We covered the following in class on Tuesday and Wednesday:
The Iliad-“The Arms of Achilles” Book 18-20pts
Write a reaction to Achilles’ behavior when he learns of Patroclus’ death. Where does he focus his rage? Is this appropriate? How important is the feud with Agamemnon?
"Son of warlike Peleus,you must hear this dreadful news—somethingI wish weren't so—Patroclus lies dead. [20]Men are fighting now around the body.He's stripped. Hector with his gleaming helmethas the armour."
Antilochus finished speaking.A black cloud of grief swallowed up Achilles.With both hands he scooped up soot and dust and poured iton his head, covering his handsome face with dirt,covering his sweet-smelling tunic with black ash. 30He lay sprawling—his mighty warrior's massive bodycollapsed and stretched out in the dust. With his hands,he tugged at his own hair, disfiguring himself.The women slaves acquired as battle trophiesby Achilles and Patroclus, hearts overwhelmed with anguish, began to scream aloud. They rushed outsideand beat their breasts around warlike Achilles. [30]Then all the women's legs gave way, and they fell down.Across from them, Antilochus lamented,eyes full of tears, as he held Achilles by the hand. 40 Achilles' noble heart moaned aloud. Antilochusfeared he might hurt himself or slit his throatwith his own sword. Achilles gave a huge cry of grief.His noble mother heard it from the ocean depthswhere she was sitting by her ancient father.She began to wail. Then around her gatheredall the divine daughters of Nereus deep in the sea—Glauce, Thaleia, Cymodoce, Nesaea,Speio, Thoe, ox-eyed Halië, Cymothoë, [40]Actaia, Limnoreia, Melite, Iaera, 50Amphithoe, Agave, Doto, Proto,Pherousa, Dynamene, Dexamene,Amphinome, Callianeira, Doris, Panope,lovely Galatea, Nemertes, Apseudes,Callianassa. Also there were Clymene,Ianeira, Ianassa, Maera, Orithyia,Amatheia with her lovely hair, and others,Nereus' daughters living in the ocean depths.They filled the glistening cave, beating their breasts. [50]
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"Yes, Mother,Olympian Zeus has indeed accomplishedwhat I asked. But what pleasure's there for me, [80]when Patroclus, my beloved companion,has been destroyed, the man I honouredas my equal, above all my comrades. 100I've lost him and the armour, which Hector took,once he'd killed him, that massive armour,so wonderful to look at, which the godsgave as a priceless gift to Peleuson that day they placed you in the bedof a mortal man. If only you had stayedamong the eternal maidens of the seaand Peleus had married a mortal wife.But now there'll be innumerable sorrowswaiting for your heart, once your child is killed. 110You won't be welcoming him back home again. [90]My own heart has no desire to live on,to continue living among men,unless Hector is hit by my spear first,losing his life and paying me compensationfor killing Menoetius' son, Patroclus."
Through her tears, Thetis then answered Achilles:
"My son, from what you've just been saying,you're fated to an early death, for your doomcomes quickly as soon as Hector dies." 120
Swift-footed Achilles answered her with passion:
"Then let me die, since I could not preventthe death of my companion.
How does Achilles turn the tide of battle without even fighting? What promise does he make to Patroclus?
He strode from the wall, then stood there by the ditch.But recalling what his mother said to him,he didn't mingle with Achaeans. As he stood there,he cried out. From far away, Pallas Athena 270added her voice, too, causing great consternationamong the Trojans. As thrilling as a trumpet's notewhen it rings clearly, when rapacious enemies [220]besiege a city—that's how sharp and piercingAchilles' voice was then. When the Trojans heard it,that brazen shout Achilles gave, all their heartswere shaken. Their horses with the lovely manesturned back the chariots, anticipating troublein their hearts. Charioteers were terrified, seeingthe fearful inextinguishable fire blazing 280from the head of the great-hearted son of Peleus.For Athena, goddess with the glittering eyes,kept it burning. Three times godlike Achilles yelledacross that ditch. Three times Trojans and their allieswere thrown into confusion. At that moment, twelve of their best men were killed by their own chariots [230]and their own spears. Achaeans then, with stronger hearts,pulled Patroclus out of spear range and laid him on a cot.His dear companions gathered mourning round him,Achilles with them, shedding hot tears when he saw 290his loyal companion lying on a death bed,mutilated by sharp bronze. He'd sent him out to warwith chariot and horses, but never welcomed himat his return.
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And now, Patroclus, since I'm journeyingunder the earth after you, I'll postponeyour burial till I bring here Hector's head,his armour, too, the man who slaughtered you,you courageous man. I'll cut the throats 420of twelve fine Trojan children on your pyre,in my anger at your killing. Till that time,you'll lie like this with me by my beaked ships,and round you Trojan and Dardanian womenwill keep lamenting night and day, shedding tears, [340]the very women we two worked hard to winwith our strength and our long spears, by lootingprosperous cities of mortal men."
The Iliad-Books 19 & 20-20pts
“Achilles and Agamemnon”
How has the relationship between Achilles and Agamemnon changed? What do Achilles and Odysseus have a slight disagreement about? What does this say about their personalities? What is Achilles’ focus? Provide a line for support.
Swift-footed Achilles then answered Agamemnon:
"Most glorious son of Atreus, Agamemnon,king of men, if you wish to give me presents,as is appropriate, or to withhold them,that's up to you. Now we must think of war,and with all speed. We should not be wasting timein conversation or with such delays.We have great work to do, so once again [150]men see Achilles with the front-line warriors, 190destroying the Trojans' ranks with his bronze spear.Keep this in mind when you confront your man."
Resourceful Odysseus then addressed Achilles:
"Though you're a brave man, god-like Achilles,don't encourage Achaea's sons to fightagainst the Trojans on empty stomachs.If so, the fight won't last for long if troopsengage right now, once some god infuses strengthinto both sides. No. Instruct Achaeansto have some food and wine by their swift ships. 200 [160]For they give strength and courage. No soldiercan fight the enemy all day till sunsetwithout some food. However fierce his heartmay be for battle, his limbs grow heavywithout his knowledge. Once thirst and hungerovertake him, his knees get tired as he moves.But the man who's had sufficient food and winefights all day long against his enemieswith a courageous heart. His limbs don't tireuntil all warriors have left the battle. 210 [170]So dismiss your men. Tell them to make a meal.
Swift-footed Achilles then replied to Agamemnon:
For now,all those killed by Hector, son of Priam,when Zeus gave him glory, are lying there,all mangled, and you are urging us to eat!For my part, I'd lead Achaea's sons to warright now, unfed, with empty stomachs,then at sunset make them a great dinner,when we've avenged our shame. Until that time,no drink or food will pass my throat, at least, 260 [210]while my dead comrade lies inside my hut,mutilated by sharp bronze, with his feetstill pointing at the door, while his companionsmourn there around him. That's why my heartcannot concern itself with what you've said, only with killing, blood, men's dying groans
This is the beginning of Achilles’ aristeia. What heroic qualities does he display?
Achilles leapt among the Trojans, his heart wrapped in battle fury.First he killed Iphition, Otrynteus' brave son,who commanded many men. A Naiad nymph bore him 460to Otrynteus, sacker of cities, in Hyde,a fertile land, below snow-covered Mount Tmolus.As he charged right at him, godlike Achillesstruck Iphition with his spear squarely in the head,splitting his skull apart. He fell with a crash.Godlike Achilles then cried out in triumph:
"Lie there, son of Otrynteus, of all menthe one we fear the most. Here you die. [390]You were born beside the Gygaean lake,on your father's land, by the fish-filled Hyllus 470and the swirling Hermus rivers."
Achilles triumphed. But down on Iphition's eyesthe darkness fell, and then, in the first attack,Achaean wheel rims on the chariots ripped him up.After him, Achilles went for Demoleon,Antenor's son, a brave defensive fighter, hitting the bronze cheek armour on his helmet.But that didn't check the spear—it smashed through,breaking his skull, splattering all his brains inside.That stopped his fighting charge. Then Hippodamas 480 [400]jumped down out of his chariot to flee Achilles.But Achilles speared him in the back. As he died,panting his life away, he screamed—just as a bull roars,when it's pulled around the altar of Poseidon,lord of Helice, the Earthshaker, who delightsin those young lads who drag the beast—in just that wayHippodamas bellowed then, as his noble spiritslipped out from his bones. Then Achilles with his spearattacked noble Polydorus, son of Priam.His father would not let Polydorus fight, 490for of all his children he was the youngest born, the one most loved. He was the fastest runner, too. [410]Now, like a fool, he was showing off his speed,sprinting through front lines until he lost his life.As he ran past, swift-footed godlike Achillesthrew his spear into the middle of his back,where the golden belt clasps joined togetheron the overlapping body armour. The spear point,going straight through, came out his navel. With a scream,he fell onto his knees. Then black cloud enveloped him. 500As he collapsed, his guts spilled out into his hands.
When Hector saw his brother Polydorus there,down on the ground, collapsed and holding his own entrails, [420]a mist flowed right across his eyes. He could no longerbear to keep his distance. He moved against Achilles,waving his sharp spear, just like a flame. Achilles,when he saw him, jumped out and roared in triumph:
"He's getting closer—the very manwho scarred my heart more than all other men.We won't be evading one another 510in the battle lanes much longer."
As he said this, Achilles scowled at godlike Hector,then yelled at him:
"Come closer,so you can meet your fatal doom more quickly."
Hector of the shining helmet, quite unafraid, [430]then cried out to Achilles:
"Son of Peleus,don't try to frighten me with words, as ifI were some child. I, too, know well enoughhow to shout out taunting words and insults.I know you're brave, stronger than me by far. 520 But these things are in the lap of the gods. Though I'm the weaker man, I'll take your life,with one throw of my spear, for in the pastit's proved it's sharp enough."
With these words,Hector raised his spear and threw it. But Athena,with the slightest puff of breath, blew it aside,away from glorious Achilles, turning it back to godlike Hector. It landed there beside his feet. [440]Then, with a terrifying shout, Achilles charged,lusting to kill. But Apollo snatched up Hector, 530something a god can do with ease, then hid himin thick cloud. Swift-footed, godlike Achillescharged that cloud three times, striking hard each timewith his bronze spear. When for the fourth timehe came on like a god with a terrific shout,Achilles cried out these winged words to Hector:
"You dog—once more you're evading death for now. But you've narrowly escaped disaster.Phoebus Apollo has saved you one more time. [450]No doubt you always pray to him as you go 540 out into the sound of thudding spears.Next time we meet, I'll surely finish you,if some god is there to assist me, too.For now I'll fight the others, any manI chance to meet."
Achilles finished shouting.Then he struck Dryops with his spear right in the neck.Dryops fell at Achilles' feet. But he left him there.Next, Achilles stopped Demouchus, Philetor's son, a big brave warrior, with a spear thrust in his knee.Then he hit him with his massive sword, taking his life. 550After that, he went at Dardanus and Laogonus,both sons of Bias, throwing them out of their chariot [460]onto the ground. He hit one of them with his spearand slashed the other at close quarters with his sword.
Then Tros, Alastor's son, fell at Achilles knees,clutching them, begging him to spare his life, to capture him alive, instead of killing him,moved by pity for a man the same age as himself.What a fool! He did not know there was no wayto change Achilles' mind—he was not a tender man 560with a soft heart, but full of fighting rage. With his handsTros tried to clutch Achilles' knees, desperateto plead for mercy, but Achilles' sword struck himin his liver, which slid out from the wound. Black blood, pouring from the gash, filled up his lap. [470]Then darkness veiled his eyes, and his spirit left him.
Next, Achilles moved up to Mulius and with his spearstruck him on the ear. The bronze point, driven in hard,came out his other ear. Then he hit Echeclus,Agenor's son, with his hilted sword right on his head. 570The blood made the whole blade hot. Then dark death,his powerful fate, came down across his eyes.Next, Achilles hit Deucalion—his bronze spear pointstruck him in the arm where tendons meet the elbow.His arm now useless, Deucalion stood there waiting, [480]staring death right in the face. Achilles hit himwith his sword blade in the neck, slicing off his head.He knocked the head and the helmet far away.From Deucalion's spine the marrow spurted out,as his body lay there, stretched out on the ground. 580Next, Achilles, after chasing the noble son of Peires,Rhigmus, who'd come from fertile Thrace, hit himwith a spear throw in the gut, fixing the bronzefirmly in his belly. Rhigmus fell from his chariot.His attendant, Areithous, wheeled the horses round, but Achilles' sharp spear struck him in the backand threw him from the chariot. The horses bolted.
Just as a terrifying fire rages through deep woods [490]on a parched mountain, burning dense stands of trees,as the driving wind blows flames to every spot, 590that how Achilles, like a god, raged with his spear,attacking and killing men all through the fight.The dark earth ran with blood. Just as a man yokes oxen,big bulls, wide in the shoulder, to grind barleyon a well-built threshing floor, and lowing oxenquickly flatten all the grain, that how brave Achillesdrove his sure-footed horses to trample on the deadand on their shields as well. The chariot axle underneathgot sprayed with blood. Blood soaked the chariot rails, [500]thrown up in gouts from horses' hooves and wheel rims. 600But Peleus' son pushed on to win more glory, blood spattered over his all-conquering hands[H1] .
