empty helmet came away in his hand. This he flung to his comrades among the Achaeans, and was again springing upon Alexandrus to run him through with a spear, but Venus snatched him up in a moment (as a god can do), hid him under a cloud of darkness, and conveyed him to his own bedchamber. Then she went to call Helen, and found her on a high tower with the Trojan women crowding round her. She took the form of an old woman who used to dress wool for her when she was still in Lacedaemon, and of whom she was very fond. Thus disguised she plucked her by perfumed robe and said, "Come hither; Alexandrus says you are to go to the house; he is on his bed in his own room, radiant with beauty and dressed in gorgeous apparel. No one would think he had just come from fighting, but rather that he was going to a dance, or had done dancing and was sitting down." With these words she moved the heart of Helen to anger. When she marked the beautiful neck of the goddess, her lovely bosom, and sparkling eyes, she marvelled at her and said, "Goddess, why do you thus beguile me? Are you going to send me afield still further to some man whom you have taken up in Phrygia or fair Meonia? Menelaus has just vanquished Alexandrus, and is to take my hateful self back with him. You are come here to betray me. Go sit with Alexandrus yourself; henceforth be goddess no longer; never let your feet carry you back to Olympus; worry about him and look after him till he make you his wife, or, for the matter of that, his slave- but me? I shall not go; I can garnish his bed no longer; I should be a by-word among all the women of Troy. Besides, I have trouble on my mind." Venus was very angry, and said, "Bold hussy, do not provoke me; if you do, I shall leave you to your fate and hate you as much as I have loved you. I will stir up fierce hatred between Trojans and Achaeans, and you shall come to a bad end." At this Helen was frightened. She wrapped her mantle about her and went in silence, following the goddess and unnoticed by the Trojan women. When they came to the house of Alexandrus the maid-servants set about their work, but Helen went into her own room, and the laughter-loving goddess took a seat and set it for her facing Alexandrus. On this Helen, daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, sat down, and with eyes askance began to upbraid her husband. "So you are come from the fight," said she; "would that you had fallen rather by the hand of that brave man who was my husband. You used to brag that you were a better man with hands and spear than Menelaus. go, but I then, an challenge him again- but I should advise you not to do so, for if you are foolish enough to meet him in single combat, you will soon all by his spear." And Paris answered, "Wife, do not vex me with your reproaches. This time, with the help of Minerva, Menelaus has vanquished me; another time I may myself be victor, for I too have gods that will stand by me. Come, let us lie down together and make friends. Never yet was I so passionately enamoured of you as at this moment- not even when I first carried you off from Lacedaemon and sailed away with you- not even when I had converse with you upon the couch of love in the island of Cranae was I so enthralled by desire of you as now." On this he led her towards the bed, and his wife went with him. Thus they laid themselves on the bed together; but the son of Atreus strode among the throng, looking everywhere for Alexandrus, and no man, neither of the Trojans nor of the allies, could find him. If they had seen him they were in no mind to hide him, for they all of them hated him as they did death itself. Then Agamemnon, king of men, spoke, saying, "Hear me, Trojans, Dardanians, and allies. The victory has been with Menelaus; therefore give back Helen with all her wealth, and pay such fine as shall be agreed upon, in testimony among them that shall be born hereafter." Thus spoke the son of Atreus, and the Achaeans shouted in applause.
Book 4
Explain how the truce ends. Who causes this and why?
Thus would many an one of Achaians and Trojans say. Then the goddess entered the throng of Trojans in the likeness of a man, even Antenor's son Laodokos, a stalwart warrior, and sought for godlike Pandaros, if haply she might find him. Lykaon's son found she, the noble and stalwart,
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standing, and about him the stalwart ranks of the shield-bearing host that followed him from the streams of Aisepos. So she came near and spake winged words: "Wilt thou now hearken to me, thou wise son of Lykaon? Then wouldst thou take heart to shoot a swift arrow at Menelaos, and wouldst win favour and glory before all the Trojans, and before king Alexandros most of all. Surely from him first of any wouldst thou receive glorious gifts, if perchance he see Menelaos, Atreus' warrior son, vanquished by thy dart and brought to the grievous pyre. Go to now, shoot at glorious Menelaos, and vow to Apollo, the son of light [Or, perhaps, "the Wolf-born"], the lord of archery, to sacrifice a goodly hecatomb of firstling lambs when thou art returned to thy home, in the city of holy Zeleia."
So spake Athene, and persuaded his fool's heart. Forthwith he unsheathed his polished bow of horn of a wild ibex that he himself had erst smitten beneath the breast as it came forth from a rock, the while he awaited in a lurking-place; and had pierced it in the chest, so that it fell backward on the rock. Now from its head sprang there horns of sixteen palms; these the artificer, even the worker in horn, joined cunningly together, and polished them all well and set the top of gold thereon. So he laid it down when he had well strung it, by resting it upon the ground; and his staunch comrades held their shields before him, lest the warrior sons of the Achaians should first set on them, ere Menelaos, Atreus' son, were smitten. Then opened he the lid of his quiver and took forth a feathered arrow, never yet shot, a source of grievous pangs; and anon he laid the bitter dart upon the string and vowed to Apollo, the son of light, the lord of archery, to sacrifice a goodly hecatomb of firstling lambs when he should have returned to his home
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in the city of holy Zeleia. Then he took the notch and string of oxes' sinew together, and drew, bringing to his breast the string, and to the bow the iron head. So when he had now bent the great bow into a round, the horn twanged, and the string sang aloud, and the keen arrow leapt eager to wing his way amid the throng.
But the blessed gods immortal forgat not thee, Menelaos; and before all the daughter of Zeus, the driver of the spoil, who stood before thee and warded off the piercing dart. She turned it just aside from the flesh, even as a mother driveth a fly from her child that lieth in sweet slumber; and with her own hand guided it where the golden buckles of the belt were clasped and the doubled breastplate met them. So the bitter arrow lighted upon the firm belt; through the inwrought belt it sped and through the curiously wrought breastplate it pressed on and through the taslet [and apron or belt set with metal, worn below the corslet] he wore to shield his flesh, a barrier against darts; and this best shielded him, yet it passed on even through this. Then did the arrow graze the warrior's outermost flesh, and forthwith the dusky blood flowed from the wound.
As when some woman of Maionia or Karia staineth ivory with purple, to make a cheek-piece for horses, and it is laid up in the treasure chamber, and many a horseman prayeth for it to wear; but it is laid up to be a king's boast, alike an adornment for his horse and a glory for his charioteer; even in such wise, Menelaos, were thy shapely thighs stained with blood and thy legs and thy fair ankles beneath.
Thereat shuddered Agamemnon king of men when he saw the black blood flowing from the wound. And Menelaos dear to Ares likewise shuddered; but when he saw how thread [by which the iron head was attached to the shaft] and bards were without, his spirit was gathered
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in his breast again. Then lord Agamemnon moaned deep, and spake among them, holding Menelaos by the hand; and his comrades made moan the while: "Dear brother, to thy death, meseemeth, pledged I these oaths, setting thee forth to fight the Trojans alone before the face of the Achaians; seeing that the Trojans have so smitten thee, and trodden under floor the trusty oaths. Yet in no wise is and oath of none effect, and the blood of lambs and pure drink-offerings and the right hands of fellowship wherein we trusted. For even if the Olympian bring not about the fulfilment forthwith, yet doth he fulfil at last, and men make dear amends, even with their own heads and their wives and little ones. Yea of a surety I know this in heart and soul; the day shall come for holy Ilios to be laid low, and Priam and the folk of Priam of the good ashen spear; and Zeus the son of Kronos enthroned on high, that dwelleth in the heaven, himself shall brandish over them all his lowring aegis, in indignation at this deceit. Then shall all this not be void; yet shall I have sore sorrow for thee, Menelaos, if thou die and fulfil the lot of life. Yea in utter shame should I return to thirsty Argos, seeing that the Achaians will forthwith bethink them of their native land, and so should we leave to Priam and the Trojans their boast, even Helen of Argos. And the earth shall rot thy bones as thou liest in Troy with thy task unfinished: and thus shall many an overweening Trojan say as he leapeth upon the tomb of glorious Menelaos: 'Would to God Agamemnon might so fulfil his wrath in every matter, even as now he led hither the host of the Achaians for naught, and hath gone home again to his dear native land with empty ships, and hath left noble Menelaos behind.' Thus shall men say hereafter: in that day let the wide earth gape for me."
This is the first battle scene in the story. What techniques does Homer use to make the massive assault personal to the reader? What cultural aspects are present in this scene? Give an example of repetition and explain why it is used.
He spake and leapt in his armour from the chariot to earth, and terribly rang the bronze upon the chieftain's breast as he moved; thereat might fear have come even upon one stout-hearted.
As when on the echoing beach the sea-wave lifteth up itself in close array before the driving of the west wind; out on the deep doth it first raise its head, and then breaketh upon the land and belloweth aloud and goeth with arching crest about the promontories, and speweth the foaming brine afar; even so in close array moved the battalions of the Danaans without pause to battle. Each captain gave his men the word, and the rest went silently; thou wouldest not deem that all the great host following them had any voice within their breasts; in silence feared they their captains. On every man glittered the inwrought armour wherewith they went clad. But for the Trojans, like sheep beyond number that stand in the courtyard of a man of great substance, to be milked of their white milk, and bleat without ceasing to hear their lambs' cry, even so arose the clamour of the Trojans through the wide host. For they had not all like speech nor one language, but their tongues were mingled, and they were brought from many lands. These were urged on of Ares, and those of bright-eyed Athene, and Terror and Rout, and Strife whose fury wearieth not, sister and
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friend of murderous Ares; her crest is but lowly at the first, but afterward she holdeth up her head in heaven and her feet walk upon the earth. She now cast common discord in their midst, as she fared through the throng and made the lamentation of men to wax.
Now when they were met together and come unto one spot, then clashed they targe and spear and fury of bronze-clad warrior; the bossed shields pressed each on each and mighty din arose. Then were heard the voice of groaning and the voice of triumph together of the slayers and the slain, and the earth streamed with blood. As when two winter torrents flow down the mountains to a watersmeet and join their furious flood within the ravine from their great springs, and the shepherd heareth the roaring far off among the hills: even so from the joining of battle came there forth shouting and travail. Antilochos first slew a Trojan warrior in full array, valiant amid the champions, Echepolos son of Thalysios; him was he first to smite upon the ridge of his crested helmet, and he drave the spear into his brow and the point of bronze passed within the bone; darkness clouded his eyes, and he crashed like a tower amid the press of fight. As he fell lord Elephenor caught him by the foot, Chalkodon's son, captain of the great-hearted Abantes, and dragged him from beneath the darts, eager with all speed to despoil him of his armour. Yet but for a little endured his essay; great-hearted Agenor saw him haling away the corpse, and where his side was left uncovered of his buckler as he bowed him down, there smote he him with bronze-tipped spear-shaft and unstrung his limbs. So his life departed from him, and over his corpse the task of Trojans and Achaians grew hot; like wolves leapt they one at another, and man lashed at man.
Next Telamonian Aias smote Anthemion's son, the lusty
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stripling Simoeisios, whose erst is mother bare beside the banks of Simoeis on the way down from Ida whither she had followed with her parents to see their flocks. Therefore they called him Simoeisios, but he repaid not his dear parents the recompense of his nurture; scanty was his span of life by reason of the spear of great-hearted Aias that laid him low. For as he went he first was smitten on his right breast beside the pap; straight though his shoulder passed the spear of bronze, and he fell to the ground in the dust like a poplar-tree, that hath grown up smooth in the lowland of a great marsh, and its branches grow upon the top thereof; this hath a wainwright felled with gleaming steel, to bend him a felloe for a goodly chariot, and so it lies drying by a river's banks. In such a fashion did heaven-sprung Aias slay Simoeisios son of Anthemion; then at him Antiphos of the glancing corslet, Priam's son, made a cast with his keen javelin across the throng. Him he missed, but smote Odysseus' valiant comrade Leukos in the groin as he drew the corpse his way, so that he fell upon it and the body dropped from his hands. Then Odysseus was very wroth at heart for the slaying of him, and strode through the forefront of the battle harnessed in flashing bronze, and went and stood hard by and glanced around him, and cast his bright javelin; and the Trojans shrank before the casting of the hero. He sped not the dart in vain, but smote Demokoon, Priam's bastard son that had come to him from tending his fleet mares in Abydos. Him Odysseus, being wroth for his comrade's sake, smote with his javelin on one temple; and through both temples passed the point of bronze, and darkness clouded his eyes, and he fell with a crash and his armour clanged upon him. Then the forefighters and glorious Hector yielded, and the Argives shouted aloud, and drew the bodies unto them, and pressed yet further
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onward. But Apollo looked down from Pergamos, and had indignation, and with a shout called to the Trojans: "Arise, ye Trojans, tamers of horses; yield not to the Argives in fight; not of stone nor iron is their flesh, that it should resist the piercing bronze when they are smitten. Moreover Achilles, son of Thetis of the fair tresses, fighteth not, but amid the ships broodeth on his bitter anger."
So spake the dread god from the city; and the Achaians likewise were urged on of Zeus' daughter the Triton-born, most glorious, as she passed through the throng wheresoever she beheld them slackening.
Next was Diores son of Amrynkeus caught in the snare of fate; for he was smitten by a jagged stone on the right leg hard by the ankle, and the caster thereof was captain of the men of Thrace, Peirros son of Imbrasos that had come from Ainos. The pitiless stone crushed utterly the two sinews and the bones; back fell he in the dust, and stretched out both his hands to his dear comrades, gasping out his soul. Then he that smote him, even Peiroos, sprang at him and pierced him with a spear beside the navel; so all his bowels gushed forth upon the ground, and darkness clouded his eyes. But even as Peiroos departed from him Thoas of Aitolia smote with a spear his chest above the pap, and the point fixed in his lung. Then Thoas came close, and plucked out from his breast the ponderous spear, and drew his sharp sword, wherewith he smote his belly in the midst, and took his life. Yet he stripped not off his armour; for his comrades, the men of Thrace that wear the top-knot, stood around, their long spears in their hands, and albeit he was great and valiant and proud they drave him off from them and he gave ground reeling. So were the two captains stretched in the dust side by side, he of the
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Thracians and he of the mail-clad Epeians; and around them were many others likewise slain.
Now would none any more enter in and make light of the battle, could it be that a man yet unwounded by dart or thrust of keen bronze might roam in the midst, being led of Pallas Athene by the hand, and by her guarded from the flying shafts. For many Trojans that day and many Achaians were laid side by side upon their faces in the dust.
The Iliad
Books 3 & 4
20pts
Read the following pages and respond in complete sentences.
Book 3
Examine the relationship between Paris (Alexandrus) and Hector on these pages. What specifically causes Hector’s anger towards his brother? Is this justified in your opinion? Explain.
When they were close up with one another, Alexandrus came forward as champion on the Trojan side. On his shoulders he bore the skin of a panther, his bow, and his sword, and he brandished two spears shod with bronze as a challenge to the bravest of the Achaeans to meet him in single fight. Menelaus saw him thus stride out before the ranks, and was glad as a hungry lion that lights on the carcase of some goat or horned stag, and devours it there and then, though dogs and youths set upon him. Even thus was Menelaus glad when his eyes caught sight of Alexandrus, for he deemed that now he should be revenged. He sprang, therefore, from his chariot, clad in his suit of armour.
Then Hector upbraided him. "Paris," said he, "evil-hearted Paris, fair to see, but woman-mad, and false of tongue, would that you had never been born, or that you had died unwed. Better so, than live to be disgraced and looked askance at. Will not the Achaeans mock at us and say that we have sent one to champion us who is fair to see but who has neither wit nor courage? Did you not, such as you are, get your following together and sail beyond the seas? Did you not from your a far country carry off a lovely woman wedded among a people of warriors- to bring sorrow upon your father, your city, and your whole country, but joy to your enemies, and hang-dog shamefacedness to yourself? And now can you not dare face Menelaus and learn what manner of man he is whose wife you have stolen? Where indeed would be your lyre and your love-tricks, your comely locks and your fair favour, when you were lying in the dust before him? The Trojans are a weak-kneed people, or ere this you would have had a shirt of stones for the wrongs you have done them." And Alexandrus answered, "Hector, your rebuke is just. You are hard as the axe which a shipwright wields at his work, and cleaves the timber to his liking. As the axe in his hand, so keen is the edge of your scorn. Still, taunt me not with the gifts that golden Venus has given me; they are precious; let not a man disdain them, for the gods give them where they are minded, and none can have them for the asking. If you would have me do battle with Menelaus, bid the Trojans and Achaeans take their seats, while he and I fight in their midst for Helen and all her wealth. Let him who shall be victorious and prove to be the better man take the woman and all she has, to bear them to his home, but let the rest swear to a solemn covenant of peace whereby you Trojans shall stay here in Troy, while the others go home to Argos and the land of the Achaeans."
Explain the emotions that Helen is feeling during this scene. What is causing this?
But Priam bade her draw nigh. "My child," said he, "take your seat in front of me that you may see your former husband, your kinsmen and your friends. I lay no blame upon you, it is the gods, not you who are to blame. It is they that have brought about this terrible war with the Achaeans. Tell me, then, who is yonder huge hero so great and goodly? I have seen men taller by a head, but none so comely and so royal. Surely he must be a king." "Sir," answered Helen, "father of my husband, dear and reverend in my eyes, would that I had chosen death rather than to have come here with your son, far from my bridal chamber, my friends, my darling daughter, and all the companions of my girlhood. But it was not to be, and my lot is one of tears and sorrow. As for your question, the hero of whom you ask is Agamemnon, son of Atreus, a good king and a brave soldier, brother-in-law as surely as that he lives, to my abhorred and miserable self."
Helen describes several heroes on these pages. What words are used for the following heroes?
Odysseus (Ulysses)
Ajax
How do these descriptions set each man apart?
How does she describe herself? Why does she do this?
The old man next looked upon Ulysses; "Tell me," he said, "who is that other, shorter by a head than Agamemnon, but broader across the chest and shoulders? His armour is laid upon the ground, and he stalks in front of the ranks as it were some great woolly ram ordering his ewes." And Helen answered, "He is Ulysses, a man of great craft, son of Laertes. He was born in rugged Ithaca, and excels in all manner of stratagems and subtle cunning."
Priam then caught sight of Ajax and asked, "Who is that great and goodly warrior whose head and broad shoulders tower above the rest of the Argives?" "That," answered Helen, "is huge Ajax, bulwark of the Achaeans, and on the other side of him, among the Cretans, stands Idomeneus looking like a god, and with the captains of the Cretans round him. Often did Menelaus receive him as a guest in our house when he came visiting us from Crete. I see, moreover, many other Achaeans whose names I could tell you, but there are two whom I can nowhere find, Castor, breaker of horses, and Pollux the mighty boxer; they are children of my mother, and own brothers to myself. Either they have not left Lacedaemon, or else, though they have brought their ships, they will not show themselves in battle for the shame and disgrace that I have brought upon them."
On these pages Paris and Menelaus (son of Atreus) battle one-on-one in order to reach a resolution to the conflict. This scene could mean the end of the war. Why doesn’t it end the war? What does this say about the nature of the gods? Write a reaction to the actions of Paris and Helen in the closing scene of Book 3. How do you feel about each one of them?
He poised his spear as he spoke, and hurled it at the shield of Alexandrus. Through shield and cuirass it went, and tore the shirt by his flank, but Alexandrus swerved aside, and thus saved his life. Then the son of Atreus drew his sword, and drove at the projecting part of his helmet, but the sword fell shivered in three or four pieces from his hand, and he cried, looking towards Heaven, "Father Jove, of all gods thou art the most despiteful; I made sure of my revenge, but the sword has broken in my hand, my spear has been hurled in vain, and I have not killed him." With this he flew at Alexandrus, caught him by the horsehair plume of his helmet, and began dragging him towards the Achaeans. The strap of the helmet that went under his chin was choking him, and Menelaus would have dragged him off to his own great glory had not Jove's daughter Venus been quick to mark and to break the strap of oxhide, so that the empty helmet came away in his hand. This he flung to his comrades among the Achaeans, and was again springing upon Alexandrus to run him through with a spear, but Venus snatched him up in a moment (as a god can do), hid him under a cloud of darkness, and conveyed him to his own bedchamber. Then she went to call Helen, and found her on a high tower with the Trojan women crowding round her. She took the form of an old woman who used to dress wool for her when she was still in Lacedaemon, and of whom she was very fond. Thus disguised she plucked her by perfumed robe and said, "Come hither; Alexandrus says you are to go to the house; he is on his bed in his own room, radiant with beauty and dressed in gorgeous apparel. No one would think he had just come from fighting, but rather that he was going to a dance, or had done dancing and was sitting down." With these words she moved the heart of Helen to anger. When she marked the beautiful neck of the goddess, her lovely bosom, and sparkling eyes, she marvelled at her and said, "Goddess, why do you thus beguile me? Are you going to send me afield still further to some man whom you have taken up in Phrygia or fair Meonia? Menelaus has just vanquished Alexandrus, and is to take my hateful self back with him. You are come here to betray me. Go sit with Alexandrus yourself; henceforth be goddess no longer; never let your feet carry you back to Olympus; worry about him and look after him till he make you his wife, or, for the matter of that, his slave- but me? I shall not go; I can garnish his bed no longer; I should be a by-word among all the women of Troy. Besides, I have trouble on my mind." Venus was very angry, and said, "Bold hussy, do not provoke me; if you do, I shall leave you to your fate and hate you as much as I have loved you. I will stir up fierce hatred between Trojans and Achaeans, and you shall come to a bad end." At this Helen was frightened. She wrapped her mantle about her and went in silence, following the goddess and unnoticed by the Trojan women. When they came to the house of Alexandrus the maid-servants set about their work, but Helen went into her own room, and the laughter-loving goddess took a seat and set it for her facing Alexandrus. On this Helen, daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, sat down, and with eyes askance began to upbraid her husband. "So you are come from the fight," said she; "would that you had fallen rather by the hand of that brave man who was my husband. You used to brag that you were a better man with hands and spear than Menelaus. go, but I then, an challenge him again- but I should advise you not to do so, for if you are foolish enough to meet him in single combat, you will soon all by his spear." And Paris answered, "Wife, do not vex me with your reproaches. This time, with the help of Minerva, Menelaus has vanquished me; another time I may myself be victor, for I too have gods that will stand by me. Come, let us lie down together and make friends. Never yet was I so passionately enamoured of you as at this moment- not even when I first carried you off from Lacedaemon and sailed away with you- not even when I had converse with you upon the couch of love in the island of Cranae was I so enthralled by desire of you as now." On this he led her towards the bed, and his wife went with him. Thus they laid themselves on the bed together; but the son of Atreus strode among the throng, looking everywhere for Alexandrus, and no man, neither of the Trojans nor of the allies, could find him. If they had seen him they were in no mind to hide him, for they all of them hated him as they did death itself. Then Agamemnon, king of men, spoke, saying, "Hear me, Trojans, Dardanians, and allies. The victory has been with Menelaus; therefore give back Helen with all her wealth, and pay such fine as shall be agreed upon, in testimony among them that shall be born hereafter." Thus spoke the son of Atreus, and the Achaeans shouted in applause.
Book 4
Explain how the truce ends. Who causes this and why?
Thus would many an one of Achaians and Trojans say. Then the goddess entered the throng of Trojans in the likeness of a man, even Antenor's son Laodokos, a stalwart warrior, and sought for godlike Pandaros, if haply she might find him. Lykaon's son found she, the noble and stalwart,
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standing, and about him the stalwart ranks of the shield-bearing host that followed him from the streams of Aisepos. So she came near and spake winged words: "Wilt thou now hearken to me, thou wise son of Lykaon? Then wouldst thou take heart to shoot a swift arrow at Menelaos, and wouldst win favour and glory before all the Trojans, and before king Alexandros most of all. Surely from him first of any wouldst thou receive glorious gifts, if perchance he see Menelaos, Atreus' warrior son, vanquished by thy dart and brought to the grievous pyre. Go to now, shoot at glorious Menelaos, and vow to Apollo, the son of light [Or, perhaps, "the Wolf-born"], the lord of archery, to sacrifice a goodly hecatomb of firstling lambs when thou art returned to thy home, in the city of holy Zeleia."
So spake Athene, and persuaded his fool's heart. Forthwith he unsheathed his polished bow of horn of a wild ibex that he himself had erst smitten beneath the breast as it came forth from a rock, the while he awaited in a lurking-place; and had pierced it in the chest, so that it fell backward on the rock. Now from its head sprang there horns of sixteen palms; these the artificer, even the worker in horn, joined cunningly together, and polished them all well and set the top of gold thereon. So he laid it down when he had well strung it, by resting it upon the ground; and his staunch comrades held their shields before him, lest the warrior sons of the Achaians should first set on them, ere Menelaos, Atreus' son, were smitten. Then opened he the lid of his quiver and took forth a feathered arrow, never yet shot, a source of grievous pangs; and anon he laid the bitter dart upon the string and vowed to Apollo, the son of light, the lord of archery, to sacrifice a goodly hecatomb of firstling lambs when he should have returned to his home
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in the city of holy Zeleia. Then he took the notch and string of oxes' sinew together, and drew, bringing to his breast the string, and to the bow the iron head. So when he had now bent the great bow into a round, the horn twanged, and the string sang aloud, and the keen arrow leapt eager to wing his way amid the throng.
But the blessed gods immortal forgat not thee, Menelaos; and before all the daughter of Zeus, the driver of the spoil, who stood before thee and warded off the piercing dart. She turned it just aside from the flesh, even as a mother driveth a fly from her child that lieth in sweet slumber; and with her own hand guided it where the golden buckles of the belt were clasped and the doubled breastplate met them. So the bitter arrow lighted upon the firm belt; through the inwrought belt it sped and through the curiously wrought breastplate it pressed on and through the taslet [and apron or belt set with metal, worn below the corslet] he wore to shield his flesh, a barrier against darts; and this best shielded him, yet it passed on even through this. Then did the arrow graze the warrior's outermost flesh, and forthwith the dusky blood flowed from the wound.
As when some woman of Maionia or Karia staineth ivory with purple, to make a cheek-piece for horses, and it is laid up in the treasure chamber, and many a horseman prayeth for it to wear; but it is laid up to be a king's boast, alike an adornment for his horse and a glory for his charioteer; even in such wise, Menelaos, were thy shapely thighs stained with blood and thy legs and thy fair ankles beneath.
Thereat shuddered Agamemnon king of men when he saw the black blood flowing from the wound. And Menelaos dear to Ares likewise shuddered; but when he saw how thread [by which the iron head was attached to the shaft] and bards were without, his spirit was gathered
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in his breast again. Then lord Agamemnon moaned deep, and spake among them, holding Menelaos by the hand; and his comrades made moan the while: "Dear brother, to thy death, meseemeth, pledged I these oaths, setting thee forth to fight the Trojans alone before the face of the Achaians; seeing that the Trojans have so smitten thee, and trodden under floor the trusty oaths. Yet in no wise is and oath of none effect, and the blood of lambs and pure drink-offerings and the right hands of fellowship wherein we trusted. For even if the Olympian bring not about the fulfilment forthwith, yet doth he fulfil at last, and men make dear amends, even with their own heads and their wives and little ones. Yea of a surety I know this in heart and soul; the day shall come for holy Ilios to be laid low, and Priam and the folk of Priam of the good ashen spear; and Zeus the son of Kronos enthroned on high, that dwelleth in the heaven, himself shall brandish over them all his lowring aegis, in indignation at this deceit. Then shall all this not be void; yet shall I have sore sorrow for thee, Menelaos, if thou die and fulfil the lot of life. Yea in utter shame should I return to thirsty Argos, seeing that the Achaians will forthwith bethink them of their native land, and so should we leave to Priam and the Trojans their boast, even Helen of Argos. And the earth shall rot thy bones as thou liest in Troy with thy task unfinished: and thus shall many an overweening Trojan say as he leapeth upon the tomb of glorious Menelaos: 'Would to God Agamemnon might so fulfil his wrath in every matter, even as now he led hither the host of the Achaians for naught, and hath gone home again to his dear native land with empty ships, and hath left noble Menelaos behind.' Thus shall men say hereafter: in that day let the wide earth gape for me."
This is the first battle scene in the story. What techniques does Homer use to make the massive assault personal to the reader? What cultural aspects are present in this scene? Give an example of repetition and explain why it is used.
He spake and leapt in his armour from the chariot to earth, and terribly rang the bronze upon the chieftain's breast as he moved; thereat might fear have come even upon one stout-hearted.
As when on the echoing beach the sea-wave lifteth up itself in close array before the driving of the west wind; out on the deep doth it first raise its head, and then breaketh upon the land and belloweth aloud and goeth with arching crest about the promontories, and speweth the foaming brine afar; even so in close array moved the battalions of the Danaans without pause to battle. Each captain gave his men the word, and the rest went silently; thou wouldest not deem that all the great host following them had any voice within their breasts; in silence feared they their captains. On every man glittered the inwrought armour wherewith they went clad. But for the Trojans, like sheep beyond number that stand in the courtyard of a man of great substance, to be milked of their white milk, and bleat without ceasing to hear their lambs' cry, even so arose the clamour of the Trojans through the wide host. For they had not all like speech nor one language, but their tongues were mingled, and they were brought from many lands. These were urged on of Ares, and those of bright-eyed Athene, and Terror and Rout, and Strife whose fury wearieth not, sister and
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friend of murderous Ares; her crest is but lowly at the first, but afterward she holdeth up her head in heaven and her feet walk upon the earth. She now cast common discord in their midst, as she fared through the throng and made the lamentation of men to wax.
Now when they were met together and come unto one spot, then clashed they targe and spear and fury of bronze-clad warrior; the bossed shields pressed each on each and mighty din arose. Then were heard the voice of groaning and the voice of triumph together of the slayers and the slain, and the earth streamed with blood. As when two winter torrents flow down the mountains to a watersmeet and join their furious flood within the ravine from their great springs, and the shepherd heareth the roaring far off among the hills: even so from the joining of battle came there forth shouting and travail. Antilochos first slew a Trojan warrior in full array, valiant amid the champions, Echepolos son of Thalysios; him was he first to smite upon the ridge of his crested helmet, and he drave the spear into his brow and the point of bronze passed within the bone; darkness clouded his eyes, and he crashed like a tower amid the press of fight. As he fell lord Elephenor caught him by the foot, Chalkodon's son, captain of the great-hearted Abantes, and dragged him from beneath the darts, eager with all speed to despoil him of his armour. Yet but for a little endured his essay; great-hearted Agenor saw him haling away the corpse, and where his side was left uncovered of his buckler as he bowed him down, there smote he him with bronze-tipped spear-shaft and unstrung his limbs. So his life departed from him, and over his corpse the task of Trojans and Achaians grew hot; like wolves leapt they one at another, and man lashed at man.
Next Telamonian Aias smote Anthemion's son, the lusty
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stripling Simoeisios, whose erst is mother bare beside the banks of Simoeis on the way down from Ida whither she had followed with her parents to see their flocks. Therefore they called him Simoeisios, but he repaid not his dear parents the recompense of his nurture; scanty was his span of life by reason of the spear of great-hearted Aias that laid him low. For as he went he first was smitten on his right breast beside the pap; straight though his shoulder passed the spear of bronze, and he fell to the ground in the dust like a poplar-tree, that hath grown up smooth in the lowland of a great marsh, and its branches grow upon the top thereof; this hath a wainwright felled with gleaming steel, to bend him a felloe for a goodly chariot, and so it lies drying by a river's banks. In such a fashion did heaven-sprung Aias slay Simoeisios son of Anthemion; then at him Antiphos of the glancing corslet, Priam's son, made a cast with his keen javelin across the throng. Him he missed, but smote Odysseus' valiant comrade Leukos in the groin as he drew the corpse his way, so that he fell upon it and the body dropped from his hands. Then Odysseus was very wroth at heart for the slaying of him, and strode through the forefront of the battle harnessed in flashing bronze, and went and stood hard by and glanced around him, and cast his bright javelin; and the Trojans shrank before the casting of the hero. He sped not the dart in vain, but smote Demokoon, Priam's bastard son that had come to him from tending his fleet mares in Abydos. Him Odysseus, being wroth for his comrade's sake, smote with his javelin on one temple; and through both temples passed the point of bronze, and darkness clouded his eyes, and he fell with a crash and his armour clanged upon him. Then the forefighters and glorious Hector yielded, and the Argives shouted aloud, and drew the bodies unto them, and pressed yet further
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onward. But Apollo looked down from Pergamos, and had indignation, and with a shout called to the Trojans: "Arise, ye Trojans, tamers of horses; yield not to the Argives in fight; not of stone nor iron is their flesh, that it should resist the piercing bronze when they are smitten. Moreover Achilles, son of Thetis of the fair tresses, fighteth not, but amid the ships broodeth on his bitter anger."
So spake the dread god from the city; and the Achaians likewise were urged on of Zeus' daughter the Triton-born, most glorious, as she passed through the throng wheresoever she beheld them slackening.
Next was Diores son of Amrynkeus caught in the snare of fate; for he was smitten by a jagged stone on the right leg hard by the ankle, and the caster thereof was captain of the men of Thrace, Peirros son of Imbrasos that had come from Ainos. The pitiless stone crushed utterly the two sinews and the bones; back fell he in the dust, and stretched out both his hands to his dear comrades, gasping out his soul. Then he that smote him, even Peiroos, sprang at him and pierced him with a spear beside the navel; so all his bowels gushed forth upon the ground, and darkness clouded his eyes. But even as Peiroos departed from him Thoas of Aitolia smote with a spear his chest above the pap, and the point fixed in his lung. Then Thoas came close, and plucked out from his breast the ponderous spear, and drew his sharp sword, wherewith he smote his belly in the midst, and took his life. Yet he stripped not off his armour; for his comrades, the men of Thrace that wear the top-knot, stood around, their long spears in their hands, and albeit he was great and valiant and proud they drave him off from them and he gave ground reeling. So were the two captains stretched in the dust side by side, he of the
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Thracians and he of the mail-clad Epeians; and around them were many others likewise slain.
Now would none any more enter in and make light of the battle, could it be that a man yet unwounded by dart or thrust of keen bronze might roam in the midst, being led of Pallas Athene by the hand, and by her guarded from the flying shafts. For many Trojans that day and many Achaians were laid side by side upon their faces in the dust.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Iliad Book 1
Students are currently working on the following assignment in class:
The Iliad
Book 1
“The Rage of Achilles”
20pts
What are the different layers of the conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles? How is Agamemnon forced to take the action he does relative to Achilles, and how is Achilles forced to respond as he does? How would each character’s actions be viewed today? Who do you support and why?
Respond to both Achilles and his mother Thetis as they are presented in this section. Explain what they do and also how this affects your opinion of them.
Sing, Goddess, sing of the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus—that murderous anger which condemned Achaeansto countless agonies and threw many warrior soulsdeep into Hades, leaving their dead bodiescarrion food for dogs and birds—all in fulfillment of the will of Zeus.
Start at the point where Agamemnon, son of Atreus,that king of men, quarreled with noble Achilles.Which of the gods incited these two men to fight?
That god was Apollo, son of Zeus and Leto. 10Angry with Agamemnon, he cast plague down [10]onto the troops—deadly infectious evil.For Agamemnon had dishonoured the god's priest,Chryses, who'd come to the ships to find his daughter,Chryseis, bringing with him a huge ransom.In his hand he held up on a golden staffthe scarf sacred to archer god Apollo.He begged Achaeans, above all the army's leaders,the two sons of Atreus:
"Menelaus, Agamemnon, sons of Atreus, 20all you well-armed Achaeans, may the gods on Olympus grant you wipe out Priam's city,and then return home safe and sound.Release my dear child to me. Take this ransom. [20]Honour Apollo, far-shooting son of Zeus."
All the Achaeans roared out their support:
"Respect the priest. Take the generous ransom."
Displeased, Agamemnon dismissed Chryses roughly—
"Old man,don't let me catch you by our hollow ships, sneaking back here today or later on. 30Who cares about Apollo's scarf and staff? I'll not release the girl to you, no, not beforeshe's grown old with me in Argos, far from home, [30]working the loom, sharing my bed. Go away. If you want to get home safely, don't anger me."
For nine days Apollo rained death down upon the troops. On the tenth, Achilles summoned an assembly.White-armed Hera put that thought into his mind,concerned for the Danaans, seeing them die. 60The men gathered. The meeting came to order. Swift-footed Achilles rose to speak:
"Son of Atreus,I fear we're being beaten back, forced home,if we aren't all going to be destroyed right here, [60]with war and plague killing off Achaeans. Come now, let's ask some prophet, priest,interpreter of dreams—for dreams, too, come from Zeus—a man who might say why Apollo is so angry, whether he faults our prayers and offerings, whether somehow he'll welcome sacrificial smoke 70from perfect lambs and goats, then rouse himself and release us from this plague."
Encouraged, the wise prophet then declared:
"Apollo does not fault us for prayers or offerings, but for his priest, disgraced by Agamemnon, who did not free his daughter and take ransom. 100 That's why the archer god has brought disaster, and will bring still more. He won't remove this wretched plague from the Danaans,until we hand back bright-eyed Chryseis,give her to her beloved father, freely, without ransom, and offer holy sacrifice to Chryse. If we will carry out all that,we may change Apollo's mind, appease him." [100]
So he spoke and sat back down. Then, Atreus' son,wide-ruling, mighty Agamemnon, stood up before them, 110 incensed, spirit filled with huge black rage. Eyes blazing fire, he rounded first on Calchas:
"Prophet of evil, when have you ever saidgood things to me? You love to predict the worst,always the worst! You never show good news. Now, in prophecy to the Danaans, you say archer Apollo brings us pain [110]because I was unwilling to acceptfine ransom for Chryses' daughter, Chryseis.But I have a great desire to take her home. 120In fact, I want her more than Clytaemnestra, the wife I married. Chryseis is just as good in her shape, physique, intelligence, or work.Still, I'm prepared to give her back, if that's best.I want the people safe, not all killed off.But then you'll owe me another prize.I won't be the only Argive left without a gift. That would be entirely unfair to me. You all can see my spoils are going elsewhere." [120]
At that point, swift-footed Achilles answered the king: 130
"Noble son of Atreus, most acquisitive of men, how can brave Achaeans give you a prize now? There are none left for us to pass around. We've divided up what we allotted, loot from captured towns we devastated.For men to make a common pile againwould be most unfair. Send the girl back now, as the god demands. Should Zeus ever grantwe pillage Troy, a city rich in goods,we'll give you three or four times as much." 140
Mighty Agamemnon then said in reply: [130]
"Achilles, you're a fine man, like a god.But don't conceal what's in your heart.You'll not trick me or win me with your words.You intend to keep your prizes for yourself, while the army takes my trophy from me. That's why you tell me to give Chryseis back.Let Achaeans give me another prize, equal in value, something I'll enjoy. If not, then I'll take a prize myself by force, 150something from you or Ajax or Odysseus. The man I visit is going to be enraged. But let's postpone discussion of all this. [140]Let's drag a black ship to the sacred sea,select a crew, load oxen on for sacrifice, and Chryseis, that fair-complexioned girl. Let's have as leader some wise counselor—Idomeneus, Ajax, godlike Odysseus, or you, Peleus's son, most eminent of all,so with a sacrifice we may appease 160the god who shoots from far away."
Scowling grimly, swift-footed Achilles interposed:
"You insatiable creature, quite shameless.How can any Achaean obey you willingly— [150]join a raiding party or keep fightingwith full force against an enemy?I didn't come to battle over herebecause of Trojans. I have no fight with them.They never stole my bulls or horsesor razed my crops in fertile Phthia, 170where heroes grow. Many shady mountains and the roaring sea stand there between us. But you, great shameless man, we came with you,to please you, to win honour from the Trojans—for you, dog face, and for Menelaus.You don't consider this, don't think at all. [160]You threaten now to confiscate the prizeI worked so hard for, gift from Achaea's sons.When we Achaeans loot some well-built Trojan town, my prizes never match the ones you get. 180The major share of war's fury rests on me. But when we hand around the battle spoils,you get much larger trophies. Worn out in war,I reach my ships with something fine but small.So I'll return home now to Phthia.It's far better to sail back in my curved ships. [170]I don't fancy staying here unvalued,to pile up riches, treasures just for you."
To that, Agamemnon, king of men, shot back:
"Fly off home then, if that's your heart's desire. 190I'll not beg you to stay on my account. I have others around to honour me,especially all-wise Zeus himself. Of all the kings Zeus cherishes, it's youI hate the most. You love constant strife—war and combat. So what if you're strong?Some god gave you that. So scurry off home.Take ships and friends. Go rule your Myrmidons. [180]I don't like you or care about your rage.But I'll make this threat: I'll take your prize, 200fair-cheeked Briseis. I'll fetch her in person. You'll see just how much I'm the better man.And others will hate to speak to me as peers, in public claiming full equality with me."
As Agamemnon spoke, Peleus' son, Achilles,was overwhelmed with anguish, heart torn two ways,debating in his shaggy chest what he should do: Should he draw out the sharp sword on his thigh, [190]incite the crowd, kill Atreus' son, or suppress his rage, control his fury? As he argued in his mind and heart, 210he slid his huge sword part way from its sheath. At that moment, Athena came down from heaven.White-armed Hera sent her. She cherished both men,cared for them equally. Athena stood behind Achilles, grabbed him by his golden hair, invisible to all except Achilles. In astonishment he turned.At once he recognized Pallas Athena, the dreadful glitter in her eyes. Achilles spoke— [200]his words had wings.
"Child of aegis-bearing Zeus,why have you come now? Do you wish to see 220how overbearing Agamemnon is?I'll tell you where all this is going to lead:that arrogance will soon cost him his life."
Glittery-eyed Athena then spoke in reply:
"I came down from heaven to curb your passion,if you obey. White-armed Hera sent me. She loves you both alike, cares equally. Give up this quarrel. Don't draw your sword. [210]Fight him with words, so he becomes disgraced.For I say to you, and this will happen, 230because of Agamemnon's arrogance some day gifts three times greater than this girlwill be set down before you. Control yourself. Obey."
Swift-footed Achilles answered Athena:
"Goddess, men should follow your instructions,though angry in their hearts. It's better so. The person who's obedient to the gods, the gods attend to all the more."
Obeying Athena's words,Achilles relaxed his huge fist on the silver hilt and pushed the massive sword back in its scabbard. 240 [220]Athena then returned to heaven, home of Zeus, who bears the aegis, and the other gods.
Achilles turned again on Agamemnon, Atreus' son, with harsh abuse, his anger still unabated:
"You drunken sot, dog-eyed, deer-timid coward,You're never strong enough within yourself to arm for war alongside other comrades, or venture with Achaea's bravest on a raid.To you that smells too much like death. No. You'd much prefer to stroll around 250throughout the wide Achaean army, to grab gifts from a man who speaks against you. [230]A king who gorges on his own people!You lord it over worthless men. If not,son of Atreus, this would be your last offence.I'll tell you, swear a great oath on this point, by this sceptre, which will never sprout leaves and shoots again, since first ripped awayfrom its mountain stump, nor bloom any more, now that bronze has sliced off leaf and bark. 260 This sceptre Achaea's sons take in hand whenever they do justice in Zeus' name.An oath on this has power. On this I swear—the time will come when Achaea's sonsall miss Achilles, a time when, in distress, [240]you'll lack my help, a time when Hector,that man killer, destroys many warriors.Then grief will tear your hearts apart,because you shamed Achaea's finest man."
So the son of Peleus spoke, throwing to the ground 270 the sceptre with the golden studs. Then he sat down, directly facing furious Agamemnon.
Achilles then, in tears, withdrew from his companions, sat by the shore, staring at the wide gray seas. Stretching out his hands, [350]he cried aloud, praying repeatedly to Thetis,his beloved mother.
"Mother, since you gave me life— 390if only for a while—Olympian Zeus, high thunderer, should give me due honour. But he doesn't grant me even slight respect. For wide-ruling Agamemnon, Atreus' son, has shamed me, has taken away my prize, appropriated it for his own use."
As he said this, he wept.His noble mother heard him from deep within the sea,where she sat by her old father. Quickly she rose up,moving above gray waters, like an ocean mist, and settled down before him, as he wept. She stroked him, 400 [360]then said::
"My child, why these tears? What sorrows weigh down your heart? Tell me, so we'll both know.Don't hide from me what's on your mind."
With a deep groan, swift-footed Achilles then replied.
"You know. Why should I tell you what you know? We came to Thebe, Eëtion's sacred city,sacked it, taking everything the city had.Achaea's sons apportioned it all fairlyamongst themselves. Agamemnon's sharewas fair-skinned Chryseis. Then Chryses arrived 410 [370]at the swift ships of bronze-armed Achaeans. Archer god Apollo's priest sought out his daughter. He brought with him an enormous ransom, carried in his hands the sacred golden staffwith the shawl of archer god Apollo.He begged Achaeans, above all Atreus' two sons,the people's leaders. All Achaeans called on themto respect the priest, accept the splendid ransom. But that didn't please Agamemnon in his heart. He sent him roughly off with harsh abusive orders. 420The old man went away again, enraged. [380]He prayed to Apollo, who loved him well. The god heard him and sent his deadly arrows against the Argives. The troops kept dying,one by one, as the god rained arrows downthroughout the wide Achaean army.The prophet Calchas, understanding all,told us Apollo's will. At once I was the firstto recommend we all appease the god.But anger got control of Agamemnon. 430He stood up on the spot and made that threat which he's just carried out. So quick-eyed Achaeans are sending Chryseis in fast ships back to Chryse, [390]transporting gifts for lord Apollo, and heralds cameto take away Briseis from my huts,the girl who is my gift from Achaea's sons.So now, if you can, protect your son.Go to Mount Olympus, implore Zeus,if ever you in word or deed have pleased him.For often I have heard you boast in father's house 440that you alone of all the deathless gods saved Zeus of the dark clouds from disgraceful ruin, when other Olympians came to tie him up, Hera, Pallas Athena, and Poseidon. [400]But you, goddess, came and set him free, by quickly calling up to high Olympus that hundred-handed monster gods call Briareos, and men all name Aigaion, a creaturewhose strength was greater than his father's.He sat down beside the son of Cronos, 450exulting in his glory. The sacred gods, afraid, stopped tying up Zeus. So sit down right by Zeus, clasp his knee, remind him of all that, so he'll want to help the Trojans somehow,corner Achaeans by the sea, by their ships' prows, have them destroyed, so they all enjoy their king, [410]so the son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, himself may see his foolishness, dishonouringAchilles, the best of the Achaeans."
Thetis, shedding tears, answered her son, Achilles: 460
"Oh my child, why did I rear you, since I brought you up to so much pain? Would you were safely by your ships dry-eyed.Your life is fated to be short—you'll not live long.Now, faced with a quick doom, you're in distress,more so than any other man. At home,I gave you life marked by an evil fate. But I'll tell these things to thunder-loving Zeus. I'll go myself to snow-topped Mount Olympus, [420]to see if he will undertake all this. 470Meanwhile, you should sit by your swift ships, angry at Achaeans. Take no part in war. For yesterday Zeus went to Oceanus,to banquet with the worthy Ethiopians. The gods all journeyed with him. In twelve days,when he returns and comes home to Olympus,I'll go to Zeus' bronze-floored house, clasp his knee.I think I'll get him to consent."
Twelve days later, the company of gods came back 550together to Olympus, with Zeus in the lead. Thetis did not forget the promise to her son. She rose up through the ocean waves at daybreak, then moved high up to great Olympus. She found Zeus,wide-seeing son of Cronos, some distance from the rest,seated on the highest peak of many-ridged Olympus.She sat down right in front of him. With her left hand, [500]she clutched his knees, with her right she cupped his chin,in supplication to lord Zeus, son of Cronos:
"Father Zeus, if, among the deathless gods, 560I've ever served you well in word or deed, then grant my prayer will be fulfilled.Bring honour to my son, who, of all men will be fate's quickest victim. For just now,Agamemnon, king of men, has shamed him.He seized his prize, robbing him in person,and kept it for himself. But honour him,Zeus, all-wise Olympian. Give the Trojansthe upper hand, until Achaeans respect my son,until they multiply his honours." 570 [510]
Thetis finished. Cloud gatherer Zeus did not respond. He sat a long time silent. Thetis held his knees, clinging close, repeating her request once more:
"Promise me truly, nod your head, or deny me—since there's nothing here for you to fear—so I'll clearly see how among all godsI enjoy the least respect."
The Iliad
Book 1
“The Rage of Achilles”
20pts
What are the different layers of the conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles? How is Agamemnon forced to take the action he does relative to Achilles, and how is Achilles forced to respond as he does? How would each character’s actions be viewed today? Who do you support and why?
Respond to both Achilles and his mother Thetis as they are presented in this section. Explain what they do and also how this affects your opinion of them.
Sing, Goddess, sing of the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus—that murderous anger which condemned Achaeansto countless agonies and threw many warrior soulsdeep into Hades, leaving their dead bodiescarrion food for dogs and birds—all in fulfillment of the will of Zeus.
Start at the point where Agamemnon, son of Atreus,that king of men, quarreled with noble Achilles.Which of the gods incited these two men to fight?
That god was Apollo, son of Zeus and Leto. 10Angry with Agamemnon, he cast plague down [10]onto the troops—deadly infectious evil.For Agamemnon had dishonoured the god's priest,Chryses, who'd come to the ships to find his daughter,Chryseis, bringing with him a huge ransom.In his hand he held up on a golden staffthe scarf sacred to archer god Apollo.He begged Achaeans, above all the army's leaders,the two sons of Atreus:
"Menelaus, Agamemnon, sons of Atreus, 20all you well-armed Achaeans, may the gods on Olympus grant you wipe out Priam's city,and then return home safe and sound.Release my dear child to me. Take this ransom. [20]Honour Apollo, far-shooting son of Zeus."
All the Achaeans roared out their support:
"Respect the priest. Take the generous ransom."
Displeased, Agamemnon dismissed Chryses roughly—
"Old man,don't let me catch you by our hollow ships, sneaking back here today or later on. 30Who cares about Apollo's scarf and staff? I'll not release the girl to you, no, not beforeshe's grown old with me in Argos, far from home, [30]working the loom, sharing my bed. Go away. If you want to get home safely, don't anger me."
For nine days Apollo rained death down upon the troops. On the tenth, Achilles summoned an assembly.White-armed Hera put that thought into his mind,concerned for the Danaans, seeing them die. 60The men gathered. The meeting came to order. Swift-footed Achilles rose to speak:
"Son of Atreus,I fear we're being beaten back, forced home,if we aren't all going to be destroyed right here, [60]with war and plague killing off Achaeans. Come now, let's ask some prophet, priest,interpreter of dreams—for dreams, too, come from Zeus—a man who might say why Apollo is so angry, whether he faults our prayers and offerings, whether somehow he'll welcome sacrificial smoke 70from perfect lambs and goats, then rouse himself and release us from this plague."
Encouraged, the wise prophet then declared:
"Apollo does not fault us for prayers or offerings, but for his priest, disgraced by Agamemnon, who did not free his daughter and take ransom. 100 That's why the archer god has brought disaster, and will bring still more. He won't remove this wretched plague from the Danaans,until we hand back bright-eyed Chryseis,give her to her beloved father, freely, without ransom, and offer holy sacrifice to Chryse. If we will carry out all that,we may change Apollo's mind, appease him." [100]
So he spoke and sat back down. Then, Atreus' son,wide-ruling, mighty Agamemnon, stood up before them, 110 incensed, spirit filled with huge black rage. Eyes blazing fire, he rounded first on Calchas:
"Prophet of evil, when have you ever saidgood things to me? You love to predict the worst,always the worst! You never show good news. Now, in prophecy to the Danaans, you say archer Apollo brings us pain [110]because I was unwilling to acceptfine ransom for Chryses' daughter, Chryseis.But I have a great desire to take her home. 120In fact, I want her more than Clytaemnestra, the wife I married. Chryseis is just as good in her shape, physique, intelligence, or work.Still, I'm prepared to give her back, if that's best.I want the people safe, not all killed off.But then you'll owe me another prize.I won't be the only Argive left without a gift. That would be entirely unfair to me. You all can see my spoils are going elsewhere." [120]
At that point, swift-footed Achilles answered the king: 130
"Noble son of Atreus, most acquisitive of men, how can brave Achaeans give you a prize now? There are none left for us to pass around. We've divided up what we allotted, loot from captured towns we devastated.For men to make a common pile againwould be most unfair. Send the girl back now, as the god demands. Should Zeus ever grantwe pillage Troy, a city rich in goods,we'll give you three or four times as much." 140
Mighty Agamemnon then said in reply: [130]
"Achilles, you're a fine man, like a god.But don't conceal what's in your heart.You'll not trick me or win me with your words.You intend to keep your prizes for yourself, while the army takes my trophy from me. That's why you tell me to give Chryseis back.Let Achaeans give me another prize, equal in value, something I'll enjoy. If not, then I'll take a prize myself by force, 150something from you or Ajax or Odysseus. The man I visit is going to be enraged. But let's postpone discussion of all this. [140]Let's drag a black ship to the sacred sea,select a crew, load oxen on for sacrifice, and Chryseis, that fair-complexioned girl. Let's have as leader some wise counselor—Idomeneus, Ajax, godlike Odysseus, or you, Peleus's son, most eminent of all,so with a sacrifice we may appease 160the god who shoots from far away."
Scowling grimly, swift-footed Achilles interposed:
"You insatiable creature, quite shameless.How can any Achaean obey you willingly— [150]join a raiding party or keep fightingwith full force against an enemy?I didn't come to battle over herebecause of Trojans. I have no fight with them.They never stole my bulls or horsesor razed my crops in fertile Phthia, 170where heroes grow. Many shady mountains and the roaring sea stand there between us. But you, great shameless man, we came with you,to please you, to win honour from the Trojans—for you, dog face, and for Menelaus.You don't consider this, don't think at all. [160]You threaten now to confiscate the prizeI worked so hard for, gift from Achaea's sons.When we Achaeans loot some well-built Trojan town, my prizes never match the ones you get. 180The major share of war's fury rests on me. But when we hand around the battle spoils,you get much larger trophies. Worn out in war,I reach my ships with something fine but small.So I'll return home now to Phthia.It's far better to sail back in my curved ships. [170]I don't fancy staying here unvalued,to pile up riches, treasures just for you."
To that, Agamemnon, king of men, shot back:
"Fly off home then, if that's your heart's desire. 190I'll not beg you to stay on my account. I have others around to honour me,especially all-wise Zeus himself. Of all the kings Zeus cherishes, it's youI hate the most. You love constant strife—war and combat. So what if you're strong?Some god gave you that. So scurry off home.Take ships and friends. Go rule your Myrmidons. [180]I don't like you or care about your rage.But I'll make this threat: I'll take your prize, 200fair-cheeked Briseis. I'll fetch her in person. You'll see just how much I'm the better man.And others will hate to speak to me as peers, in public claiming full equality with me."
As Agamemnon spoke, Peleus' son, Achilles,was overwhelmed with anguish, heart torn two ways,debating in his shaggy chest what he should do: Should he draw out the sharp sword on his thigh, [190]incite the crowd, kill Atreus' son, or suppress his rage, control his fury? As he argued in his mind and heart, 210he slid his huge sword part way from its sheath. At that moment, Athena came down from heaven.White-armed Hera sent her. She cherished both men,cared for them equally. Athena stood behind Achilles, grabbed him by his golden hair, invisible to all except Achilles. In astonishment he turned.At once he recognized Pallas Athena, the dreadful glitter in her eyes. Achilles spoke— [200]his words had wings.
"Child of aegis-bearing Zeus,why have you come now? Do you wish to see 220how overbearing Agamemnon is?I'll tell you where all this is going to lead:that arrogance will soon cost him his life."
Glittery-eyed Athena then spoke in reply:
"I came down from heaven to curb your passion,if you obey. White-armed Hera sent me. She loves you both alike, cares equally. Give up this quarrel. Don't draw your sword. [210]Fight him with words, so he becomes disgraced.For I say to you, and this will happen, 230because of Agamemnon's arrogance some day gifts three times greater than this girlwill be set down before you. Control yourself. Obey."
Swift-footed Achilles answered Athena:
"Goddess, men should follow your instructions,though angry in their hearts. It's better so. The person who's obedient to the gods, the gods attend to all the more."
Obeying Athena's words,Achilles relaxed his huge fist on the silver hilt and pushed the massive sword back in its scabbard. 240 [220]Athena then returned to heaven, home of Zeus, who bears the aegis, and the other gods.
Achilles turned again on Agamemnon, Atreus' son, with harsh abuse, his anger still unabated:
"You drunken sot, dog-eyed, deer-timid coward,You're never strong enough within yourself to arm for war alongside other comrades, or venture with Achaea's bravest on a raid.To you that smells too much like death. No. You'd much prefer to stroll around 250throughout the wide Achaean army, to grab gifts from a man who speaks against you. [230]A king who gorges on his own people!You lord it over worthless men. If not,son of Atreus, this would be your last offence.I'll tell you, swear a great oath on this point, by this sceptre, which will never sprout leaves and shoots again, since first ripped awayfrom its mountain stump, nor bloom any more, now that bronze has sliced off leaf and bark. 260 This sceptre Achaea's sons take in hand whenever they do justice in Zeus' name.An oath on this has power. On this I swear—the time will come when Achaea's sonsall miss Achilles, a time when, in distress, [240]you'll lack my help, a time when Hector,that man killer, destroys many warriors.Then grief will tear your hearts apart,because you shamed Achaea's finest man."
So the son of Peleus spoke, throwing to the ground 270 the sceptre with the golden studs. Then he sat down, directly facing furious Agamemnon.
Achilles then, in tears, withdrew from his companions, sat by the shore, staring at the wide gray seas. Stretching out his hands, [350]he cried aloud, praying repeatedly to Thetis,his beloved mother.
"Mother, since you gave me life— 390if only for a while—Olympian Zeus, high thunderer, should give me due honour. But he doesn't grant me even slight respect. For wide-ruling Agamemnon, Atreus' son, has shamed me, has taken away my prize, appropriated it for his own use."
As he said this, he wept.His noble mother heard him from deep within the sea,where she sat by her old father. Quickly she rose up,moving above gray waters, like an ocean mist, and settled down before him, as he wept. She stroked him, 400 [360]then said::
"My child, why these tears? What sorrows weigh down your heart? Tell me, so we'll both know.Don't hide from me what's on your mind."
With a deep groan, swift-footed Achilles then replied.
"You know. Why should I tell you what you know? We came to Thebe, Eëtion's sacred city,sacked it, taking everything the city had.Achaea's sons apportioned it all fairlyamongst themselves. Agamemnon's sharewas fair-skinned Chryseis. Then Chryses arrived 410 [370]at the swift ships of bronze-armed Achaeans. Archer god Apollo's priest sought out his daughter. He brought with him an enormous ransom, carried in his hands the sacred golden staffwith the shawl of archer god Apollo.He begged Achaeans, above all Atreus' two sons,the people's leaders. All Achaeans called on themto respect the priest, accept the splendid ransom. But that didn't please Agamemnon in his heart. He sent him roughly off with harsh abusive orders. 420The old man went away again, enraged. [380]He prayed to Apollo, who loved him well. The god heard him and sent his deadly arrows against the Argives. The troops kept dying,one by one, as the god rained arrows downthroughout the wide Achaean army.The prophet Calchas, understanding all,told us Apollo's will. At once I was the firstto recommend we all appease the god.But anger got control of Agamemnon. 430He stood up on the spot and made that threat which he's just carried out. So quick-eyed Achaeans are sending Chryseis in fast ships back to Chryse, [390]transporting gifts for lord Apollo, and heralds cameto take away Briseis from my huts,the girl who is my gift from Achaea's sons.So now, if you can, protect your son.Go to Mount Olympus, implore Zeus,if ever you in word or deed have pleased him.For often I have heard you boast in father's house 440that you alone of all the deathless gods saved Zeus of the dark clouds from disgraceful ruin, when other Olympians came to tie him up, Hera, Pallas Athena, and Poseidon. [400]But you, goddess, came and set him free, by quickly calling up to high Olympus that hundred-handed monster gods call Briareos, and men all name Aigaion, a creaturewhose strength was greater than his father's.He sat down beside the son of Cronos, 450exulting in his glory. The sacred gods, afraid, stopped tying up Zeus. So sit down right by Zeus, clasp his knee, remind him of all that, so he'll want to help the Trojans somehow,corner Achaeans by the sea, by their ships' prows, have them destroyed, so they all enjoy their king, [410]so the son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, himself may see his foolishness, dishonouringAchilles, the best of the Achaeans."
Thetis, shedding tears, answered her son, Achilles: 460
"Oh my child, why did I rear you, since I brought you up to so much pain? Would you were safely by your ships dry-eyed.Your life is fated to be short—you'll not live long.Now, faced with a quick doom, you're in distress,more so than any other man. At home,I gave you life marked by an evil fate. But I'll tell these things to thunder-loving Zeus. I'll go myself to snow-topped Mount Olympus, [420]to see if he will undertake all this. 470Meanwhile, you should sit by your swift ships, angry at Achaeans. Take no part in war. For yesterday Zeus went to Oceanus,to banquet with the worthy Ethiopians. The gods all journeyed with him. In twelve days,when he returns and comes home to Olympus,I'll go to Zeus' bronze-floored house, clasp his knee.I think I'll get him to consent."
Twelve days later, the company of gods came back 550together to Olympus, with Zeus in the lead. Thetis did not forget the promise to her son. She rose up through the ocean waves at daybreak, then moved high up to great Olympus. She found Zeus,wide-seeing son of Cronos, some distance from the rest,seated on the highest peak of many-ridged Olympus.She sat down right in front of him. With her left hand, [500]she clutched his knees, with her right she cupped his chin,in supplication to lord Zeus, son of Cronos:
"Father Zeus, if, among the deathless gods, 560I've ever served you well in word or deed, then grant my prayer will be fulfilled.Bring honour to my son, who, of all men will be fate's quickest victim. For just now,Agamemnon, king of men, has shamed him.He seized his prize, robbing him in person,and kept it for himself. But honour him,Zeus, all-wise Olympian. Give the Trojansthe upper hand, until Achaeans respect my son,until they multiply his honours." 570 [510]
Thetis finished. Cloud gatherer Zeus did not respond. He sat a long time silent. Thetis held his knees, clinging close, repeating her request once more:
"Promise me truly, nod your head, or deny me—since there's nothing here for you to fear—so I'll clearly see how among all godsI enjoy the least respect."
Monday, May 11, 2009
Rough Draft
Monday and Tuesday of this week will be spent in the library where students can work on their rough drafts. They will also have Wednesday in class to work. I will provide individual assisstance as needed. Students should use their completed outlines as a guide for writing their rough drafts. This assignment is due Friday.
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